YMMV / Three O'Clock High

• Alternate Character Interpretation: Buddy's actual motives throughout. Did he challenge Jerry to a fight and then lose on purpose only because rumors are circulating about him and he doesn't like being the center of attention? If so, is he flying by the seat of his pants, playing Xanatos Speed Chess or running a Batman Gambit? Some have speculated that the reason he looks older than he apparently is is because he is older, is in the grade he is through having flunked at least once, and has done this sort of thing many times at many different schools, redeeming nerds and geeks just For the Lulz or for some other, more personal reason.
• Cult Classic: Despite terrible run in cinemas, the film quickly picked a following once aired on cable. So strong that there were still fan conventions with the cast made in late 2010s, getting full theatres.
• Harsher in Hindsight: Richard Tyson playing The Bully Big Bad who developed a considerably bad reputation for his troublemaking and telling The Protagonist in the beginning of the film he rather remain anonymous about his background is more cringing considering in real life, Tyson was busted for harassment and boozing in Mobile, Alabama.
• Retroactive Recognition:
  • Hey, that's Asst. Director Walter Skinner as Duke!
  • And it sounds a lot like Lisa Simpson saying, "I'm telling you, this guy's supposed to be a total psycho!"
• Signature Scene: The book report. It bears almost no connection to the plot (viewed out of context it appears as if taken from a Teacher/Student Romance movie) and yet is by far the most memorable.
• Values Dissonance:
  • Jerry, a high school student, kissing a school teacher without any repercussions. Not to mention teacher's Hot for Student indications who would certainly be cause for concern.
  • The casual use of the word "fag" which, in the 80s, was Fair for Its Day.
  • Jerry and Buddy getting in a fight would've been suspended or expelled (in a rare chance) worthy by today's standards.

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