I fell into the trap faced by many Xennials of watching movies as a kid that went way over my head. Better Off Dead released in 19851 is one of them.
The protagonist, Lane Meyer, is despondent after the break-up with his girlfriend Beth. He tries various cometic failed suicide attempts, experiences taunts from his girlfriend’s newest boyfriend and eventually faces his anxieties with the help of the French foreign exchange student next door and his best friend.
A great pizza place in Blue Springs, Missouri gives homage to this movie with its wall of memorabilia.2 The food was really good too. My son enjoyed the Spaghetti Bolognese while my husband and I tried the “the meats”. The crust was hand-tossed Louis style brushed with butter and garlic. Generous portions of meats and mozzarella cheese topped the pizza. I awarded it extra points for the crunchy pepperoni.
The staff was extra friendly and the kitchen was speedy. The owner’s spouse took the time to ask where we were from, how we heard about the place, and explained the provenance of some of the things in her husband’s Better Off Dead collection.
Overall THE Pizza Place has great food, a good atmosphere, and their pleasant staff made this a memorable visit. If you ever find yourself heading southeast from Kansas City, make sure to give THE Pizza Place a try in Blue Springs, Missouri.
“Better Off Dead,” IMDB, 2024, Accessed: 15 September 2024. Better Off Dead, Savage Steve Holland, director, with John Cusack, Diane Franklin, David Ogden Stiers, Kim Darby, Amanda Wyss, and Curtis Armstrong, DVD, Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment, 2002, 97 minutes.
“THE Pizza Place.” 2024. Accessed: 15 September 2024.