Spud 3: Learning to Fly

Last updated

Spud 3: Learning to Fly
Spud 3 poster.jpg
Film poster
Directed by John Barker
Written by John van de Ruit
Based on
Spud: Learning to Fly
by
  • John van de Ruit
Produced by Ross Garland
Starring
CinematographyWillie Nel
Edited byMegan Gill
Music by
  • Jon Savage
  • Jane Breetzke
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • 15 November 2014 (2014-11-15)
Running time
89 minutes
CountrySouth Africa
LanguageEnglish

Spud 3: Learning to Fly is a 2014 South African comedy film written by John van de Ruit, directed by John Barker and starring Troye Sivan, John Cleese and Caspar Lee. It is the second sequel to the 2010 film Spud following Spud 2: The Madness Continues (2013). It is based on van de Ruit's novel Spud - Learning to Fly.

Contents

Plot

In 1992 South Africa, sixteen-year-old John "Spud" Milton (Troye Sivan) spends his third year at the elite boarding school, is reunited with his classmates, the Crazy Eight, and is introduced to their new member, "Garlic". They are also introduced to the new acting headmaster, the "New Glock".

The new housemaster, Mr. Richardson, nicknamed "Viking", informs Spud that his scholarship could be taken away because of his poor academic record. He also tells him to in order to keep his scholarship, he must prove his very own worthiness. And lastly, he informs him and the other Crazy Eight members that three new school prefects will be chosen to lead the school next year. But Rambo is against the idea and tells Spud that he’s either with the Crazy Eight or against it.

Later, Spud informs the Guv about his scholarship being taken away, so he tells him to fight as hard as he can in order to win it back; in addition, the Guv introduces him to a new librarian. Spud's name is added to the confirmation classes list, and he regretfully informs Rambo that he's breaking the pact.

Spud spends a weekend at a camp with his girlfriend Debbie, only to break up with her later that night. When he returns home the following day, his mother informs him that his father is having an affair with a new neighbor named Amber. Later that night, Spud is paid a visit by his uncle Frank, who informs him that his father has gone missing, so they find him and take him home.

The Guv informs Spud that he has been spying on the librarian for weeks. Later, he and the other members of the Crazy Eight audition for a school play titled A Midsummer Night's Dream .

During the third team, the Crazy Eight, along with Viking, are attending a speech at the St. Catherine's School for Girls when Spud, his father and Uncle Frank cause trouble by crashing their car into a flagpole. Spud and the other Crazy Eight members are later quarantined from school by the headmistress Ms. Owen, nicknamed "Bulldog".

One night, Christine quietly leads Spud and his friends, except for Rambo and Simon, out of the school and into a nearby building to have some fun, but when the alarm goes off, they make their escape, only to be caught at the last minute by Viking and Bulldog. The next day, Christine is grounded.

While performing in the school's play, Spud is publicly humiliated, so he and his friends sabotage the entire show by short-circuiting the controls and scaring the entire audience away, which causes Viking to be sent to the hospital after having a heart attack. Rambo and Simon blame Spud and his friends for ruining the school play and declare that the Crazy Eight is done, this time for good.

During the summer holidays, Spud shows his father divorce papers, which were given to him by his mother. Spud's father reminds him to tell his mother to give them to him on Friday. A few nights later, Spud's father declares the grand opening of Frank's Bar and Grill, and gives thanks to both his son Spud and his beloved wife, who he finally reconciles with. Debbie also reconciles with Spud, and they celebrate by having drinks together.

During final term, Viking returns to the school and dismisses the charges of sabotage, arson and disrespect in Shakespeare. Later on, the Guv reminds Spud about his scholarship and tells him to say some very important stuff at the election speech.

At the speech, Spud tells everyone the entire story about his scholarship, how he broke the pact with the Crazy Eight, and how he wanted to prove his worthiness. He also tells them that the reason why he wanted to stay is because it's his friends that make them who they are, not the achievements.

At the election, the New Glock announces the new prefects: Larson House, Chris Roach, Simon Brown, Robert Black and John Milton. Spud is not only congratulated by his classmates on becoming the new prefect, but is also awarded the Albert T. Entwistle memorial scholarship by the New Glock. In the end, Spud remarks, "I can't explain it, other than to say it's a warped universal law. Desire something too much, and it plays games with your heart. But walk away from what you love, and you find out what's inside you, what sets you free."

