Better Off Dead...

High school student Lane Meyer begins a Saturday morning, a few weeks before Christmas, readying himself for the ski team tryouts at his school. His mind is consumed by thoughts of his girlfriend, Beth, played by Amanda Wyss, as he packs his gear into the family’s aging jalopy station wagon. Little does Lane know, Beth has her own plans—she intends to break up with him in favor of Roy Stalin, characterized by the formidable Aaron Dozier, the school’s ace skier and captain of the team. Stalin is the only one capable of conquering the perilous K-12 slope, notorious for its history of painful injuries to aspiring competitors. As both a priority and a privilege, he holds auditions, and instantly, his focus shifts to Beth, allowing her to take charge of his clipboard while he assesses the tryouts.

Lane completes his run, clocking in with a qualifying time, but is disqualified when Stalin neglects to write down Lane’s score before he crosses the finish line. Heartbroken and dejected, his spirits drop even further when Beth breaks the news that she’s ending their six-month relationship; she feels a need to be with someone more popular. This shocking turn of events leaves Lane determined to win her back, but alas, all his attempts go awry, deepening his sorrow and driving him to contemplate various unsuccessful methods of escape from his emotional turmoil.

As Lane navigates through his challenges, he struggles in a part-time job at a burger joint owned by Rocko, an abrasive character portrayed by Chuck Mitchell. Additionally, he faces relentless harassment from two Korean brothers, Yee Sook Ree and Chen Ree, who tempt him into street racing—an experience that leaves Lane battered and defeated time after time. His frustrations mount, compounded by the nagging from his father, David Ogden Stiers, who insists Lane begin dating again while working on a pet project: restoring an old 1968 Camaro that sits dormant on their front lawn.

In an awkward attempt to set Lane up, his father introduces him to the insufferable Joanne Greenwald, portrayed by Rima Lyn. Joanne makes it evidently clear that she isn’t interested, turning Lane away even before their anticipated school dance. However, at the dance, Lane finally connects with Monique Junot, played by Diane Franklin, a shy French foreign exchange student residing with Lane’s neighbors, the Smiths. Jealousy arises from Ricky, Monique’s host brother, as she momentarily becomes the center of Lane’s affections.

Lane’s friend Charles De Mar, an eccentric, drug-loving misfit, suggests that the only path to winning Beth back lies in conquering the perilous K-12. With wild and reckless determination, Lane attempts the challenging slope multiple times, only to face failure. However, fate intervenes one night when he finds Monique unleashing frustration by throwing oranges at a street sign. In a revealing moment, she discloses her fluency in English, a secret she had kept from Ricky and his overbearing mother to fend off unwanted attention. They bond over their shared frustrations, and Lane vows to keep her secret.

The next morning leads to an unsuspected twist, as Monique unexpectedly works on Lane’s Camaro, miraculously reviving its engine. United in their efforts, they successfully restore the vehicle, and Lane feels a newfound confidence. During a chance meeting at a red light, he triumphs over the Korean brothers with his rebuilt car, while a new romance ignites during a dinner date at the burger place where he lost his job.

As tensions escalate with Roy, who continues to make off-color remarks about Monique, she stands up for Lane, ultimately leading to a confrontation where it’s announced over the PA system that a showdown is set for the K-12. The anticipation builds as the whole town turns out to witness the high-stakes race. Monique coaches Lane through the trials and tribulations of skiing K-12, providing unwavering support and encouragement even as obstacles arise.

Lane’s victory in the race is hard-won, culminating in a climactic victory lap where he is embraced by Beth, only to realize that Monique deserves his attention too. With a determined heart, he pursues her just as Ricky issues an absurd challenge involving ski poles. Unperturbed, Lane triumphs, tossing Ricky into the arms of his surprised mother as he carries Monique off into the sunset.

The film culminates in an unforgettable moment where Lane and Monique enjoy a passionate kiss on his Camaro parked at Dodger Stadium, while a paperboy, persistently seeking payment for an overdue subscription, cycles by, reminding viewers of the whimsical charm interwoven in Lane’s journey towards love and self-discovery.

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36