Looking back at 1985, it was a fine year for Brat Pack flicks. St. Elmo’s Fire was the breathtaking follow up to the years earlier Breakfast Club and showed the cast of both films [Estevez, Nelson, Sheedy] in a much more reflective light. What was created under the hand of John Hughes [Breakfast Club] was refined and sculpted by Joel Schumacher [St. Elmo’s Fire].

While some people may chastise me for making such a comparison, these two films carry most of the same plot features. The loner, the brain, the rebel, the jock and the princess develop into the loner, the brain, the rebel, the jock and a few more princesses. Sure one film takes place in a high school setting and the other post college, each of them ultimately boil down to the problems, issues and day to day dilemmas that all the characters face.

St. Elmo’s

When this film hit the box office, it was almost a guaranteed hit. The names were fresh in people’s minds and the advertising blitz was mind boggling for that particular time. The story is nothing new, but it is presented with a few twists. Post college semi-adults trying to figure out what they want out of life – and which road is best suited for them.

Along the way there are obvious pitfalls – hidden love, cheating boyfriends, obsession and plenty of little white lies that snowball into destructive avalanches. What is refreshing about the characters is they seem grounded. Sure some of the things they get away with seem a bit far fetched – each of them have some basic role in relevance to the plot. Much like fast Times At Ridgemont high, there is a plot but it all boils down to a realistic look at post college life in the mid 80’s. One of the bad things is that the plot is scattered – trying to pick this apart and present it is like taking a bowl of popcorn and trying to force it back into the cornstalk.

Each of the actors and actresses bring their own special charm or quality to this film. A majority of the big players in this film were still fresh faces in Hollywood and this was truly a big break for them. The plot is extremely predictable with minimal twists but it is still an enjoyable view.

The Cast

Kirby Keger Emilio Estevez
[Feejack, Repo Man, Wisdom]

Kirby is the eager beaver – lusting after the beautiful Dale [Andie MacDowell] he tries every trick in the book to capture her heart. Estevez carried a little of his Breakfast Club character with him to this film; evident in his semi-jock presence and slightly snobbish attitude. Keger even goes so far as to have a huge party in her honor – at the expense of someone else of course – which Dale never bothers to show up to. He only manages to get a single kiss from Dale but he sure make’s it look worth the hassle. Best friend and roommate to Kevin [Andrew McCarthy]. Estevez suffered at the hands of casting agents that forever tried to pin him to the jock role. While he did a good job in this film, he overacted some scenes to death.

Billy Hicks Rob Lowe
[Austin Powers, Youngblood, Class]

Billy is the token “misguided soul”. Father of Felicia’s child, he struggles to hold down a job, play part time father and try to get in anyone’s pants he can. There is a little bit of Billy in all the characters and that wild side sneaks out from time to time. No one seems to think he’s capable of anything other than a good time except Wendy. She is hopelessly in love with him regardless of the number of times he’s hurt her. Lowe played this character to the letter but almost didn’t get the part when they were casting for the film. Billy and Jules have a special slacker relationship that isn’t limited to the platonic plain.

Jules Demi Moore
[Wisdom, Striptease, The Juror]

Looking absolutely spectacular, Demi Moore was literally created for this role. She has the attitude, grace and dangerous streak but at the same time manages to be the life of the party. While she puts up a very powerful front, under the surface she’s dealing with a full plate. Her step-monster is on life support, her father is no where to be found and her job is on the line Oh yeah, she’s also sleeping with her boss. She is a ‘live in the moment’ type of person but she does her best to try and look out for her friends. Jules finally faces the music when her furniture is repossessed, she finds herself unemployed and broke. The scenes where she is cowering in the corner of her bedroom, lip quivering, is a great example of her range as an actress. The crowned princess of the Brat Pack.

