Up the Academy

Up the Academy, released in 1980, is conceived under the genre of comedy. Directed by Robert Downey Sr., the film features an ensemble cast including noted actor Ron Leibman, alongside up-and-coming talents like Wendell Brown and Ralph Macchio who later went on to fame with his role in The Karate Kid.

The narrative of the film follows four teenagers who are sent to Alfred Academy, a military school you wouldn't exactly refer to as a prestigious institution. Each of these boys comes with their own backstory, and not one of them is particularly pleased with their new situation. The ‘Alfred Academy’ is more of a correctional facility than a typical military school, its main objective being taming its rebellious enrollees into obedience.

The four lead characters are comprised of remarkably different personalities with unique lives. Winebaum, portrayed by Wendell Brown, is the son of a seedy senator, while Oliver, played by Tommy Citera, is a Chicago gambler who has teenage troubles of his own. The other two boys, Ike, played by Hutch Parker, and Rodney, portrayed by Ralph Macchio, are displaced from familiar environments and forced to conform to the stringent regulations of Alfred Academy.

The Academy is run by the iron fisted Commandant Causeway, played by the Ron Leibman, who is hell-bent on instilling rigid discipline into the students. He's comically terrifying and plays a pivotal role in the plot, creating many of the trials and tribulations that the four boys must navigate. His character, with his austere demeanor and military pride, serves as the perfectly exaggerated epitome of stern authority.

Through a series of hilarious incidents, the four boys - the rebellious misfits - undertake a mission to rebel against the stringent norms of the institution and the oppressive commandant. They get into an array of situations, from mild comedic antics to grander displays of defiance. Their camaraderie deepens as they jointly tackle the disciplinary thrills of their new life at the Academy.

Throughout the narrative, viewers find a thread of unique friendship stitched amidst the wild pranks and freshman fights. The comedic backdrop, liberally seasoned with mischief and revolt, expertly hides a tender narrative of relationship, individuality, and the struggle to maintain self-identity.

The film’s clever humor is elevated by the strong performances of its youthful cast, each member excelling in their portrayal of their respective characters. Wendell Brown nails the senator’s son role with his handsome good looks and air of superiority, while Ralph Macchio, before his days of karate on the big screen, gives the charming Rodney both vulnerability and wit.

Ron Leibman, despite disavowing the film later, proves to be a memorable part of Up the Academy. Through his depiction of Commandant Causeway, Leibman offers the audience a villain that they love to hate. His dramatic overkill, stern brows, and seemingly unending pursuit of order keep the audience engaged, stirring anticipation about when and how the boys will push back against his tyrannical reign.

Among the film's highlights is the music, which includes tracks from notable contemporary artists, making the movie a memorable cultural flashback to the late 70s and early 80s. The cinematography and the art direction, capturing the austere, almost Gothic setting of the academy, also stands out, further emphasizing the perceived bleakness of the boys' new surroundings and thus, underlining their act of rebellion.

A blend of teenage rebellion, exciting adventures, clever humor, eccentric characters, and moving friendships, Up the Academy not only delivers as a comedy, but also subtly delves into the struggles of adolescence and the fight for individuality within restrictive paradigms. It offers a captivating watch, balancing earnest stories of friendship with laugh-out-loud antics and pranks. Despite being released over forty years ago, Up the Academy remains relevant, striking a chord with anyone who has ever faced the daunting, unsure prospect of a new environment and survived it with the help of a deep-rooted camaraderie.