Nearly four decades after the release of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Mia Sara shared her unique experience working on the iconic film. During a recent interview, Sara discussed her career and her role as Sloane Peterson in the 1986 hit. While she acknowledged the movie’s enduring popularity, she admitted to facing challenges working with director John Hughes.
“I don’t really give interviews because making ‘Ferris Bueller’ was not that good an experience for me,” Sara mentioned in an interview with The Sunday Times. “I’m very aware of what a precious thing this movie is, and I don’t want to disappoint people. But I didn’t get along well with John Hughes,” she added.
Now 59, Sara described Hughes as “a strange guy.” The director wanted the cast to bond over French New Wave films, but Sara, already familiar with them as a young actor from New York, felt frustrated by this expectation. “I didn’t have the emotional maturity to deal with other people’s egos, or my own,” she explained.
Reflecting further, Sara revealed she found many elements of acting difficult and viewed her career with mixed feelings. She eventually moved away from acting, finding solace in writing poetry. “I never really had the resilience to deal with the audition process,” she shared. While proud of some achievements, Sara described her acting career as generally unhappy.
Despite her personal struggles, Sara cannot ignore the film’s cultural impact. “My kids say they can see the moment their friends realize I was in the movie, and they say, ‘Wow, your mom was hot!’” she remarked.
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” premiered on June 11, 1986, quickly becoming a notable teen comedy. It featured Matthew Broderick as Ferris, who skipped school to explore Chicago with his girlfriend, Sloane, and best friend, Cameron Frye, played by Alan Ruck. The characters navigated their day while avoiding Ferris’ suspicious sister, Jeanie, played by Jennifer Grey.
Unlike Sara’s experience, filming the movie led to a secret two-year relationship between Grey and Broderick. Alan Ruck recalled an early conversation with Grey about Broderick, which hinted at their budding romance. Despite Sara’s unrequited crush on Broderick during filming, she humorously acknowledged the movie’s timeless legacy and her children’s friends often recognizing her in the film.
Casting for “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” had its challenges too. Ruck, initially seen as too old at 28 for the role of 18-year-old Cameron, convinced casting directors alongside Broderick. Their chemistry and friendly dynamic impressed the filmmakers, cementing their roles as Ferris and Cameron.
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