This one definitely falls into the "you had to be there" category, i.e., those who were unlucky enough to reach adulthood during the 1980s in Southern California can
definitely relate to this film. And like many cult classics, it sets no specific genre for itself, instead preferring to tell a story and leaving the audience to respond in its own way.
But again, you had to be there and those who weren't usually don't get this movie as a result. A lot of the sight gags require an appreciation of the time capsule nature of what is shown (a relentless attack on 1980s commercialism).
My favorite scene has the principal character, Otto -- played by a very young Emilio Estevez -- coming home to find his parents on the couch zombie-like in front of the TV listening to a Christian evangelist. Otto then opens the fridge and scarfs down "Food" out of a blue and white can. I mean "Food" is on the label, period. You then begin to notice a runnning gag of generic labeling everywhere, in the convenience store, at the supermarket, bottles of plain wrap whiskey, plain wrap "Tasteetos," plain wrap beer and plain wrap chewing gum.
The reward for getting all this is enjoyment of one of the trippiest films ever committed to celluloid. Best classic line:
"
Let's go get sushi and not pay."
