View source for School's Out (1992 film)

{{Short description|1992 television film based on the Degrassi franchise}}
{{Infobox television
| image                    = Degrassi School's Out Poster.png
| image_size               =
| image_alt                = A black and white photo of a young man and woman embracing.
| caption                  = Promotional poster
| genre                    = [[Drama film|Drama]]
| based_on                 = {{based on|''[[Degrassi]]''|[[Linda Schuyler]]|[[Kit Hood]]}}
| screenplay               = [[Yan Moore]]
| story                    = {{Plainlist|
* Yan Moore
* Linda Schuyler
* Kit Hood
}}
| director                 = Kit Hood
| starring                 = {{Plainlist|
* [[Pat Mastroianni]]
* [[Stacie Mistysyn]]
* [[Neil Hope]]
* [[Stefan Brogren]]
* [[Kirsten Bourne]]
* [[Anais Granofsky]]
}}
| country                  = Canada
| language                 = English
| executive_producer       = Linda Schuyler
| producer                 = {{Plainlist|
* Linda Schuyler<!--Schuyler is credited as both a producer and the executive producer-->
* Kit Hood
}}
| editor                   = Robert de Lint
| cinematography           = Philip Earnshaw
| runtime                  = 92 minutes<ref>{{Cite news |title=Degrassi High: School's Out (1992) |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/Degrassi-High-Schools-Out/803612/ |access-date=June 1, 2021}}</ref>
| company                  = [[Playing With Time, Inc.]]
| budget                   =
| network                  = [[CBC Television]]
| released                 = {{Start date|1992|01|05}}
}}
'''''School's Out''''' (also referred to on home video as '''''Degrassi High: School's Out''''') is a Canadian [[drama film|drama]] [[television film]] based on the ''[[Degrassi]]'' teen drama franchise created by [[Linda Schuyler]] and [[Kit Hood]] in 1979. It was directed by Hood and written by [[Yan Moore]], based on a story by Moore, Schuyler and Hood. It aired on [[CBC Television]] on January 5, 1992,<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Janice|date=1992-01-03|title=The Degrassi gang grows up fast|pages=134|work=The Vancouver Sun|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78642275/the-vancouver-sun/|access-date=2021-05-31}}</ref> and served as a finale to the series ''[[Degrassi High]]'' and its predecessor ''[[Degrassi Junior High]],'' which are collectively known as the ''Degrassi Classic'' era of the franchise.
The movie, centered on the Degrassi students during their first summer post-graduation, primarily focuses on the relationship between [[Joey Jeremiah]] ([[Pat Mastroianni]]) and [[Caitlin Ryan (Degrassi)|Caitlin Ryan]] ([[Stacie Mistysyn]]); after Caitlin politely rejects Joey's marriage proposal, he begins becoming romantically involved with Tessa Campanelli (Kirsten Bourne), while also still being involved with Caitlin; he has sex with both, with Tessa being first, and brags about it with his friends. Later, Joey's friend Archie "Snake" Simpson ([[Stefan Brogren]]), frustrated of his inability to get a girlfriend, ultimately reveals this fact at a party while Caitlin is in the same room, causing her to break the relationship off. Joey and Snake's friend, Derek "Wheels" Wheeler ([[Neil Hope]]) start drinking heavily, resulting in a car crash which kills a two year old boy and blinds class valedictorian Lucy Fernandez ([[Anais Granofsky]]).
The movie was noted for its inclusion of coarse language and more sexually-oriented content as opposed to the television series, including two instances of the word "[[fuck]]" during the movie's climax, and a scene depicting how a condom is applied, despite the CBC's refusal to run condom commercials. The film received a positive critical reception after its initial broadcast. In Canada, it drew in 2.3 million viewers, double that of what the preceding series usually received. In 1993, it was nominated for a [[Gemini Award for Best TV Movie or Mini-Series|Gemini Award for Best TV Movie]]. Despite being intended as a finale, the franchise was rebooted in 2001 with ''[[Degrassi: The Next Generation]],'' whose premiere episode primarily centered around the ten-year reunion of the original class.
