This often funny American high school comedy marks the writing debut of Cameron Crowe, who went to write and direct the 1996 hit Jerry McGuire.

Crowe bases his script on his book about his experiences pretending to be a student (though really 22) at his old school. Apart from the amusing and perceptive screenplay, the film is notable for a series of engaging performances from a young up-coming cast, particularly Sean Penn (also then 22) in only his second film as a hilariously stoned surfer, and Judge Reinhold gives a fresh turn as a guy with gal trouble.

The situation may be déjà vu, but Crowe and director Amy Heckerling dusts it off and makes it seem newly minted. Among a great young cast are Nicolas Cage, Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz and Anthony Edwards, all making their film debuts.

Old-timer Ray Walston gets a look in as the horrid Mr Hand.