Preamble
I am a child of the 80’s.
I am a child of the movie/soundtrack combo.
I am a child of cheesy, 80’s pop culture.
John Hughes has a special place in my life – right next to Judy Blume. He is the one film writer/producer/director that made life in the 80’s worth living. I’m sad that teenagers today don’t have this same sort of icon to worship.
Premise of the Plot
We’re transported back to high school in the mid-80’s as seen through the eyes of Andie, Duckie, and Blaine. Andie is a girl from the other side of the tracks – poor, not popular, and not the wearer of designer jordache’s. Duckie is her faithful side-kick - a lovable and adorable outcast who makes high school easier by adding a dose of humor to every day events. Blaine is a well-to-do, sports-jock who tries to follow his heart instead of giving in to peer pressure. While dealing with the pressures of home life and school, Andie and Blaine attempt a relationship. The movie explores their relationships with each other, their “peers”, and their parental units (or lack thereof).
The Cast and Characters
Andie (Molly Ringwald)
Jack (Harry Dean Stanton)
Duckie Dale (Jon Cryer)
Steff (James Spader)
Iona (Annie Potts)
Blaine (Andrew McCarthy)
The Diceman (Andrew Dice Clay)
The Good About This Movie
Just about everything, but specifically, the cast, the writing, and the music.
The Cast
Molly Ringwald is perfect as Andie. She’s attractive but not TOO attractive. She’s strong and independent and not afraid to be herself.
Jon Cryer is an absolute perfect comedic actor. He’s quirky and funny, but at the same time, shows a sensitivity in the loneliness that Ducky experiences.
Andrew McCarthy gives the weakest performance of all of the main actors although, it’s not bad. He’s good at playing the mediocre, wishy-washy, pretty boy.
James Spader continues in his bad boy role as the inwardly insecure, outwardly bullie of the rich boys. Of course, walking around in school dressed in white suit, made him look like a part-time pimp but hey – whatever works!
Annie Potts is HYSTERICAL! As Molly’s mother-figure, she does a great job of portraying a woman who is stuck in a I-Don’t-Want-To-Grow-Up phase. She dresses cool. She talks cool. Her musical tastes are cool.
Harry Dean Stanton’s role is that of a slacker father. I’ve seen Harry in much meatier roles and I felt his talent was wasted here.
Andrew Dice Clay has just a small part in here but it’s worthy of mentioning. The chemistry between him and Jon Cryer is amazing. It was definitely a Abbott and Costello or The Odd Couple sort of comedic play off of each other. These two could have went on the road together and sold out arenas!
The Writing
What’s always brilliant about John Hughes’ movies is the writing. I mean, there are some great, classic lines in here. Most of them, of course, muttered by Duckie Dale.
“Welcome to another day of higher education”
“I’m off like a dirty shirt.”
“His name is Blaine? Blaine! That’s not a name, that’s a major appliance!”
Besides the humor, John adds a certain does of reality to his movies.
In the late seventies and early eighties, there were many of us who were in reverse roles. Because of divorce, unemployment, or mid-life crisis, we were forced to be the parent while our parents got to be the kid. The writers did a great job at integrating the humor of adolescence with the seriousness of growing up in a non-traditional household. Latchkey kid anyone?
Peer pressure and not fitting in was another weighty issue of those teenage years. Although at times, the movie plays heavily on the typical stereotypes of the rich and poor kids, it does a good job of realistically portraying the emotions associated with fitting in (or in most cases, not fitting in).
The Not So Good
Believe me, the good far outweighs the bad but with almost every movie, there are parts you could do without. First, there are a couple of lulls in the movement of the movie. A good example is when Andie and Blaine are at the stables. It was probably necessary to add footage so that a scene could add to the believability of the relationship however, all it made me do was yawn. Second, Andrew’s character mutters something towards the end that is just way too cheesy and frankly, I’m embarrassed for him. Third, Mr. Hughes takes the fairy tale approach and Andie ends up with the wrong person in the end (IMHO).
Soundtrack
You can’t not like this soundtrack. True, you pop fans may not recognize any of the artists, but once you watch this movie, you’ll want to listen to this cd over and over again. John Hughes did a great job of integrating the music into the characters lives.
Other Movies You Must Rent She’s Having A Baby, Some Kind of Wonderful, The Breakfast Club, and Home Alone.
This review is dedicated to my Duckie – David Alan.
One of the best-known films of the 1980s starring well-known Brat Pack members Molly Ringwald (Sixteen Candles) and Jon Cryer (Holy Man), Pretty In Pi...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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