{{Degrassi series}}
== Plot ==
It is graduation time for the seniors at Degrassi High,<!--As seen in the opening scene--> and everyone is making plans for the summer and their future. Most are preparing for university or far-off travel. One who is not is [[Joey Jeremiah]], who is preparing for another year in high school. His longtime girlfriend [[Caitlin Ryan (Degrassi)|Caitlin Ryan]] has taken a number of extra classes and completed high school in three years and has graduated with Joey's former peers.
Eager to hold on to her before she leaves for university to study journalism, Joey proposes to Caitlin at a graduation party hosted by [[Lucy Fernandez]]. Caitlin demurs, explaining that she is not ready for that kind of commitment. Joey storms out, only to run into classmate [[Tessa Campanelli]] fresh from an argument with her boyfriend Todd, and agrees to give her a ride home.
Arriving at the Campanelli house, Tessa pulls Joey toward her for a kiss. The next day, on a break from the photo shop where she works, Tessa visits Joey next door at the drug store where he works and asks him on a date.  Joey, though initially hesitant, accepts Tessa's offer, has a great time, and, as he tells [[Derek Wheeler|Wheels]] the next day, gets to "[[Baseball metaphors for sex|third base]]."  Tessa confides in her co-worker, [[Christine Nelson|Spike]], the details of the relationship. Spike reminds her that Joey and Caitlin have a pattern of breaking up and reuniting. Tessa rejects Spike's argument, noting that Caitlin will be leaving for university in a matter of weeks anyway. With Caitlin working most evenings and weekends waiting tables at a [[Café|cafe]] and Joey working days, they spend little time together and Joey starts seeing Tessa more frequently and they soon go all the way. As the summer goes on, Joey sees both Tessa and Caitlin with neither realizing he is dating them both.
By the middle of August, Tessa discovers she is pregnant and decides to have an [[abortion]]. When she realises that Joey is still with Caitlin with no intention of breaking up with her, she dumps him. Joey and Caitlin finally have sex on his nineteenth birthday, approximately a week before Caitlin, Lucy, and Snake are all scheduled to depart for university. It is Caitlin's first time, though she is unaware that it is not Joey's. Unbeknownst to Joey, Caitlin has decided to attend a local university in order to remain close to him.
The next day, at an end of the summer lake house party, hosted by Lucy's boyfriend Bronco, Caitlin accepts Joey's earlier marriage proposal. Joey, who had been teasing [[Archie "Snake" Simpson|Snake]] all summer about his inability to get a girlfriend, brags once more about his abilities with women. Snake (citing that he's been living through the "summer from hell") finally lashes out at Joey for all the teasing and blurts out about him sleeping with Tessa. Caitlin overhears and confronts Joey about it. She storms out after breaking off their engagement and telling Joey of her would-be plans to study locally in order to be with him. Immediately after unintentionally breaking up Joey and Caitlin, Snake realises that former classmate Allison Hunter is drowning and rushes into the lake to rescue her. Everyone congratulates him for saving her life, but he breaks down in a flood of emotion and anxiety.
Wheels, who had been drinking heavily, leaves the party with Lucy to get more chips but ends up crashing into another car. The crash kills a two-year-old boy in the other car, and seriously injures Lucy and the driver of the other car. The next day, Joey visits Wheels in jail, where Wheels tells him he has been charged with one count of criminal negligence causing death, two counts of criminal negligence causing injury, and drunk driving. He asserts that it was not his fault that the child was not wearing a seatbelt or that Lucy wanted to get more chips. Caitlin visits Lucy at the hospital where she is immobilized and unsure if she will ever see or walk again. Later, Joey stops to see Snake as he prepares to leave for university and asks why he will not accept Wheels' phone calls. Snake is disgusted by Wheels, particularly in light of Wheels having lost his own parents to a drunk driver. He apologizes to Joey for saying what he said at Bronco's place. Joey accepts his apology, saying that Caitlin would have found out sooner or later.
