"Johnny Be Good," a teen comedy from 1988 directed by Bud Smith, presents a mixed bag of goofy moments but manages to be frequently entertaining and amusing. The film centers on Johnny Walker, portrayed by Anthony Michael Hall—America's most sought-after football player hailing from central Texas. A dilemma arises: should he accept one of the many lucrative offers from recruiters or opt for local college with his girlfriend (Uma Thurman), potentially abandoning his athletic aspirations? Paul Gleason takes on the role of a coach whose motives seem questionable, and Robert Downey Jr. provides some comic relief as Johnny’s friend. Given Hall's previous roles in “Sixteen Candles” (1984) and “The Breakfast Club” (1985), it might be surprising to see him as a star quarterback; however, he appears older and more physically developed here—standing at 6’2”. The chemistry between Hall and Downey Jr. is quite good, and the film benefits from Thurman's debut performance, alongside Jennifer Tilly, Hayley Ladner (Juicy Dorfman), and other supporting actresses. Steve James delivers a memorable portrayal of masculinity as the coach at the state college—it’s unfortunate that he passed away so young due to cancer. Jim McMahon also makes an appearance in a brief but worthwhile cameo. Despite some attempts at more serious scenes, the overall feel is lighthearted and energetic, delivering plenty of laughs. Those who find fault with the film for its silliness are essentially criticizing a basic element—like water being wet. The narrative, however, feels strangely disjointed, and there are occasional pauses in the action. With some revisions to the script, this could have been a successful entry into the 1980s teen comedy landscape. The movie also includes an enjoyable soundtrack featuring Judas Priest’s “Johnny B. Goode,” which is played during the closing credits. The film's running time is 1 hour and 31 minutes, and filming took place in the San Antonio area (Georgetown & Alamo Heights) as well as Texas Stadium, located near Dallas in Irving. GRADE: C+

Source on TMDB