Ferris Bueller’s Day Off plot summary
Directed by John Hughes, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a delightful comedy-drama starring Matthew Broderick as the titular character Ferris Bueller. The supporting cast includes Alan Ruck as Cameron Frye, Mia Sara as Sloane Peterson, Jennifer Grey as Jeanie Bueller, and more.
The movie kicks off with Ferris Bueller, Katie Bueller, and Tom Bueller. Katie and Tom are checking in on Ferris in his room, where they learn about his condition. Ferris mentions he’s not running a fever but complains of a stomach-ache and seeing spots. Jeanie Bueller joins them, and upon hearing about her brother’s illness, she immediately starts arguing with her mother to send Ferris to school.
Jeanie sees right through her brother’s excuses for skipping school. Despite her insistence that Ferris should go to school, their mother gives in and allows him to stay home. Disappointed, Jeanie heads off to school while Ferris remains at home. As soon as their parents leave, Ferris wakes up, convinced that they bought his excuse for not going to school.
Why does Ferris Bueller want to skip school?
Despite not having a fever, Ferris’ mother mentions to Tom that he claimed to be seeing spots. This leads them to decide it’s best for Ferris to stay home. However, once they leave the room, Ferris miraculously appears perfectly fine, fooling his parents with his fake illness excuse.
The real reason Ferris wants to skip school is that he simply wants to enjoy the gorgeous day outside. To make the most of it, he invites his best friend, Cameron Frye, over to hang out at his place.
Why does Rooney make a call to Bueller’s mother?
In one scene of the film, Edward R. Rooney calls Katie Bueller to inform her about Ferris’ absence from school. Katie apologizes for not letting the dean know that Ferris is at home sick. She explains she was in a meeting when Ferris claimed to be unwell.
Later in the conversation, Rooney questions Katie about Ferris’ poor attendance record and mentions that Ferris has missed numerous school days this semester. Katie finds it hard to believe her son has been absent nine times already. Rooney then suggests that Ferris isn’t really sick but is instead skipping school. He also advises Katie to take care of her son, indicating that she needs to ensure Ferris goes to school regularly.
Why does Ferris Bueller kick Cameron Frye?
During an English lecture, Florence Sparrow interrupts to deliver the news to Sloane Peterson that her grandmother has passed away. Later, in the principal’s office, Grace informs Rooney about Sloane’s loss. A little while afterward, Rooney asks about the girl Sloane is dating. Grace mentions that Sloane is often seen with Ferris Bueller. Rooney then asks for Mr. Peterson’s daytime number.
Before he can retrieve the number, Mr. Peterson himself calls from the front office. In a heated moment, Rooney mistakenly uses foul language, assuming the caller is Ferris Bueller. However, Grace quickly corrects him, and tells him that Mr. Peterson is actually on the other line. After his conversation with Ferris Bueller, Rooney is visibly shaken and fears he’s in deep trouble.
He apologizes to Mr. Peterson for his earlier behaviour on the phone. However, it turns out that the person Rooney thought was Mr. Peterson is actually Cameron. Cameron has planned this entire thing to bring Sloane Peterson to their location.
He suggests they meet her daughter in front of the school in 10 minutes. Upon hearing this, Ferris Bueller kicks Cameron, showing his disapproval of the plan.
What favour does Ferris ask from Cameron?
While speaking with Principal Rooney, Cameron inadvertently says something he shouldn’t have, prompting Ferris to kick him. Later, on the phone, Cameron tells Rooney to bring Sloane to the front of the school in 10 minutes. Ferris realizes that if Rooney accompanies Sloane, it will complicate their plan. So, to rectify the situation, Ferris asks Cameron for a favor.
The scene shifts to Cameron’s garage, and we see a pristine 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California parked inside. This classic car belongs to Cameron’s father, who spent three years restoring it.
It’s revealed that the favour Ferris requested was to use Cameron’s father’s Ferrari. Ferris suggests they drive the Ferrari to school to pick up Sloane. Their plan works, and they successfully pick up Sloane without Rooney catching on.
What happens to Cameron’s father’s car?
Ferris asks Cameron if they can use the Ferrari, but Cameron refuses. The Ferrari belongs to Cameron’s father, who poured three years of hard work into restoring it. Cameron treasures the car more than anything else and knows that taking it out for a joyride could spell trouble.
Despite Cameron’s warnings, Ferris takes the Ferrari to pick up Sloane. Even after fetching Sloane from school, Ferris doesn’t stop there; he continues driving to the A-1 EZ parking lot. Unfortunately, their plans hit a snag when the man they paid to watch over the car decides to steal it.
While Ferris and Sloane enjoy themselves, Cameron worries about the fate of the Ferrari. Cameron’s father’s love for his car surpasses even his love for his wife, which often leads to constant friction between them.
However, later in the film, it’s revealed that the person who appeared to have stolen the Ferrari only did so for a joyride. When Cameron realizes that the Ferrari has been driven extensively, he goes into a state of shock. Since he doesn’t have the courage to face his father, Cameron tries to down himself.
Moreover, Cameron accidentally destroys the Ferrari as well. This is when Ferris steps in and offers to take the blame for the damage. However, towards the end, Cameron finds the courage to confront his fear of his father’s wrath and decides to come clean about what really happened to the car.
Was Ferris Bueller caught in the end by his parents?
In the final moments of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, we see Ferris racing against time to make it home before his family. When he spots his sister’s car with his mother inside, he panics and tries to outrun them on foot. Meanwhile, his sister is determined to catch him, so she steps on the gas.
Adding to the chaos, Principal Rooney is also in hot pursuit of Ferris. As Ferris reaches his house, Rooney manages to corner him outside. But just when it seems like game over, Ferris gets a lifeline from his sister Jeanie, who comes through for him unexpectedly.
Jeanie offers Ferris a key to the house, allowing him to slip inside undetected by their parents. With Jeanie’s help, Ferris successfully makes it into his room without getting caught, completing his epic day of adventure.