Animal House (1978)

Delta and Omega

Part of what made NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE so beloved when it came out in 1978 was its spirit of anarchy, embodied by John Belushi as the frat house hero Bluto Blutarsky; people who have heard about the film who watch it for the first time may be surprised how few lines he actually has in it (still, he seems to preside). The film's climax, which involves the title fraternity of Delta House wreaking utter havoc on a parade in their college's small town is nothing more than a celebration of the pleasures of pure chaos, and the film is at its funniest when it shows the rules of society utterly breaking down. The plot mechanism, which has been celebrated countless times since, is that the more the evil Dean Wormer (John Vernon, having a grand old time with a scenery-chewing performance) imposes restrictions on Delta House, the more wild their counterresponse. The film's popularity centered upon the beer bashes, food fights, toga parties, and roadtrips that get completely out of hand.

Yet watching it again, it is amazing that despite the film's celebration of anarchy the two central figures are really the two smug frathouses smoothies, Otter and Boon (Tim Matheson and Peter Riegert) who smirk and ooze their way through the plot and are responsible for most of the story's machinations. They're not very funny, and are the direct ancestors of such similarly insufferable entitled rich boys from film comedy as Ferris Bueller and Van Wilder. Certainly Otter and Boon are better than their despicable counterparts in the Omega fraternity (who enjoy mocking fat pledges and scheming with the Dean); the film constantly sets it up spatially (particularly in the student court's hearing scene) as if these are the only two possible choices in life: you're either a Delta, or you're an Omega. This seems to belie the spirit of social anarchy the film elsewhere so happily and rudely celebrates. The likable and funny two actors who begin the film, Tom Hulce and Steven Furst, as Pinto and Flounder, skate right past this uncomfortableness, as does the wonderful comic actress Martha Smith as a Southern-belle co-ed (she has some of the film's funniest moments). August 20, 2008

Tour de Force

There are few films I treasure as much as Animal House. It is to creative comedy what Mozart is to music. I've seen it about 20 times and used to sneak out past my bedtime during childhood to watch it on our family room's television. Every performance--particularly Belushi's, Matheson's, Hulce's and Furst's--was outstanding. Every character resonates and the send up of the fraternity system changed our culture. Animal House is gloriously politically incorrect and harkens back to a time when we used to accept the inconsistency, selfishness, and unpredictability of human nature. Of course, you don't have to appreciate it for high-minded reasons because it's a rollicking laugh riot and it lifts your spirits. June 11, 2008

National Lampoon's Animal House

This DVD is a classic. It was fun watching this again, last time seeing it at the theatre and a couple of times on TV. I would recommend it to anyone that was in college in the 60's or 70's. May 3, 2008

Wild with Traditional 70's-style Humor

This is a classic that no one can afford to miss out on. It's for all generations as long as the viewer is old enough for an "R" film.

See Belushi at his best. The film has well known actors and those who play good support roles.

It's a superb film for Tim Matheson. He's got a great role as do others who fit in excellently with the dialogue and scenes. You'll be rolling on your couch, even if you've got a son considering joining a frat. March 12, 2008

Animal House

The comedy of a generation takes place at Faber College during the Kennedy era. Delta House is the worst fraternity on campus. Its members are known for sex, drinking and bad grades. The assortment of misfits is recognizable. John Belushi is the class clown: "7 years of college down the drain!" Otter is the ladies' man who beds the dean's wife. Neidermeyer is the gung ho ROTC officer: "Drop and give me 20!" Boone and Katy are the incompatible couple. Donald Sutherland is the English teacher having an affair with Katy. Dean Wormer's attempt to crack down on Delta is in vain. They simply go on a road trip or have a toga party. Even the statue of the college founder is funny: "Knowledge is good."

February 26, 2008

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