"License To Drive" (1988)

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Directed By: Greg Beeman

Written By: Neil Tolkin, Michael Tolkin, Frank Deese

Runtime: 90 minutes

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Summary:

Teenager Les Anderson (Corey Haim) thinks his life can't get any worse after he flunks his driver's exam, but he's wrong. Even though he didn't receive his license, Les refuses to break his date with the cool Mercedes Lane (Heather Graham), and he decides to lift his family's prize luxury car for the occasion. Unfortunately, Mercedes sneaks some booze along and passes out drunk, and a confused Les makes the bad decision of enlisting his rebellious friend, Dean (Corey Feldman), to help.

Review:

This isn’t the worst movie ever made, but there’s not a lot is to be said about it. It’s at the very pretentious and contrived side of 80s teen movies. The characters are one dimensional and completely predictable. All they care about is their ability to drive, their popularity, and their ability to get dates. The plot is superficial and at many times just plain unrealistic. It’s a shame because the basis for the idea (boy wants his driving license) could have been a very solid and promising start. The film had so much potential and I don’t think it delivered. 

In spite of this, the soundtrack is worth sticking around for. It’s probably the only reason I stuck around to see it through. Plus, the fashion – what can I say?! I love it. It’s for this reason I know I’m going to look back on this and remember enjoying it. Which I did! But it’s not a movie I would go out of my way to recommend.

It’s got your typical rom-com essentials, so if you’re a fan of 80s teen flicks you’ll most likely enjoy this otherwise forgettable film. 

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