Two months later, most of the gang get together for the wedding of Alexa Pappadopoulos and Simon Dexter. Absent are Wheels, [[Erica Farrell|Erica]], and Lucy. Wheels, still incarcerated, is planning to plead guilty for his crimes. Erica is teaching abroad in the [[Dominican Republic]] and has met a new boyfriend in the process. Meanwhile, Lucy has since regained vision in one of her eyes, but is still not well enough to attend the wedding. Snake is accompanied by his girlfriend Pam whom he met at university and is implied to have finally lost his virginity to her, and he appears considerably more self-assured; he still has yet to get into contact with Wheels. Joey and Snake have an awkward reunion, but make unspecific plans to hang out before he goes back to university. Joey also apologizes for hurting Caitlin, who forgives him, and as Simon and Alexa have their first dance as husband and wife, former fiancés Joey and Caitlin share a dance as friends.
== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Pat Mastroianni]] as [[Joey Jeremiah]]
* [[Stacie Mistysyn]] as [[Caitlin Ryan (Degrassi)|Caitlin Ryan]]
* [[Neil Hope]] as Derek "Wheels" Wheeler
* [[Stefan Brogren]] as Archie "Snake" Simpson
* Kirsten Bourne (credited as Kirsti Bourne) as Tessa Campanelli
* [[Anais Granofsky]] as Lucy Fernandez
* [[L. Dean Ifill]] as Bronco Davis
* Irene Courakos as Alexa Pappadopoulos
* Michael Carry as Simon Dexter
* [[Amanda Stepto]] as [[Christine "Spike" Nelson]]
* Sara Holmes as Allison Hunter
* Jacy Hunter as Amy Holmes
* [[Christian Campbell]] as Todd
* Andy Chambers as Luke Matthews
* [[Siluck Saysanasy]] as Yick Yu
* Arlene Lott as Nancy Kramer
* Keith White as Tim O'Connor
* Aimee Darcel as Sylvia
* Maureen Deiseach as Heather Farrell
* Angela Deiseach as Erica Farrell
* Henry Hwang as Ralph
* Karryn Sheridan as Vicky Friedland
* Michele Johnson-Murray as Tabi
* George Chaker as Nick
* [[Dayo Ade]] as Bryant "BLT" Thomas
* Gretchen Halbig as Joey's mom
* Maggie Thomas as Snake's mom
* Angela Bruce as Principal
* Meita Winkler as Councelor
* Jean Walker as Receptionist
* Tara Burt as Pam
* Maureen Burgoyne as Waitress
* Gerry Ride as Jewelry Clerk
* Al Black as Car Salesman
* Darren Marsman as Lucy's dad
* Diana Dragman as Mom At Pool
* Rhys Greenway as Kid At Pool
* Karen Johnson as Teen At Pool
* Anthea Rowe and Melissa Schwartz as Girls At Pool
}}
== Production ==
During development of ''School's Out'', six of ''Degrassi''{{'}}s actors filmed ''[[Degrassi Talks]]'', a six-part non-fiction miniseries in which the actors interviewed teenagers and young adults across Canada about issues explored in the show.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book|last=Ellis|first=Kathryn|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/62896355|title=The official 411 Degrassi generations|date=2005|publisher=Pocket Books|isbn=978-1-4165-1680-4|edition=1st Pocket Books|location=New York|oclc=62896355}}</ref> Principal photography for School's Out began on July 21, 1991.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2006-01-03|title=Degrassi Fan Pages|url=http://www.degrassi.tv/fan/schoolOut.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060103062102/http://www.degrassi.tv/fan/schoolOut.jsp|archive-date=2006-01-03|access-date=2021-03-08}}</ref> [[Yan Moore]] explained the use of the word "fuck" in the film: "There was a tension growing, especially between Joey and Snake. Snake had this tremendous frustration and the word had never been used in a script before. So, when Snake finally lost it with Joey, the word was included. Since Caitlin overheard the conversation, it just seemed right for her to use that totally un-Caitlin-like word."<ref name=":02" />
==Music==
The film featured eight songs from the debut album of [[Toronto]]-based [[rock group]] [[Harem Scarem]].<ref name=":0" /> After the movie aired, Toronto radio station [[CILQ-FM|Q-107]] received multiple requests to play Harem Scarem's music.<ref name=":0" />
The film also featured songs from top Canadian artists including [[Lawrence Gowan|Gowan]] (the song "[[Moonlight Desires]]"), [[The Box (band)]], [[Spoons (band)]], [[Amy Sky]], [[Images in Vogue]] and [[Malcolm Burn]].
