Fraternity Vacation

Director: James Frawley Year: 1985 Cast: Tim Robbins, Evil Ed, that guy from Hamburger…the Motion Picture, the dad from Alf, Marcy D'Arcy, Nick Lassard, Dean Wormer, and Walker Texas Ranger's wench. In attempt to capitalize on the zany 70's and 80's late night comedy craze, James Frowley assembled an ensemble cast of characters in order to enlighten the imagination of every teenage boy in the US. Tim Robbins plays Larry "Mother" Tucker, a frat brother who has taken fledgling nerd Wendell under his wing with the mission of getting him laid per the request of Willie Tanner. I guess it makes sense why Alf was always chasing after that *. The movie falls flat on its face many times even though the cast play their all to familiar roles all too well. It is as though Dean Wormer found a new job as police chief after leaving the hallowed halls of Faber College. The premise is simple and rehashed a million times over. Boys go on spring break. Herpes jokes occur. Boys meet the love interest (Sherre J. Wilson). Boys bet on who can bang her first. Nerdy guy goes on dates. No one humps the hot chick until Evil Ed woos here with his sweetness the end. The cast moons the camera. (How come no one moons any more?) This movie contains two of the more flat-chested women in the history of cinema. Wilson and Amanda Bearse could group all four of their hooters together and still would not have enough sweater meat to fill a ketchup packet. What was the deal with women who had 13 year old boy bodies being cast as the lead in the 80's, Kelly McGillis (wink, wink). There is essentially no one here who takes my breath away except for: Kathleen Kinmont's * make this movie worthwhile. They are the type of knockers that make a grown man like Celine Dion music. I would wander aimlessly in the desert for 15 years with shoes filled with broken glass just to lick the sweat off her bikini. Wick! All in all, the movie is worth watching if you enjoy the late night comedies and perfect *, or you could search Kathleen's yam bags. I leave you with a line from the movie that sums up the the film best: "I guess a * in the parking lot is out of the question!"

Some of these films stand out more so than others, but this mid 80s college / teenage sex comedy attempt "Fraternity Vacation" doesn't do a whole to stay in one's memory when compared to most of these type of films. Little is talked about it, as for most part it's rather uninspired and tame, outside the best cheeky sequence involving Barbra Crampton and Kathleen Kilmont getting their kits off. Instead the raunchiness that could have erupted tended to focus more so being soft- hearted led by its charmingly gawky and honest performance by Stephen Geoffrey's. Along for the summer time fun in Palm Springs is some familiar faces with a great ensemble cast in Tim Robbins, Cameron Dye, Sheree J. Wilson (who simply looks gorgeous), Amanda Bearse, Matt McCoy and the rib-tickling John Vernon as the town's stringent sheriff. The jokes are familiar and the scenarios predictable in its premise of the frog getting his princess, but the script is witty enough, pacing moves at a fast clip and the cast etch out amusing performances. "We do everything together."

I remember Fraternity Vacation being a pleasant comedy. Two college frat boys (Tim Robbins as Larry, and Cameron Dye as Joe) take advantage of their friend, nerdy Wendell's (Stephen Geoffreys) generous hospitality when he invites them to share his father's beachside condo for Spring Break. Larry and Joe see it as the perfect opportunity for one thing: picking up girls. And, on the side, to Wendell find a women, too. It is the typical 80s virgin theme and the attempts by horny young men to help themselves (or in this case, their friends) lose his virginity to (hopefully) some beautiful beach bimbo. Only, Larry and Joe are not at all subtle about what they want and Wendell, who is more of a careful romantic, actually has more success. It is a beach romp with something of a heart of gold finale for our kind main character, Wendell. So, aside from the typical *, beers, and parties prevalent in these types of 80s comedies, there is also something for female viewers to appreciate, at least through some of Larry and Joe's dimwitted hijinks or Wendell's sincerity and (eventually) happy ending. It is sort of a male version of 'Shag.' Give it a try if you can find it.

