Alex -Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
I know that technically Ferris was the lead in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and that makes Cameron his side-kick instead of the other way around, but it really doesn’t matter to me, because there’s never been a worse influence on a good kid than the psychopath named Ferris Bueller.
We all have that friend who simply can’t say no to anything anyone asks (and if you can’t think of who it is, it’s probably you). Cameron is a textbook example of that, but it isn’t because he’s just too wimpy or anything: it’s because of how damn manipulative Ferris is.
It seems like the only reason Ferris is even friends with Cameron is so he can get his way all the time. Not only does Ferris get Cameron to get out of bed when he’s horribly ill, but he finds a way to take Cameron’s dad’s car. Yes, I know that at the end when the car crashes it’s supposed to be a breaking out moment for Cameron, but come on! If Ferris was a better friend, he would have simply helped Cameron stand up to his dad. There was no need to do something that will ultimately destroy the relationship between a father and his son.
The fact that Ferris offers to take the heat is just another manipulation in itself. He knows that by suggesting Cameron is too weak, Cameron will ultimately be the one to stand up to his dad. Just one of many instances where Ferris unnecessarily leads Cameron into sure disaster.
Ferris is manipulative and feels no remorse for anything he does. He acts like his actions don’t have any consequences, which is part of the reason that everyone loves him, but really that just makes for a horrible friend and influence for Cameron.
I could go on and on about all the horrible things Ferris makes Cameron do, but there really isn’t a ton that can be said to make any better of an example than Ferris forcing Cameron to steal his dad’s Ferrari. And really, if Ferris wasn’t the worst influence ever, he’d have let Cameron stay in bed just like any good friend would do. Instead he’s cemented himself in cinematic lore as the worst influence of any friend ever.
Can’t get enough our sweet, sexy arguments? Be sure to check out last week’s article in which we argue the most undeserving best picture winners in the history of the Academy!