== Release ==
=== Broadcast ===
''School's Out'' aired on [[CBC Television]] at 8:00&nbsp;p.m. on January 5, 1992.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Blakey|first=Bob|date=1992-01-05|title=Highlights|pages=27|work=The Ottawa Citizen|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78642661/the-ottawa-citizen/|access-date=2021-05-31}}</ref> The film drew 2.3 million viewers on the network, doubling the average audience that ''Degrassi High'' received.<ref>[http://www.degrassi.tv/fan/schoolOut.jsp School's Out] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060103062102/http://www.degrassi.tv/fan/schoolOut.jsp|date=2006-01-03}}</ref> In Australia, the film premiered on [[ABC TV (Australian TV network)|ABC TV]] at 8:30.p.m on May 17, 1993, preceded by an introduction from [[The Afternoon Show (Australian TV series)|''Afternoon Show'']] host [[Michael Tunn]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|date=1993-06-17|title=Green Guide: Video|pages=41|work=The Age|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79166595/the-age/|access-date=2021-06-08}}</ref>
=== Home media ===
''School's Out'' was released on VHS by [[ABC Video]] and [[Roadshow Entertainment]] in Australia in 1993,<ref>{{Cite news|date=1993-07-31|title=School's Out!|pages=265|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78187580/the-sydney-morning-herald/|access-date=2021-06-01}}</ref> and [[WGBH Educational Foundation|WGBH Boston Home Video]] in the United States on March 7, 2000.<ref>{{Citation|last=Hood|first=Kit|title=Degrassi High - School's Out|date=2000-03-07|url=https://www.amazon.com/Degrassi-High-Schools-Out-VHS/dp/B00004DS8Y|publisher=Wgbh / Pbs|access-date=2021-06-01}}</ref> It was later released as part of the ''Degrassi High: The Complete Collection'' DVD box set by WGBH on October 9, 2007,<ref name="R12">{{cite web|title=Correct release date plus front & rear artwork|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7429|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205025525/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7429|archive-date=2013-02-05|access-date=2007-06-05|work=TVShowsOnDVD.com}}</ref> and on the ''Degrassi High Collection'' set by Force Entertainment in Australia on March 12, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Degrassi High Collection|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2105282/Degrassi-High-Collection|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Sanity|language=en}}</ref>
== Critical reception ==
''School's Out'' received critical praise from the Canadian press on its original broadcast. Writing for the [[Vancouver Sun]], Hester Riches felt that like the preceding series, the movie took risks, but "paid off in typical Degrassi style".<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Riches|first=Hester|date=1992-01-04|title=TV grows up with Degrassi kids|pages=82|work=The Vancouver Sun|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78659096/the-vancouver-sun/|access-date=2021-05-31}}</ref> Writing for [[The Canadian Press]], Bill Anderson stated that despite the main love triangle plot, "deft subplotting" resulted in a "memorable" end to the film's story, and that the movie put "a brilliant cap" on the "honest, compelling" tradition that the ''Degrassi'' shows had created.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Bill|date=1992-01-03|title=Rudolph's gone; cops, serial killers back on TV|pages=37|work=Star-Phoenix|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78659356/star-phoenix/|access-date=2021-05-31}}</ref> Riches, along with columnist Janice Kennedy, both noted the inclusion of a scene of Lucy Fernandez showing Caitlin Ryan how to apply a condom to a man's genitals, despite CBC's refusal to run advertisements about condoms.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Writing for [[Fashion (magazine)|Fashion]] magazine in the wake of the movie's 25th anniversary, Lesa Hannah called it "a truly iconic piece of Canadiana".