What It's About:

Tracking the ups and downs in the lives of a group of teenagers, this sharp ensemble piece centers mostly on Stacy Hamilton (Leigh), a likeable, attractive girl who starts dating confident cad Mike Damone (Robert Romanus) when the true object of her affection, shy Mark (Brian Backer), appears uninterested. Meanwhile, good-natured surfer dude Jeff Spicoli (Penn) tortures his teacher, Mr. Hand (Ray Walston), with inane questions and a blissfully drugged-out aura.

Why I Love It:

Less well-known than "Animal House" but equally worthy of cult status is Amy Heckerling's "Fast Times," a teen sex comedy perceptively penned by future director Cameron Crowe. Beyond its warm and winning script, what distinguishes "Fast Times" are the infectious performances of its juvenile actors, in particular, Penn, as the perpetually stoned Spicoli. Veteran Ray Walston (from TV's "My Favorite Martian") is also priceless as Spicoli's frustrated teacher, Mr. Hand.