high school years decades later look back fondness others embarrassment find easy forget one critical phases lives changes come fast furious whether were ready not longer children yet adults irresistible forces buffet us pushing pulling us every directionbr br fame best capture turbulent chaotic period cast young characters part succeeded meandered feel like slice life movie holds special place hearts class  bid farewell decade soon end three four stimulating sometimes difficult school years headed cold cruel world leaving home college parts unknown approached watershed event newly released movie like twohour yearbook us escape titular song radio us screen friends rivals classmates faced dreams frustrations successes failuresbr br its especially poignant attended new york citys elite toptier high schools especially stuyvesant bronx hs science brooklyn tech like kids here considered best best auditions instead rigorous entrance exams perhaps even performing arts kids expected change world although necessarily become famous like them us made it pressure cooker environment fostered extraordinary camaraderie esprit de corps unlike toetapping hot lunch jam cafeteria graduation day spirits soared almost like jubilant crescendo rousing finale film leaves us fittingly single triumphant note end i sing body electric pointing blindingly bright boundless future promise heldbr br fame set anywhere else story never would worked small suburban school los angeles stronger identification movies television nyc mecca arts home called pa also worldrenowned juilliard nyc cultural center unmatched city world also time capsule rest city time showing seediness grit dirt endemic new york still struggling back fiscal crisis nearly bankrupted it all showed vitality since muted inroads giuliani disney tourismbr br what give young again fame least remember like