also not many realize this but Carl the Janitor is an integral character that very few realize. It's ironic because with how little he is spoken about in pop culture he has more lines than Boba Fett did in the original Star Wars trilogy. But, Carl was the bad ass back in the day. he was the Judd Nelson type character that attended Shermer High School. In the beginning of the film his class picture from 1969 is shown. Carl was as he said it the eyes and ears of the institution. He listened to their conversations, read their notes, looked through their lockers. (that's why Judd Nelson was bugging out because he said oh boy! he's seen my weed!)He knows whos on drugs, whos screwing who, whos causes what trouble etc. Carl resents the kids, but he gets them. he talked to them on a street smart level and Mr. Vernon was just an empty suit. A tough ass hot shot principal with the fancy degree but doesnt do anything to help the kids. If anything he's a bully himself. instead of trying to help them he mocks them. he doesnt put himself in the shoes of a 16 year old. Carl does. and you hear the janitor use words such as peasant, surf, and pianc which arent words you'd expect a janitor to use. He doesn't have the big degree but he's far more versed in life than Vernon in a street smart way. and Carl had Vernon when he was a student and now that Vernon is the principal and Carl is the Janitor Vernon loves the lure that over him. Yet when they were in the office on their down time Carl vehemently mocks Vernon and goes right out and says if you were 16 would you have respect for yourself? Vernon might be sittin pretty with his hot shot gig but Carl is the man of wisdom and in touch with reality of the world and the one that truly helps the kids.
Did you see the censored version where all the marijuana references get replaced with diamonds? A long time I saw it on a Saturday afternoon channel before we had cable. Somewhere between 2000-2004. I looked it up yesterday as I was traveling and saw a guy where a fan t-shirt of the movie. Couldn't find the diamond version. Anybody know?
great read Brent! spot on! the generation Z kids do not know what life is like without an iphone or a tablet and lack the face to face people skills. unless if their parents have instilled the old school manerisms into them
Nice assessment here, only it’s missing the sage wisdom character who define this film for me more than any other. From the moment he appears on screen he is the reflector of condescension back to everyone with whom he interacts.
There’s Bender’s masterfully sarcastic, hilarious quip: ‘Carl, how exactly might one pursue a career in the custodial arts?’ Carl explains to everyone within earshot how he doesn’t mind being the garbage man because he is the eyes and ears of the institution who knows everyone’s secrets.
also not many realize this but Carl the Janitor is an integral character that very few realize. It's ironic because with how little he is spoken about in pop culture he has more lines than Boba Fett did in the original Star Wars trilogy. But, Carl was the bad ass back in the day. he was the Judd Nelson type character that attended Shermer High School. In the beginning of the film his class picture from 1969 is shown. Carl was as he said it the eyes and ears of the institution. He listened to their conversations, read their notes, looked through their lockers. (that's why Judd Nelson was bugging out because he said oh boy! he's seen my weed!)He knows whos on drugs, whos screwing who, whos causes what trouble etc. Carl resents the kids, but he gets them. he talked to them on a street smart level and Mr. Vernon was just an empty suit. A tough ass hot shot principal with the fancy degree but doesnt do anything to help the kids. If anything he's a bully himself. instead of trying to help them he mocks them. he doesnt put himself in the shoes of a 16 year old. Carl does. and you hear the janitor use words such as peasant, surf, and pianc which arent words you'd expect a janitor to use. He doesn't have the big degree but he's far more versed in life than Vernon in a street smart way. and Carl had Vernon when he was a student and now that Vernon is the principal and Carl is the Janitor Vernon loves the lure that over him. Yet when they were in the office on their down time Carl vehemently mocks Vernon and goes right out and says if you were 16 would you have respect for yourself? Vernon might be sittin pretty with his hot shot gig but Carl is the man of wisdom and in touch with reality of the world and the one that truly helps the kids.
Right on! Carl is the man
Did you see the censored version where all the marijuana references get replaced with diamonds? A long time I saw it on a Saturday afternoon channel before we had cable. Somewhere between 2000-2004. I looked it up yesterday as I was traveling and saw a guy where a fan t-shirt of the movie. Couldn't find the diamond version. Anybody know?
Haha did not see that one, thankfully
We need face to face and I wish those of who appreciate one another could meet on zoom, google meets, Skype, it would be great
great read Brent! spot on! the generation Z kids do not know what life is like without an iphone or a tablet and lack the face to face people skills. unless if their parents have instilled the old school manerisms into them
exactly
Spot on observations and how damn sad.
Nice assessment here, only it’s missing the sage wisdom character who define this film for me more than any other. From the moment he appears on screen he is the reflector of condescension back to everyone with whom he interacts.
There’s Bender’s masterfully sarcastic, hilarious quip: ‘Carl, how exactly might one pursue a career in the custodial arts?’ Carl explains to everyone within earshot how he doesn’t mind being the garbage man because he is the eyes and ears of the institution who knows everyone’s secrets.
Nope