# Heathers (the movie) question/remarks **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 17, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007 "2014-06-17T20:43:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/41 "2014-06-19T11:33:25Z")
I thought it was common knowledge that Slater, deliberately or not, had a Nicholson vibe going on from way back. The Bueller connection I never thought about but I can see a similarity. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/42 "2014-06-19T12:17:57Z")
Here are couple of reviews from 1989 mentioning Slater’s imitation of Nicholson: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/heathersrkempley\_a09fb6.htm](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/heathersrkempley_a09fb6.htm) > **[Movie Reviews](https://www.nytimes.com/reviews/movies?res=950DE4DB1538F932A05750C0A96F948260)** > > Our film critics on blockbusters, independents and everything in between. So, yes, a lot of people immediately noticed the resemblance. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/43 "2014-06-19T12:40:43Z")
Just read the start of the NY Times review, and was reminded that the high school is Westerberg High School. I’m pretty sure that is a reference to Replacements front man Paul Westerberg. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/44 "2014-06-19T13:00:07Z")
[And a spoof on The Critic also based on the premise that Slater’s imitating Nicholson.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YahRQHiy2R0&feature=kp) ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/45 "2014-06-19T14:04:36Z")
I remember an interview on the Arsenio Hall show where Slater talks about getting drunk on a date and calling Nicholson to impress the girl. He says he based the character on Nicholson. It was interesting that in calling the character JD the script had him as a James Dean type but then Slater chose to go with Nicholson and it worked so well. I felt bad for liking the movie so much after Columbine happened, but I found out that the killers did not seem to be aware of the movie and got inspiration from Natural Born Killers. All the quotes from it are so very. “My teen angst b-s now has a body count.” ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/46 "2014-06-19T18:26:25Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > I’d like to thank Kimballkid for the recommendation. You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/47 "2014-06-19T19:16:44Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > I remember an interview on the Arsenio Hall show where Slater talks about getting drunk on a date and calling Nicholson to impress the girl. He says he based the character on Nicholson. > It was interesting that in calling the character JD the script had him as a James Dean type but then Slater chose to go with Nicholson and it worked so well. > I felt bad for liking the movie so much after Columbine happened, but I found out that the killers did not seem to be aware of the movie and got inspiration from Natural Born Killers. > All the quotes from it are so very. > “My teen angst b-s now has a body count.” I came to post this; I couldn’t remember the interviewer but what I remember is that as a prank, he called Nicholson and did his Nicholson impersonation. Silence on the other end. Slater slightly freaked and was about to hang up when he hears, “Well well well…” And yes, he’s said he did that on purpose in Heathers. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/48 "2014-06-19T19:19:16Z")
> [@mcgato](#): > > Just read the start of the NY Times review, and was reminded that the high school is Westerberg High School. I’m pretty sure that is a reference to Replacements front man Paul Westerberg. Yes, it is, but in the movie it’s spelled “Westerburg High School.” Winona Ryder was a big fan of The Replacements. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/49 "2014-06-19T23:19:30Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I like that mineral water equals gay. Regular or BQ? ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/50 "2014-06-20T00:12:03Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Regular or BQ? BQ! ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/51 "2014-06-20T00:41:13Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Do you have any argument other than saying, “Well, it was intuitively obvious to me, and if it wasn’t intuitively obvious to you then you’re an idiot.” Well yes, that was the whole point of the movie. You’ll live. Want some pate? ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/52 "2014-06-20T01:31:18Z")
So you admit you were calling me an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/53 "2014-06-20T02:08:45Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > So you admit you were calling me an idiot. You are missing the whole subtext to the quotes in this thread and the appreciation for the themes of Heathers in general. I didn’t call you anything personally. I would respond back with some more quotes but you aren’t getting them and taking it personally when it is warranted so I won’t. Everyone in this thread has been lighthearted about a quotable movie they really love and it has nothing to do with you. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/54 "2014-06-20T02:29:12Z")
Other posters were quoting from the movie, but they weren’t using the quotes to attach other posters. You were. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/55 "2014-06-20T02:39:13Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Other posters were quoting from the movie, but they weren’t using the quotes to attach other posters. You were. I wasn’t attacking you either even although that would have been in the Heathers’ spirit. We have been on this board a long time together and I both like you and respect you. I truly didn’t mean any offense. Any inadvertent offense I caused was just theme oriented and I apologize if I didn’t make that clear enough in advance. Heathers is a blatantly offensive movie and meant to be. That is part of the reason it is so funny. I can see why someone reading quotes out of context would find them offensive but that was never my intention. BTW, I know that my gay cops theory isn’t supported anywhere in the script and other people have a right to disagree with it but it is my personal interpretation. I don’t expect anyone else to believe it or even care very much. I do have strong evidence for my other theories however. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/56 "2014-06-20T18:35:49Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > To be clear, the only thing that reminded me about Bueller were his speech patterns on a few of his lines, like the Nicholson voice was slipping a little. > > I can’t say I’ve seen him in anything else, that I recall. > > Wait, he was in _Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves_? As who? He was also in Very Bad Things where his character was a lot like J.D. in Heathers. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/57 "2014-06-21T00:36:21Z")
It’s funny this thread came up - I was in the drugstore last week spending entirely too much time scrutinizing the lip gloss selection, and suddenly thought, “Heh - I’m literally using grand IQ to decide which color lip gloss to wear.” I was 16 when the movie came out and I loved it. I’m half excited and half scared to watch it again, but I think I’ll still like it. How can you not maintain affection for a movie with the line, “I love my dead gay son!”? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/58 "2023-06-08T03:56:20Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > “Did you have a brain tumor for breakfast?” - Oddly enough the actress that played Heather Chandler, Kim Walker dies of a brain tumor when she was 32. And now the Heather she was addressing (Heather Duke) has one. > **[Shannen Doherty Reveals Cancer She’s Been Battling Has Spread To Her Brain](https://deadline.com/2023/06/shannen-doherty-cancer-spread-to-brain-1235410984/)** > > Shannen Doherty says the breast cancer with which she was first diagnosed in 2015 has spread to her brain, and shared an emotional video describing her fear as she undergoes treatment. The 52-year-… ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/59 "2023-06-08T05:02:13Z")
I can barely remember the movie now, Somewhere since then someone said something about the director pushing Slater to put more Nicholson into his performance. Reading the thread I guess I didn’t appreciate it at the time. But next time I’m looking for a movie to watch I’ll watch it again. I do remember the plot wasn’t the typical predictable sort that I expected. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007/60 "2023-06-08T08:35:52Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Ferris Bueller is an interesting comparison. I sort of feel like Ferris acts kind of like a loveable harmless sociopath. Throughout the film, he basically does whatever he wants, with no regard for authority or the feelings or property of others, particularly his friend Cameron. I know it’s nine years later, but I’ve just re-read this thread and I think I can answer this: The difference between JD and Ferris is that while both are essentially amoral agents of chaos, Ferris is a Trickster figure, while JD is a Satan figure. Ferris wants to free Cameron (whether he wants it or not), but JD wants to corrupt Veronica. You can accuse Ferris of many things, but you can’t say he’s intentionally malicious. JD, on the other hand, is malice personified. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heathers-the-movie-question-remarks/691007.md?page=4)