Watch Better Off Dead

Better Off Dead is an iconic '80s teen comedy written and directed by Savage Steve Holland. The movie stars John Cusack as Lane Meyer, a high school student who is struggling to cope with a recent breakup from his long-time girlfriend, Beth (Amanda Wyss). As his life spirals out of control, Lane becomes increasingly depressed and suicidal - until he decides to channel his angst into something that he loves: skiing.

The movie opens with a dream sequence in which Lane imagines himself skiing down a treacherous slope while dodging various obstacles and outrunning a giant two-dimensional hamburger. This sets the tone for the film, which is a surreal and colorful exploration of teenage angst and absurd humor.

Throughout the movie, Lane is constantly tormented by his neighbor, a pompous newspaperman named Al Meyer (David Ogden Stiers), who constantly reminds Lane of his failures and shortcomings. Meanwhile, Lane's friend Charles (Curtis Armstrong) is obsessed with finding girls and constantly urging Lane to move on from Beth and find a new girlfriend.

As Lane tries to move on, he meets a French exchange student named Monique (Diane Franklin), who helps him find his passion for skiing once again. Monique is a quirky and charming character who speaks broken English and has a love for all things American, particularly Muscle Beach and '80s rock music.

As the story unfolds, Lane becomes more confident and begins to stand up for himself against those who have bullied him in the past. He also hatches a plan to win back his ex-girlfriend Beth by skiing the treacherous K-12 slope, a dangerous feat that no one has ever accomplished before.

Throughout the movie, there are a number of surreal and hilarious scenes, such as the Japanese drag racers who challenge Lane to a race down the mountain, or the paperboy who stalks Lane on his bicycle and delivers newspapers regardless of the weather or obstacles in his way.

Better Off Dead is a classic '80s comedy that perfectly captures the angst and absurdity of teenage life. With its quirky characters, colorful visuals, and memorable soundtrack, it's a movie that has become a cult favorite over the years and is still beloved by fans today. The film is a testament to the humor and creativity of Savage Steve Holland, who went on to direct other '80s favorites like One Crazy Summer and How I Got Into College.

John Cusack's performance as Lane Meyer is one of the standout features of the movie. He perfectly captures the awkwardness and confusion of teenage life, as well as the frustration and anger that can come with heartbreak. David Ogden Stiers is also excellent as the smug and pretentious Al Meyer, who constantly puts Lane down and belittles his accomplishments. Kim Darby is hilarious as Lane's overbearing mother, who constantly tries to force him to be more successful and popular.

Overall, Better Off Dead is a hilarious and endearing film that perfectly captures the spirit of the '80s. It's a must-see for fans of teen comedies and anyone who enjoys a good laugh.

Better Off Dead is a 1985 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 51.