White suits college and chicks, the s***, shame for many of us this only a fantasy. No where near believeable, this movie dishes out a lot of crap for us to try and swallow, it was shallow and amterial, I loved every second of it

Party hearty frat boys Joe (amiable Cameron Dye) and Mother (a lively portrayal by a pre-stardom Tim Robbins) go to Palm Springs, California for Easter spring break. The hopelessly nerdy Wendell (the singular Stephen Geoffreys in peak endearingly gawky'n'geeky form) tags along. Joe and Mother make a bet with two rival frat guys on who will score first with enticing, yet elusive local stunner Ashley Taylor (a luminous turn by the luscious Sheree J. Wilson). Director James Frawley keeps the pace moving along at a snappy clip and maintains a good-natured goofball tone throughout. Lindsay Harrison's blithely silly script not only manages to keep the expected cheerfully lowbrow humor on the right side of raucous and raunchy, but also offers a surprising amount of heart and sweetness. Moreover, it's a real treat to see Wendell overcome his own bumbling timidity and emerge victorious at the very end. The spirited acting by the appealing cast keeps the movie humming: Dye and Robbins make for likable leads, Leigh McCloskey and Matt McCoy are perfectly slimy as the jerky rival frat dudes, Amanda Bearse radiates a sunny charm as the perky Nicole Ferret, and John Vernon really sinks his teeth into his trademark crusty killjoy authority figure role of the strict and uptight Chief Ferret. Britt Ekland has an amusing bit as foxy barmaid Eyvette. Of course, Barbara Crampton and Kathleen Kinmont both make a strong and sexy impression baring their delectable wares in a joint * scene that has justifiably acquired legendary status amongst celebrity skin aficionados. Paul Ryan's crisp cinematography provides an attractive bright look. Brad Fiedel's funky syncopated score and the cool rock soundtrack keep things bouncing along. A real fun lightweight flick.

I thought this movie was great! As a college student it's nice to see someone's fantasy of what college should be like--a trip to the beach with nothing on your mind but having a good time. Tim Robbins is hysterical in his role, as is the rest of the cast--why don't we hear of it more?

"Fraternity Vacation" was released in 1985, around the time that the youth-oriented sex comedy genre had long peaked and the audience had drifted towards movies coming from other genres. It did nothing to revitalize the genre, and it's pretty easy to see why. When it comes to sex and nudity, the movie disappoints - there isn't that much nudity, and the one instance of sex happens off camera. The movie also disappoints when it comes to comedy. The humor is lamebrained and unimaginative, with many so-called gags easy to predict long before they happen. And Palm Springs comes across as the most boring party spot in the United States. To top it off, the characters are dumb and unsympathetic. That is, except for the nerd character. The nerd actually generates some sympathy despite his clueless and awkwardness. And in the climax of the movie, when he's talking to the movie's dream woman, there is actually a lot of sweetness generated. Maybe if the movie had dropped plans to be a sex comedy, and instead focused on these two characters meeting and getting to know each other, the movie would be a lot better than it is now.

I'm prime form, "Fraternity Vacation" proves to be the sleeper knockout shot of the mid-80's. Unlike other fraternity movies, "Fraternity Vacation" provides us with a slightly darker, more intimate side of the party animal lifestyle. I would compare this introspective comedy to classics such as "M.A.S.H." of even the great "Annie Hall" (blasphomy!). I make these comparisons based on the fact that "Fraternity Vacation" digs a little deeper into the motives and psyche of the frat boy. Why do they behave this way? How do their actions reflect youth culture as a whole? At what point will fun turn into consequences? These are all questions that "Fraternity Vacation" attempts to answerer. It sometimes gets a little to deep to the point where it gives the film a gritty feel, but it always maintains a lofty, fun vibe that carries through out the movie. With the Academy Award winning acting caliber of Tim Robbins behind it, "Fraternity Vacation" has the ability to make the viewer laugh and think at the same time.

This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen, yet it was still entertaining. It represents everything that was bad in the 80's: sex comedies, college or high school related "exploitation" movies, "resort" movies. To some people it might be "delightfully" bad. This is why I'm not going to completely diss this goofy movie. You know the plot, you've seen it in other movies of this genre. A group of college kids are going on a vacation with only one thing on their mind: sex. The rest of the movie is just useless frills. What makes this movie so appealing [ yeah, there is some kind of appeal to it.. ] is the fact that it's so goofy and stupid. If this movie was made today, it would probably be offensive. Oh, another good point: the main character who is a shy innocent charming nerd who doesn't know much about girls. [ aww ] If you just want an awful movie to watch with your friends and laugh at, this might be a good choice.

Trivial, surprisingly tame and unsurprisingly moronic sex comedy, a typical product of the 80's. One of those insignificant little pictures that are not worth seeking out to see, but are good-natured enough to be pretty painless experiences if you actually find yourself watching them. Not exactly the kind of movie you expect to see Tim Robbins starring in, but I guess he really needed the work. (*1/2)