It seems obvious that those responsible for this movie were schizophrenics. This alone can account for why the movie seems like two different films melded together AND why the humor is so bizarre and gut-bustingly funny! The biggest downside of the film is that it has so many of the dumb 80s clichés from teen films--without the main plot, the film actually would have scored a 9 or 10! The whole business about "having to ski the K-12" was just lame and got in the way of all the wonderful weirdness! My advice is to watch the film and then try to ignore all the plot--you're better off,...really.

So what was so weird about the film?! Well, apart from John Cusack, his ex-girlfriend and the "evil rival", all the other characters are almost like a combination of a normal 80s teen movie and a Salvador Dali creation! I really don't want to ruin all the many, many, many surprises, but you've got to see such things as the family's Christmas presents, the "interesting" things Lane's brother does throughout the film, the paperboy from Hell, the scene where Mrs. Smith blows up, and so many more strange bits here and there. And, most of the strange little vignettes that are irrelevant to the plot are GREAT--except for the claymation part that just seemed dull (for better claymation, see HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS).

This is inspired lunacy that unfortunately barely missed being a grand-slam because of some dull plot elements and a stupid claymation dancing hamburger. BUT, because of all the weirdness and fun, this is a wonderful film that can be enjoyed by kids or those who lived through the 80s and want to relive old times and laugh at the clothes and music!

Cartoonist Lane Meyer (John Cusack) has a strange family in Northern California. His father Al (David Ogden Stiers) struggles against the psycho newspaper boy Johnny. His mother Jenny (Kim Darby) is a crazy cook. His little brother Badger is a genius mute. His best friend Charles de Mar (Curtis Armstrong) is a weirdo who keeps trying to get high. His girlfriend Beth (Amanda Wyss) dumps him for the douche ski team captain Roy Stalin (Aaron Dozier). Roy also keeps Lane from getting on the ski team. Lane continuously get challenged to race by two Japanese brothers, one who speaks no English and the other who speaks like Howard Cosell. Lane keeps trying to kill himself and then he is befriended by French foreign-exchange student Monique (Diane Franklin). He also saves her from her host's weird creepy son.

This is a crazy weird addition to the 80s teen movie. It oscillates from silly stupidity to hilariously funny. It's surreal weirdness. And they throw in some fun lines like, "That's a real shame when folks be throwing away a perfectly good white boy like that." The only drawback is that Lane doesn't talk to Monique until the second half of the movie. They need to get together sooner. There is so much wackiness. Some works really well but others do fall a bit flat. Cusack is a terrific teen star who can roll with all the craziness.

The teenager Lane Meyer (John Cusack) has a crush on his girlfriend Beth Truss (Amanda Wyss). When Beth dumps him to stay with the successful skier Roy Stalin (Aaron Dozier),Lane is depressed and decides to commit suicide. However he gives up and tries to improve his skill of skier to ski the dangerous K12 slope to impress Beth. Meanwhile his neighbor Mrs. Smith (Laura Waterbury) receives the exchange French student Monique Junot (Diane Franklin) and her fat son Ricky Smith (Daniel Schneider) considers Monique his girlfriend; however, Monique has an unrequited crush on Lane that does not note her. When Lane stumbles upon Monique in a high-school party, he befriends her. The upset Lane challenges Roy in a competition on the K12 slope but then he regrets. However Monique is a great mechanic and skier, and fix Lane's Camaro and teaches him how to ski the K12 slope. What will happen to Lane?

"Better off Dead" is a cute romantic comedy even thirty-one years later. The story is funny and there are hilarious situations. Further this film has not aged and entertains. Maybe the greatest difference is that in the viewer that enjoyed this cult-movie in 1985 now is able to understand much more Lane's father attitudes. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Minha Vida é um Desastre" ("My Life Is a Disaster")