User Reviews

The only anti-drunk driving campaign I recall from high school was the 'Prom Promise,' in which you signed a sort of contract that on prom night, you vow not to drive drunk or with someone who had been drinking. That, an a skit performed by some members of the senior class in conjunction with the city police and fire department (which seemed quite successful, since they did it several years). These campaigns are quite valuable in the high school setting, and, as the movie had shown, Students Against Drunk Driving (S.A.D.D.) since it's inception (since 1984, when the film was made), had been quite effective as chapters had been opened in schools nationwide and the overall youth drunk driving death rates had fallen twenty-three percent.

This movie was right on the money about one thing: no one seems to talk to kids about these kinds of things anymore, especially not in school. Not just drunk driving, but lots of those 'peer pressure' things.

In this short, Disney made-for-TV feature, Stephen Macht plays high school hockey coach and life skills teacher, Bob Anastas, who helped found S.A.D.D. after two members of the hockey team die from drunk-driving related accidents. Contract For Life refers to a contractual agreement (and, hopefully, more than that) between kids and their parents that 1) if the kids call on them for help, the parents will help them find a sober ride home and 2) that a parent will set an example by doing the same. Bottom line: avoid driving home drunk or driving home with someone who is drunk.

But, the consistent impression I got from seeing this movie is that it wouldn't work effectively today. It is far too cheesy and doesn't approach the situation realistically enough in a way that would at least get a kid to stop and think about it. It's almost laughable. This movie is done with traditional, after-school special idealistic appeal that just wouldn't work on today's young audiences. These were the kind of out-dated movies they showed in life management (or simiarly named) courses in high school where teen problems are resolved all too easily in the brief time that the movies ran. It had to be, obviously, since these movies were only about thirty or forty minutes long (and had to allow for commercial time).

I don't know what the trend is in drunk driving deaths among youth these days, but I do believe that, if the networks everyone want to sacrifice a teeny bit of airspace (as they should, since they're using the PUBLIC airwaves) (or if the junior high and high schools wanted to use them), should update the story and make it more realistic, if it is to be taken seriously.

My roommates at college senior year and I would watch this movie every night after going out to the bars (we never drove back ourselves, I promise). Anyway, you have to see this movie. The acting is good; well, for an after school special, anyway.

One of my roommate's girlfriends told me that I looked kinda like JD, so I think he's my favorite character, but I don't know who that actor was.

William Zabka ("The Karate Kid"; "Shootfighter") is a pleasant surprise as the hockey captain, but his role isn't as big as it should be.

Something fun to look at is how when he's dancing at the party, David Shaw, the main character, is holding his cupcake so as not to spill any of it on the floor (who bakes cupcakes for high school parties, by the way?).

I could talk about CfL forever, but I'll just say that it was awesome! Great entertainment, especially for those college nights while waiting for a pizza at 2:30 in the morning.

An excellent overall movie. The plot revolves around drunk driving. Coach Bob Anatsas creates SADD (Students against Drunk Driving.)

This movie has everything --Hot girls (Estee Chandler) Lucy Wilson --COol Guys (JD) --Great Score --Outta sight Special effects --Very diverse cast (Black people--Marcus, Gay people--Reynolds, Sluts--Football slut) ---Rockin' Parties ---Great one-liners ("I can fight my own battles")

I thoroughly recommend this movie to anyone.

Way to go Bob Anastas!

I first saw this film in my driver's education class in high school. I was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of William Zabka (you remember him as Johnny Lawrence from "The Karate Kid"). I didn't think much of the rest of the film, as I was watching it in class and no doubt had some homework to do.

A friend of mine from college saw the box lying around in a movie bin at a local video store and he saw Zabka's picture on the cover, so he decided to buy it for me as a joke because he knew what a fan of "The Karate Kid" I am. We watched it and we were fascinated by a few things: the blatant overacting; the relationship between David Shaw, the new transfer, and Lucy Wilson, the high school sweetheart who "likes to maximize rejection"; and the use of the word 'forgetaboutthem'. Upon subsequent viewings (and there have been many), we found even more interesting the film's social commentary as depicted by Shaw's relationships with the African-American (Marcus) and the homosexual (Reynolds).

An interesting sidenote to the social commentary is the discussion of drinking and driving and the devastation it can cause - to a family, to a hockey team, and to a new kid's relationship with the (now former) captain's ex-girlfriend.

In all seriousness, though, if you are a driver's ed teacher, please show this film to your class. It demonstrates the formation of a great group which has now changed its name to Students Against Destructive Decisions, and it shows how drunk driving can impact so many people so terribly. As a joke to your class, point out some of the things I mentioned in this review, especially about William Zabka's role and the homosexual tendencies of Reynolds, and I'm sure your class will watch more intently.

Contract for Life is most easily described as a masterpiece of a film. The plot is riveting as a small town is hit by the deaths of two of it's hockey stars in two separate drunk driving accidents. Coach Bob Anastas (Stephen Macht) must shepard the school and the entire community through these dark times.

The acting is superb. An allstar crew led by William Zabka (Karate Kid) and Stephen Mact (Zork Nemesis). The characters paint a colorful picture of Grant High.

Coach Bob Anastas (Stephen Macht)provides a strong foundation for others around him. His use of the phrase "Alright!" has spread all over the PA,NY,NJ area as a tribute to his eminence.

Rick Peterson (William Zabka) is the charming but foolhardy captain. He will be forever linked to Tino Martinez and Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train after this movie.

David Shaw (Robert Chestnut) The new transfer is a "I can fight my own battles" kind of guy. He's got a really cool King Kong poster too.

JD- One of the coolest guys in the film. An overall badass. You want this guy in your corner. Greatest quote "I like to drink and I like to party and I KNOW that Im not the only one."

Marcus- Your protypical cooooool smooooooth brotha.

Lucy Wilson (Estee Chandler) What can I say about sweet Estee Chandler?

Reynolds (Charles Vally) As queer as a three dollar bill. Watch for the homosexual nuances during the film for some good comic relief.

As you may be able to see, the members of Grant High have changed my life. Thank you Bob Anastas,God Bless you!