Cast

Production

The film was shot in Cape Town. [1]

Release

The film was released 15 November 2014 in South Africa. Grossing $327,791 theatrically. [2]

Reception

Radio Times awarded the film two stars out of five. [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>School Ties</i> 1992 American drama film by Robert Mandel

School Ties is a 1992 American drama film directed by Robert Mandel and starring Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Chris O'Donnell, Randall Batinkoff, Andrew Lowery, Cole Hauser, Ben Affleck, and Anthony Rapp. Fraser plays the lead role as David Greene, a Jewish high school student who is awarded an athletic scholarship to an elite preparatory school in his senior year.

<i>A Prefects Uncle</i> 1903 novel by P. G. Wodehouse

A Prefect's Uncle is an early novel by author P. G. Wodehouse, one of his school stories for children. It was first published on 11 September 1903 by A & C Black. An American edition was issued by Macmillan from imported sheets in October 1903.

<i>Spud</i> (novel) 2005 novel by John van de Ruit

Spud is a 2005 novel by South African author, actor, playwright and producer, John van de Ruit. A comedic sometimes sad yet straight forward novel that captures the humor of life in boarding school, through the diary of John 'Spud' Milton. The book is written in the style of a diary. The story begins on the morning of Spud's first day at a private boarding school, following his year and experiences with the often eccentric characters found in the school environment. The diary also follows Spud's family life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John van de Ruit</span>

John Howard van de Ruit is a South African novelist, actor, playwright and producer. He has been a professional actor, playwright and producer since 1998. He was born in Durban and educated at Michaelhouse, where he stayed in Founders House and from where he matriculated in 1993. He then went on to complete a master's degree in Drama and Performance at the then University of Natal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troye Sivan</span> Australian singer (born 1995)

Troye Sivan Mellet is an Australian singer-songwriter and actor. After gaining popularity as a singer on YouTube and in Australian talent competitions, Sivan signed with EMI Australia in 2013 and released his third EP, TRXYE (2014), which peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200. Its lead single, "Happy Little Pill", reached the top 10 on Australian music charts. In 2015, he released his fourth extended play, Wild, followed by his debut studio album, Blue Neighbourhood. The album's lead single, "Youth", became Sivan's first single to enter the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 23.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Rambo</span> Character in Rambo film franchise

John James Rambo is a fictional character in the Rambo franchise. He first appeared in the 1972 novel First Blood by David Morrell, but later became more famous as the protagonist of the film series, in which he was played by Sylvester Stallone. The portrayal of the character earned Stallone widespread acclaim and recognition. The character was nominated for American Film Institute's list 100 Years…100 Heroes and Villains. Following the success of the first movie, the term "Rambo" was occasionally used in media circles to describe a lone wolf who is reckless, disregards orders, uses violence to solve all problems, enters dangerous situations alone, and is exceptionally tough, callous, raw and aggressive.

<i>Spud</i> (film) 2010 South African film

Spud is a 2010 South African comedy-drama film written and directed by Donovan Marsh, based on the novel of the same name by John van de Ruit. The film stars Troye Sivan as the title character, alongside John Cleese, Jason Cope and Tanit Phoenix. It was released in South Africa on 3 December 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Voss</span> South African comedian, actor and satirist

Ben Voss is a South African comedian, actor and satirist. He has been a professional actor, playwright and producer since 1998. He has also starred in films alongside John Cleese and Troye Sivan and in the TV series Desert Rose on Mnet and Showmax.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanduk Ruit</span> Nepalese ophthalmologist

Sanduk Ruit is an ophthalmologist from Nepal who was involved to restore the sight of over 180,000 people across Africa and Asia using small-incision cataract surgery.

<i>Billionaire Boy</i> Childrens novel by David Walliams

Billionaire Boy is a children's fiction book written by David Walliams and illustrated by Tony Ross. It was published on 28 October 2010 by HarperCollins. The story follows Joe Spud, who is the richest boy in the country and has everything he could ever want, but wishes to have a friend and learns a lesson on what it's like to be a normal boy. The book was adapted for BBC Television, broadcast on 1 January 2016.