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-09-04|title=Degrassi: School's Out is 25 Years Old and is Just as Iconic as Ever|url=https://fashionmagazine.com/culture/degrassi-schools-out-25-years/|access-date=2021-06-01|website=FASHION Magazine|language=en}}</ref> Australian film critic [[Adrian Martin]], a fan of the TV series,<ref name=":4" /> gave the film a mixed to negative review, feeling that the movie was "a little disappointing" and a departure from the "daggy everydayness" typical of the shows, and pointed out a "punishing sense of morality" exemplified by the catastrophic events experienced by several of its characters.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Degrassi High: School's Out|url=http://www.filmcritic.com.au/reviews/d/degrassi_high_schools_out.html|access-date=2021-06-01|website=www.filmcritic.com.au}}</ref> Writing for the ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'', Alison Stewart praised the film and called it "much more real television" than its American counterpart ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stewart|first=Alison|date=1993-05-17|title=Teens get lesson in life|pages=68|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79166712/the-sydney-morning-herald/|access-date=2021-06-08}}</ref>
[[Amanda Stepto]], who played Spike, was critical of the film, calling it "too adult" and "not a very good send off".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2007-02-03|title=Amanda Stepto (Christine "Spike" Nelson) Interview by Natalie Earl|url=http://www.degrassi.ca/Interviews/Amanda%20Stepto%20Interview%20for%20MARK.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203180807/http://www.degrassi.ca/Interviews/Amanda%20Stepto%20Interview%20for%20MARK.htm|archive-date=2007-02-03|access-date=2021-01-20}}</ref> In a 2019 podcast interview, when asked about the film, Stepto responded; "Fuckin' hate that!". She noted how she had requested to be included in the film's party scene but ultimately did not, and questioned why character Tessa Campanelli, who played a minor role in the series, was given a lead role.<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://iminlovewithagirlnamedspike.libsyn.com/episode-011-its-late-w-amanda-stepto-interview|title=Episode 011 "It's Late" W/ Amanda Stepto Interview|date=January 10, 2019|last=Park|first=Mike|type=Podcast|language=en|series=I'm In Love With A Girl Named Spike "A Degrassi Podcast"|time=1:31:22-1:32:33|access-date=2021-06-01|last2=Johnson|first2=Rick|website=iminlovewithagirlnamedspike.libsyn.com}}</ref> The movie was nominated for a [[Gemini Award for Best TV Movie or Mini-Series|Gemini Award for Best TV Movie]] in 1993, the same year that ''[[Degrassi Talks]]'' was nominated for Best Youth Program Or Series.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCann|first=Wendy|date=1993-01-20|title=Road To Avonlea takes 13 nominations|pages=44|work=Calgary Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79107918/calgary-herald/|access-date=2021-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1993-01-20|title=And the nominees are...|pages=33|work=Edmonton Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79107962/edmonton-journal/|access-date=2021-06-07}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060103062102/http://www.degrassi.tv/fan/schoolOut.jsp ''School's Out''] at official Degrassi website
* [http://schoolsout.degrassi.ca/ ''School's Out''] at Degrassi.ca
* {{IMDb title|0134951}}
{{Degrassi}}
[[Category:1992 television films]]
[[Category:1992 films]]
[[Category:1992 drama films]]
[[Category:1990s Canadian films]]
[[Category:1990s coming-of-age drama films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s teen drama films]]
[[Category:Canadian coming-of-age drama films]]
[[Category:Canadian drama television films]]
[[Category:Canadian teen drama films]]
[[Category:CBC Television original films]]
[[Category:Degrassi]]
[[Category:DHX Media films]]
[[Category:Films set in Toronto]]
[[Category:Television films based on television series]]