For whatever reason, this was a famous movie that I had never managed to watch. I watched it last night and I have some thoughts.

First, I like the message of non-conformity that Robin Williams' character tries to teach the boys. It's not a human's drive and desire to become a successful robot, but to use the time and intelligence given to us to connect to something deeper.

Second, the boy who "falls in love" with the cheerleader and rivals with the jock for her affection was cringe and upsetting to me, even if it's a common tale. A teenage girl cast only as a sex object choosing between the violent, possessive jock or the creepy intellectual who was stalking her was a storyline I didn't want or expect from this movie. If a boy who had touched me without my knowledge at a party came to my school and humiliated me, I wouldn't be holding hands with him later.

Third, I suppose through no fault of the movie itself, it really drove home how difficult it is for women to overcome our societal roles. These are boys being given every advantage--even those of meager intellect--in pursuit of professional success & glory. Girls had and have no such system which drives them to the top. No thought given to whether girls need to leave a mark on the world. No need for them to connect to the deeper part of humanity. They do not make poetry, or consume it--they are only objects and prizes for the boys.

Fourth, the character of Neil, who is dominated by his father's expectations, shoots himself when he's denied access to acting and theater. It of course is just the most visible part of the controlling behavior that Neil endures. I think when I was young, I would have understood Neil much better. As it is now, I am very sympathetic to him but I can't understand his reaction. I found it horrifying and irrational.

Overall, I thought it was a good film, I can see why it captured everyone so much when it came out. But I'm afraid the creepy "romance" bothered me more than it was supposed to when it was made.