One of Matthew Broderick’s Best Roles Is a Character Ferris Bueller Would’ve Hated

The big picture

• Ferris Bueller embodies teenage rebellion, while Mr. McCallister by Matthew Broderick a
  choice
  represents the opposite.
• Both films feature satisfying conclusions with the downfall of the antagonists, creating comic relief for the audience.
• Tracy Flick and Ferris Bueller may have respected each other's approach to life, while the lack of growth of Mr. McCallister contrasts with Ferris's ideology.

It's hard not to look Matthew Broderick and we still see Ferris Bueller, even 38 years after the film's release. Broderick's performance a by John Hughes basic teenage classic Ferris Bueller's day off is one of the most iconic cinematic performances, not just of the 80s but of all time. Ferris Bueller is boyish charisma personified, and Broderick brought a lot of life to the film with his energetic yet controlled performance. He made Ferris Bueller aspirational and likeable. There was nothing Ferris hated more than uptight authority figures, and this makes the role of Broderick in Alexander Payne choice 13 years later even more interesting. Broderick plays Jim McCallister, a clumsy, self-absorbed and bitter high school teacher. There's no doubt that Ferris would have turned to the camera and told us how drunk Mr. McCallister and how he hated teachers like him. It is clear that if Mr. McCallister had been a teacher at Ferris Bueller's school, the two would not have gotten in.

Ferris Bueller is the leader of the teenage rebellion

Ferris Bueller represents teenage rebellion against authority. He may be one of the quintessential cultural figures of the 80s, but even today, his impact can be felt by anyone who watches Ferris Bueller's day off. Much of the film's agelessness must be attributed to Ferris' complete control and understanding of Matthew Broderick's character. Ferris leads the teenage revolution to have fun and live each day to its fullest potential, and Ferris becomes a guide for the audience on how to do just that. This is done by pointing it directly at the camera and showing how Ferris is in complete control of every situation. The public trusts Bueller and therefore commits to his ideology.

Ferris' conviction is important in creating the dynamic between him and Director Rooney (Jeffrey Jones). Rooney is the obvious antagonist of the film, acting as the complete opposite of Ferris and representing a strict compliance. He has an overwhelming disdain for Ferris and his actions and spends the entire film trying to get over him, but to no avail. Ferris consistently proves he's one step ahead. The film at the beginning sees Ferris calling Rooney's office while Rooney is on the phone with Sloane (My Sarah) father, who thinks he's Ferris but is actually his best friend, Cameron (Alan Ruck). From the beginning, Ferris Bueller's day off frames Ferris as a character who takes great pleasure in making a fool of miserable old people who exploit their power over children. Rooney is dogmatic in his standards and strict in his interpretation of the rules, and Ferris represents the exact antithesis. He is the epitome of teenage rebellion and goes against everything Rooney exemplifies. The movie makes it clear that Ferris Bueller doesn't like anyone standing in the way of his mantra of living life without regrets.

Matthew Broderick's role in “Election” is a big jump from Ferris Bueller

Satirical comedy by Alexander Payne choice sees Broderick take on a role that couldn't be further from Ferris Bueller, and actually feels more in line with Ed Rooney. Broderick's Jim McCallister is certainly a character that Ferris would have hated and rebelled against. At the beginning of choice, he is shown to have a good relationship with some of the students and seems to genuinely like them. However, like Rooney, he has a personal vendetta against a student, and this leads him to do heinous things. He doesn't just walk into a house, like Rooney does Ferris Bueller's day offbut he is selfish and uses his position of power in an exploitative way, putting the future of a particular student in jeopardy.

This student is Tracy Flick (Reece Witherspoon), who is initially portrayed with such extremity that her eagerness and drive feel cartoonish. It means you gravitate towards McCallister and try to rationalize his actions. Broderick's partnership with Buller helps and helps choice disorient the audience. He throws Tracy's election signatures in the trash, succumbing to his annoyance at her constant innuendo. Another student, Paul Metzler (Chris Klein), ran against her in the student elections for democratic integrity. However, as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that Mr. McCallister come from strong feelings of contempt for Tracy, which align with how Rooney feels about Ferris.

Interestingly, Tracy Flick as a character represents more the ideas shared by director Rooney, not Ferris. Where Ferris Bueller represents teenage rebellion and fun without adult consent, Tracy Flick represents compliance; she is by the book and focused in her mindset. However, her assertive nature would probably have led Ferris to respect her position, and while they may not have been friends, they would have had a mutual understanding. Flick isn't mean, she's just sure of herself and stands up for her morals. Both Ferris and Tracy have an aura of control about them, it's just their approach to life that's different. Watching Tracy's disdain for Mr. McCallister in the film's climax gives an idea of ​​how Ferris would have seen it as well.

“Election” and “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” have satisfying conclusions

Both of us Ferris Bueller's day off i choice they feature the downfall of the main antagonist and this moment is deeply satisfying for the hero and the audience. The actions of Mr. McCallister and Rooney are so unforgivable that you want them to succeed. The film frames them as social outcasts by the climax and uses physicality to represent their separation. For Rooney, this comes when he gets kicked by Ferris' sister Jeanie (Jennifer Gray) in the face, with amplified cartoon sound effects. This is complete with his car being towed, leaving him stranded. It's all done in a creepy way compared to Ferris' smooth and effortless persona. Mr. McCallister's downfall is equally absurd, as he heads to an out-of-town motel to meet a woman who isn't his wife. A bee lands on him and slaps him in the face. Then his eye swells up and is there for the rest of the movie. The sting is imposing and unattractive, acting as a physical reminder of Mr. McCallister and that his promotion is well deserved. In both films, the audience finds comic relief in the death and embarrassment of the teachers.

Mr. McCallister uses his position of authority for his own personal gain, which is most evident in the film's climax when he throws a student election vote in the trash to ensure that Tracy does not win. He's a classic example of a spiteful teacher using his authority negatively, which is exactly what Ferris Bueller is against. It is very likely that Ferris's charm and popularity would have caused similar jealousy and led Mr. McCallister to act in the same dishonorable manner.

In the final scene of choice, set years in the future, Mr. McCallister has moved to New York to start a new life, finding some peace as a museum guide. However, when he is walking through town, he sees Tracy Flick getting out of a luxury car. It's clear that Tracy is on her way up the ladder and achieving success in her political career. Mr. McCallister is full of that intense feeling of contempt that characterizes him choice and it shows that he is still the same pitiful and unalterable man. It also shows that he has no capacity for growth and it is this rigidity that Ferris Bueller would have absolutely hated.

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