HADLEY’S REBELLION (director/writer: Fred Walton; screenwriter: Steve Feke; cinematographer: David Golia; editor: Sam Vitale; music: Mike Post; cast: Griffin O’Neal (Hadley Hickman), William Devane (Coach Ball), Charles Durning (Sam Crawford), Adam Baldwin (Bobo McKenzie), Lisa Lucas (Linda Johnson), Eric Boles (Mr. Stevens); Runtime: 96; MPAA Rating: PG; producer: Steve Feke; East India Trading Company; 1987)
“Bland and sleep-inducing.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

It was shot at the Webb Schools of California in Claremont. Director Fred Walton(“April Fool’s Day“/”When A Stranger Calls Back”/“The Rosary Murders”) co-writes this teenage angst flick with producer Steve Feke. It centers around the teenage high school student played by Griffin O’Neal and his wrestling obsession. William Devane is the redeemed washed-up alcoholic coach mentoring our hero to get on the right track.

Since I have no interest in wrestling or predictable Rocky rip-off flicks, I found it bland and sleep-inducing. Therefore I fully understand how southerner Griffin, a transfer student in a posh prep school in southern California, nodded off in English class. Other wise the pic provoked no endearing memories of my public high school days and its superficial concerns tuned me out right from its beginning.

REVIEWED ON 9/22/2015 GRADE: C

Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”

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