Many details set this movie a mile ahead of its competition. First, we should be reminiscent of the fact the movie is from 1985. That was the period of the countless "academy", goliardic, school/dorm/frat movies cheering Reaganian America at its best of (roughly conservative/ upper) middle class fame days. We recall Porkies (Canada), Police Academy, Back to the future, Howard & countless others.
The back cover of the VHS i got tries to describe it as one's usual sleazy/light/"funny" movie... "National lampoon's animal house get religion -...- when the devoutly sadistic brother constance discovers what's being practised while he preaches! the irreverent antics these unorthodox catholic boys get up to is enough to test the patience of a saint ".
Nothing could be more far from the truth. This movie, although technically a B movie ( no soundtrack ala Top Gun, no exteriors, nor interiors; no fancy exotic locations ) is a world away from piquant, sleazy or slapstick juvenile movies. It has no "cheerleader" going around topless; no shower scenes teasing the soft core audience; no row of pranks to be pulled; no cartoon characters ala LT Harris, as that description lets believe (probably trying to set suckers up ).
It is the realistic portrayal of catholic irish/Italian boys dealing with a rigid and alas desuete educational system ( ex. the heart-throbbing speech father Abruzzi delivers at the opening of the dance party, finger pointing the dangers of lust and foretelling the excruciating pains of hell for those who dare to taste the forbidden fruit against the church's imparted teaching. Then you get friars making sure boys&girls don't dance "too close" or "inappropriately" ).
Mind you, private schools are/were expensive and we thus deal with the offsprings of the upper middle catholic class, with short glimpses of sociological reality. For example, before the swimming lesson, the instructor (also a friar) talks about the need of keeping fit because "killing catholics" comes first in the commies' agenda.
It is about teenage psychology ( actors at least look credible in their role, unlike others ). Take the opening scene when the headmaster tests the newbie, making him short-circuit in seconds. Actors are upto the mark.
Overall a nice, enjoyable movie worth watching twice.
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