Growing Up With 'Grease' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Growing Up With 'Grease'

Why "Grease" gave me unrealistic expectations of high school.

124
Growing Up With 'Grease'
grease-the-movie.tumblr.com

With "Grease Live" becoming the new craze, I started thinking about the beloved movie. Danny and Sandy are some of the most iconic characters in American movies. I grew up singing “You’re The One That I Want” and imagining my high school days a lot like those of Rydell.

That's where I went wrong. It is my favorite movie by far, but this Rydell High School gave me way too high of expectations.

Physical appearance

In the movie, the characters are fully developed and beautiful. They knew themselves and owned it. They knew how to walk the walk and talk the talk. The thing is that the actors playing these characters were not in high school, they were college age and beyond. So the dream of looking like Sandy or Rizzo did in the movie wasn't very accurate. Everyone was still growing and some of us were still in the really awkward phases.

The Schoolwork

Did we ever see them taking a test or studying? Nope! They were too busy at a diner, or fixing a car, or singing. High school looked like a breeze. No schoolwork? I could totally do that. They never even mentioned having homework, not once. Even Sandy, the good girl, never picked up a book. I guess Rydell didn't believe in work.They wanted their students to come to school, but who needed to learn anything? I wish my high school had an attitude of zero homework.

Athletics

So Danny just walks in the gym, asks to be put on the team, and the coach acted like it was a normal thing. No tryouts or anything. He walked in during the middle of the season, tried a few sports, and picked the one he enjoyed. The coach allowed him to pick a few fights while experimenting with different sports, too. If only real high school athletics were that easy, but then again, could you imagine what a high school team would look like if that was the case?

Parental Guidance

WHERE IN THE WORLD WERE THEIR PARENTS? Apparently they were present during the infamous sleepover but could not hear five drunk guys yelling at their daughter’s window. Maybe they were on vacation for a whole school year? I guess parents were not essential in high school at Rydell. I could not even log on to the computer without a parent's permission at the beginning of the year.

The Future

At the end of the movie, they questioned their future for the first time the entire school year. They quickly blew it off, knowing they would always be together and the future would be grand. My entire senior year was all about the future. I could not get away from planning for it. In class, at home (which, by the way, they never were at home in "Grease"), on the weekends, and at night, the future was always a omnipresent worry. Rydell must have a worksheet for them to follow for the future, something I did not receive.

And let’s not forget the graduation celebration; it was practically a county fair! Pie-A-Teacher, Ferris wheels, and cotton candy, oh my! At my high school, we had a senior picnic with the long awaited slip-n-slide tarp.

But in the end, I made it through without getting stranded at a drive-in and changing myself to make someone else happy. I guess you win some and you lose some.

Rydell High, Rydell forever.


FYI, "Grease" is my absolute favorite movie. Actually, I wanted to watch it after writing this article. I am not dissing the movie, just stating what I saw when I was younger. Even the best movies fall short sometimes, but that's why they are just movies.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

196475
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18601
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460674
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28202
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments