HEAVEN HELP US

title: HEAVEN HELP US
year: 1985
cast: Andrew McCarthy, Kevin Dillon, John Heard, Donald Sutherland
rating: ***

Seeming like yet another teenage comedy from the 1980s, this has a little more. The cinematography, showing life in the early 60’s, looks authentically realistic, as are the locations within the school, especially the giant cathedral where all the students meet every morning. Although there are four main characters (including a young Patrick Dempsey), the two mainliners are Andrew McCarthy, revamping his persona from CLASS but with more confidence; and Kevin Dillon who, like his brother Matt, plays rebel to the hilt – ironically repeating God’s name in vain while picking on their fat, brainy friend. One really mean teacher ignites the adversary spark, allowing our eclectic band of students to band together. And a love story between McCarthy and the willful daughter of a delicatessen owner (Mary Stuart Masterson) provides a nice peripheral. Donald Sutherland plays the hardnosed, monotone head priest, keeping his usual sly humor at bay. While John Heard, as an ultra progressive priest who backs the kids, makes you wonder: Why’s he even there at all?