What if they were 17 again?

Johnny Depp

Now: Depp’s at the top of the Hollywood food chain with hotly anticipated movies like this summer’s “Public Enemies” [pictured right]

Then: Lucky to nab a starring role in something as unremarkable as the 1985 sex comedy “Private Resort” [pictured left]. Depp joined forces with a pre-“Northern Exposure” Rob Morrow, as bored kids working at a tropical resort who waste away the days while trying to flirt with female clientele. The movie is silly and often stupid, featuring gratuitously cheeky nude scenes for both its stars. It made less than $1 million at the box office, but lucked into a legacy by showcasing the charisma of a future A-list actor.

Better when? No doubt about it, Depp’s time is now.