80s cult films are del.icio.us
Cult Film Better Off Dead
“Teenage life has never been darker...or funnier...”Released: October 11th, 1985
Director: Savage Steve Holland
Better Off Dead Actors
John Cusack plays Lane MeyerDiane Franklint plays Monique
Dan Schneider plays Danny Noonan
Curtis Armstrong plays Charles De Mar Demian Slade plays Johnny Gasparini (aka the "TWO DOLLARS" Paperboy
Better Off Dead Plot Summary
Better Off Dead is a cult film that takes place in the fictional town of Greendale in "the state of Northern California" and centers on high-schooler Lane Meyer (cult film icon John Cusack), whose girlfriend Beth (played by Amanda Wyss) dumps him for the arrogant and bullying captain of the high school ski team, Roy Stalin. Lane cannot get past this rejection and decides that death is the only way out of his misery. His half-hearted attempts at suicide, however, always manage to leave him alive, with comedic consequences.Lane's family is odd; his mother (Kim Darby), a sort of deranged Stepford wife, may be the world's worst cook, and his genius little brother never speaks, but can build laser guns and attract trashy women. Lane's best friend (Curtis Armstrong, also seen in cult classic movie Revenge of the Nerds) attempts to inhale everyday substances, like whipped cream or snow, as if they were cocaine. The film also introduces two Korean drag racing brothers, one of whom learned English by impersonating Howard Cosell.
As Lane attempts to either end his life or win back his ex-girlfriend, he gradually gets to know a new girl: a French foreign-exchange student named Monique (played by Diane Franklin, who also starred in other 80's cult movies The Last American Virgin and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure). She is staying with Lane's neighbors across the street, who are so annoying that she pretends she cannot speak English. Monique turns out to be a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers (as she calls them) and is a tough, confident soul. She helps Lane fix up his 1967 Camaro (find out what happened to it in our 80s cult movie links section), and rekindles Lane's confidence and will to live through "language lessons" in the international language of love.
The climactic scene involves a ski competition against the ski jock Roy Stalin on a treacherous slope called the K-12. As the two rivals race, a persistent paperboy pursues Cusack, repeating that he wants his two dollars (spawning the catchphrase, "I want my two dollars!" which has become more well-known than the cult film itself). As Lane races down the mountain on one ski, he overcomes a life gone downhill to find happiness