<i>Spud 2: The Madness Continues</i> 2013 South African comedy film

Spud 2: The Madness Continues is a 2013 South African comedy film written and directed by Donovan Marsh and starring Troye Sivan and John Cleese. It is the sequel to the 2010 film Spud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caspar Lee</span> British-South African YouTuber (born 1994)

Caspar Richard George Lee is a British-South African YouTuber and investor. He was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2020 for his work in media and advertising.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Barker (filmmaker)</span> South African filmmaker

John Barker is a South African filmmaker in Johannesburg. He gained prominence through his feature directorial debut Bunny Chow (2006), which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). His other films include Spud 3: Learning to Fly (2014), Wonder Boy for President (2015), and The Umbrella Men (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troye Sivan discography</span> List of musical works by the Australian singer

Australian singer Troye Sivan has released three studio albums, five extended plays, one remix album, one video album, twenty-three singles, and ten promotional singles. On 15 August 2014, Sivan released his first major-label EP, titled TRXYE, which peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200. The lead single from the EP, "Happy Little Pill", reached number 10 on the Australian singles chart. On 4 September 2015, Sivan released his second major-label EP, Wild. His debut studio album, Blue Neighbourhood, was released on 4 December 2015. Its first single, "Youth", became Sivan's first single to enter the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at 23 and earned him his first number-one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. His second studio album Bloom (2018) reached number three in Australia and number four on the Billboard 200 chart. Its lead single "My My My!" became Sivan's second number-one on the Dance Club Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Good Side</span> 2018 single by Troye Sivan

"The Good Side" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Troye Sivan. It was written by Sivan, Leland, Allie X, Bram Inscore, Jam City and Ariel Rechtshaid, with production handled by the latter three. The song was released through EMI Music Australia on 19 January 2018, as the second single from his second studio album, Bloom (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance to This</span> 2018 single by Troye Sivan featuring Ariana Grande

"Dance to This" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Troye Sivan, featuring American singer Ariana Grande. Written by Sivan, Leland, Noonie Bao and its producer Oscar Holter, the song was released by EMI Music Australia on 13 June 2018 as the fourth single from Sivan's second studio album, Bloom (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 (Charli XCX and Troye Sivan song)</span> 2018 single by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan

"1999" is a song by English singer Charli XCX and Australian singer Troye Sivan, released as the lead single from the former's third studio album Charli on 5 October 2018. The single cover was inspired by the 1999 film The Matrix. It follows several singles released earlier in 2018 by Charli XCX and Sivan's 2018 album Bloom. The track reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart dated 22 November 2018, becoming Charli XCX's tenth top 40 single and first top 15 single since 2015, as well as Sivan's fourth top 40 single and his first top 20 single.

<i>In a Dream</i> (EP) 2020 EP by Troye Sivan

In a Dream is the fifth EP by Australian singer Troye Sivan, released on 21 August 2020 through EMI Music Australia and Capitol Records. It follows the release of his second studio album Bloom (2018), and features the singles "Take Yourself Home", "Easy", and "Rager Teenager!".

Characters of <i>Ackley Bridge</i>

Ackley Bridge is a British television drama series that follows the lives of the staff and pupils at the fictional multi-cultural academy school Ackley Bridge College. Series one features the debuts of friends Missy Booth and Nasreen Paracha, headteacher Mandy Carter and her husband Steve Bell, school cook Kaneez Paracha, English teacher Emma Keane and her daughter Chloe Voyle, school sponsor Sadiq Nawaz and his children Alya and Riz, brothers Jordan and Cory Wilson, school receptionist Lorraine Bird, science teacher Lila Shariff, head of pastoral care Samir Qureshi, PE teacher Will Simpson, Missy's mother Simone and grandmother Julie 'Nana' Booth and students Hayley Booth, Razia and Saleem Paracha, Candice Murgatroyd and Naveed Haider. Series two sees the introduction of science teacher Rashid Hyatt, Nasreen's half-brother Aaron Turner, deputy headteacher Javid Shah and student Sam Murgatroyd.

<i>Three Months</i> 2022 American film by Jared Frieder

Three Months is a 2022 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Jared Frieder, and starring Troye Sivan, Viveik Kalra, Brianne Tju, Javier Muñoz, Judy Greer, Amy Landecker, Louis Gossett Jr. and Ellen Burstyn. It was released on Paramount+ on February 23, 2022.

References

  1. "Spud spreads his wings in Spud 3 Learning To Fly". Yahoo!. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  2. "Spud 3: Learning to Fly". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  3. "Spud 3: Learning to Fly". Radio Times . Retrieved 4 October 2018.