Weird Science
Directed by John Hughes
- comedy
- fantasy
- science fiction
- romance
The story
Two unpopular teenagers, Gary and Wyatt, fail at all attempts to be accepted by their peers. Their desperation to be liked leads them to "create" a woman via their computer. Their living and breathing creation is a gorgeous woman, Lisa, whose purpose is to boost their confidence level by putting them into situations which require Gary and Wyatt to act like men.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated 1980s suburban daylight, with the glossy, slightly overlit look of a teen comedy shot on 35mm: pastel bedrooms, chrome and neon at night, and Chicago's flat grey-blue skies giving way to sudden, cartoonish sunshine whenever things turn absurd. The camera stays mostly conventional and lively, with quick cuts, playful pushes into faces and gags that land on a held reaction. The score is synth-pop and rock-driven, bright and bouncy, with the drum-machine pulse of mid-80s soundtracks carrying the energy from one scene to the next. The mood is lighthearted, goofy and mischievous, with a whimsical streak that lets the impossible feel like good fun rather than threat. Pacing is brisk and episodic, with a steady run of set pieces and sight gags, and the emotional arc follows two awkward boys gaining confidence and learning to stand up for themselves. Intensity is low: some crude teen humour, a few bar and party scenes with mild rowdiness, a biker gang that is more slapstick than menacing, and a fair amount of innuendo and skimpy-outfit comedy, but no real violence or gore. Fun for anyone wanting an easy, silly, nostalgic comedy, especially a comfort rewatch on a lazy afternoon.
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