Crash Course

Crash Course

Year: 1988

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Oz Scott

Comedy

Summer driver’s‑ed class brings together cocky Riko, privileged but scared Chad, Vanessa whose over‑protective mother forbids her attendance, and spoiled foreign student Maria. The principal, eager for graduates, hires a tough instructor still reeling from his wife’s leaving and tries to push football star Maslanski through a special pass. A teacher uses the situation to expose the principal’s favoritism, forcing Maslanski to take a makeup exam.

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Timeline & Setting – Crash Course (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Crash Course (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Local High School

A suburban high school serves as the backdrop where a driver's education class becomes the focal point of student life. The hallways and classroom dynamics reveal rivalries, friendships, and budding romances. The school's football program looms large as administrators pressure teachers to raise completion rates, driving the plot and stakes.

🏫 High School 👥 Teen Life 🚗 Driver's Education

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:28

Main Characters – Crash Course (1988)

Meet the key characters of Crash Course (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Maria Abeja (Olivia d'Abo)

The rich foreign girl who relishes prestige and fake confidence, she challenges the group with her self-assured attitude and flirtations, especially toward Kichi, revealing how wealth and status shape social dynamics.

💎 Wealth 💃 Romance

Kichi

A hip-hop-leaning and quick-witted student who often uses rap to speak his mind and flirts with Maria, bringing swagger and humor to the class.

🎤 Rap 🧭 Swagger

Vanessa Crawford

The friendly, attractive girl who naively faked her mother's signature to enroll, navigating social attention while seeking genuine connections.

💖 Popular 🗝️ Rebellion

Principal Paulson

The football-obsessed principal under pressure from the district, balancing school priorities with the reputation of the football program.

🏈 Authority 🎯 Pressure

Abner Fraser

Acting principal who manipulates the system to undermine Paulson, spying on the class and seeking to seize control of the school.

🏢 Ambition 🕵️‍♂️ Scheming

Edna Savage

A tough, no-nonsense driver's ed instructor who quickly takes charge of the class and becomes a catalyst for change and romance with Larry.

🧭 Tough 👩‍🏫 Authority

Larry Pearle

Recently divorced, he starts as a passive, nervous teacher but grows into a more confident mentor capable of connecting with the students and Edna.

🧑‍🏫 Mentor 💪 Growth

Chadley Bennett IV

A loner and bookish student who longs to be cool and to catch Vanessa’s eye, providing a counterpoint to more flashy personalities.

📚 Nerd 🕶️ Aspiration

Riko Konner

The quiet, introspective member of the group whose presence grounds the dynamic and highlights the class's collective journey.

🧩 Quiet 👥 Friendship

Alice Santini

A tomboy whose father owns Santini & Son Concrete; she navigates crushes and challenges while breaking expectations about gender roles.

💪 Independent 🧱 Tough

J.J. Maslanski

The football-eligible student who must pass English to stay on the team, often facing rejection and social pressure within the group.

🏈 Athlete 📚 Striver

Ed Konner

A parent figure within the Konner family, whose presence connects to the broader social dynamics and the intertwined lives of the students.

👥 Family 🧭 Influence

Maxine Konner

Part of the Konner circle, whose interactions reveal the complexities of adult perspectives within the school community.

🧩 Family 🗣️ Influence

Julio Abeja

A member of the Abeja family; his presence ties Maria and the broader social circle to the home life portrayed in the film.

👪 Family 🗺️ Connective

Police Officer

A police officer who observes the class’s drama and contributes to the sense of community and consequence.

👮 Community 🚓 Law

Police Officer 2

Another police officer who participates in the film’s broader moments of tension and safety.

👮 Community 🚨 Duty

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:28

Major Themes – Crash Course (1988)

Explore the central themes of Crash Course (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎯 Pressure

The film centers on institutional pressure—administrators demanding higher driver’s education completion rates to protect the football program—and how students and teachers respond under stress. The outside instructor’s tough methods clash with the exasperated, more passive leadership, forcing changes in classroom dynamics. The tension reveals what characters will sacrifice for status, success, and security.

🌱 Growth

Over the course of the course, the students gain confidence behind the wheel and in their personal lives. Larry grows from a nervous, recently divorced teacher into a more assertive mentor, while his relationship with Edna evolves against the backdrop of class progress. The accident near the end acts as a catalyst that shows resilience and the power of friendship.

💘 Relationships

Romance and friendship bloom in the tight-knit class as students navigate crushes, rivalries, and loyalty. Edna and Larry’s evolving relationship mirrors the students’ shifts from cliques to genuine connection. The driving lessons become a metaphor for trust and stepping into adulthood, as characters open up and support one another through the upheaval.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:28

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Crash Course Summary

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Crash Course Summary

Crash Course Timeline

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Crash Course Timeline

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