Movie Review: Lucas (1986)

Corey Haim's breakout role, Keri Green's pre-Goonies introduction, one of Charlie Sheen's earlier works, and even a minor role played by Entourage's Jeremy Piven, Lucas is one of those movies that will make you laugh, get you angry and maybe even squeeze out a tear.

Lucas Bly is a little different. A brain light years ahead of his classmates, social skills millenia behind, small, younger than the others, and just a little weird, Lucas kinda lives in his own solitary world, hunting bugs and wandering the landscape in his town. That is.... until he meets Maggie. Maggie (played by Keri Green) is the new girl in town and Lucas is instantly smitten. She's older, fun, and best of all for Lucas, she doesn't have any friends in town yet. For a short time, he has her all to himself and he lets her into his strange little world where the two form a bond.

Their perfect little existence is thrown into chaos, however, when high school starts and Lucas, because of his size and quirks, becomes the target of bullies while Maggie, pretty and unpretentious, garners the attention of the star football player played by Charlie Sheen. In any other movie, Sheen's character would be the enemy, but in 'Lucas' Sheen is a good guy and often acts as Lucas' protector.

While he might be more intelligent than the other kids, Lucas still has the emotions of a 14 year old, and begins to take drastic measures in an effort to win Maggie's heart.

I wasn't one of those guys who was shaving when he was twelve, and I'm still waiting for my voice to change. The wonder that is my brain has been able to block out a lot of the ugly things that I went through, but I still remember the awkwardness, trying to fit in, having a crush on a girl, not knowing what to do about it, and upon trying to do something about it, crashing an burning in a blaze of poetic Jon Bon Jovi glory. I dealt with bullies, wore glasses, tried to buy cool clothes and never could get it right, so when it comes to Lucas, I can relate.

And it doesn't happen later in the film, it's right there at the beginning. Something about the music and the intro and I was instantly hooked. Right from the beginning I felt like I knew this weird little guy and it was like that throughout the entire show.

Watch Lucas when you have some quiet time. When you're in a pensive mood or maybe you haven't had the best day. It's not a big group movie but perfect for one or two people. I always tell people, 'give Lucas five minutes' if you're not hooked, we can change it out for a crappy Adam Sandler movie, most of which aren't all that funny, but I'm convinced people laugh out of social pressure kinda like when they spout off about their enduring love for the outdoors.

Here's a little clip. Trust me....