Alec Newbary* Judd Nelson
[Airheads, New Jack City, BBC]

Slightly obnoxious, ever pompous and always on the prowl – Alec is an up and coming political prince. He skirts the issues and swings on more robes than a monkey in the jungle. He literally has it all – a loving fiancé, a job that will take him to the top and a killer loft. He sacrifices it all for nameless screws that eventually come back to haunt him. Nelson kept a little of the gruff side from Breakfast Club - evident in his facial expressions and the way he flips his hair – this character is a little more refined. He see’s nothing wrong with his actions and even justifies them to Kevin – who – you guessed it – is carrying a torch for Alec’s girl Leslie [Ally Sheedy]. Alec walks the fine line between college antics and real world living – he can still stay up all night drinking but has no trouble pulling an all-nighter working on a political campaign. This is a great role to back up his performance in Breakfast Club but doesn’t have the appeal of some of his other, more challenging roles.

Leslie Hunter Ally Sheedy
[Short Circuit, Maid To Order, War Games]

Sheedy needed to liven up this character. Too much sugar, not enough spice makes Leslie a very dull lay. At least that is what Alec seems to think. Sheedy really didn’t put her all into this character – at best she gave 75%. It’s just my take here, but Leslie was more than happy to settle down with a man that she knew was cheating on her – and this was due to the fact that he has a bright road ahead of him. She learned of Alec’s extra marital affairs and snapped during Kirby’s party for Dale. Fast-forward six minutes - Leslie and Kevin are going at it like two wild dogs. Sheedy was a let down for me in this film – she showed little emotion other than red puffy eyes when she realized Alec’s misgivings – I would have been breaking things [other than the shower door that it]. Consider her the frumpy disenchanted princess by association in the Bart Pack.

Kevin Andrew McCarthy
[Joy Luck Club, Pretty In Pink, Class]

Ever have a friend that never seemed to hook up when you went out to a bar or club? Is the reason they go home alone because they are dwelling on someone they still carry a torch for? If you answered yes then you already know this character. Quirky, strange and destined to live alone with a ton of cats in his old age – Kevin finds flaws with everyone. His late night conversations with a hooker prove amusing but overall this character is as flat as a pancake. His relationship with Jules is interesting, but she’s convinced he’s gay and tries to hook him up with her neighbor Ron Dellasandro [Matthew Laurance]. McCarthy needs to pack on a few pounds and get a backbone. While he’ll never get over playing the bad boy, he could easily play the best friend. Consider McCarthy the red headed stepchild in the Brat Pack line up.

Wendy Mare Winningham
[Turner & Hooch, ER, Shy People]

Destined to be a television starlet, Winningham is the token virgin in this flick. Doing whatever she could to try to win over Billy, she defends her virtue until Billy announces that he is leaving town for a better job. Her father plays matchmaker and hooks her up with Howie and offers a Chrysler LaBaron in exchange for an engagement announcement. While Wendy still loves Billy with all her heart, she knows that he will never be hers so she settles for Howie – for the time being that is. The ‘do gooder’ in her slaves away in the public sector trying to help those less privileged. Her friends humor her and her efforts but consider themselves just a little better than the homeless people she tries to aid. Consider Winningham as the pristinely clean emotional doormat demi-princess of the Brat Pack.

Kristinafh Kristinafh
[Epinions, N’SYNC Concert footage, Epinions]

Heehhhh. Did you really think I was through with my two year anniversary rambling? I’ll be posting reviews all week long with the best / worst reviews I could find matched up with the Epinion members they most remind me of. Kristinafh - The silent member of the Brat Pack. She will deny this to the end, but don’t believe her. The resident madwoman obsessed with boy bands, you can find her reviews of films, books and music highly interesting. But if you want to see her evil side, read her online store reviews…. Frisky indeed. And yes, I will reviews all the 80’s flick before you :]~~~

Bottom Line

Considering that this film was released in 1985 – it still has tremendous appeal to it. The characters are like old friends that you only talk to once in a while – but when you do – things just seem to flow. While I have some issues with some of the stars of this film on an individual level – when they are all mixed together, they work well together.

If you like any of the John Hughes films [16 Candles, Weird Science, Breakfast Club] this might be worth a few viewings. Fans of the Brat Pack cannot call them true members if they haven’t seen this at least 20 times. If you like a light comedy that has a little romance mixed in – this may or may not be for you. There is a mix of both, but in a very watered down state.

The Stats

Release Date: June 28, 1985
Rating: R
[Sexual scenes, language, violence]
Run Time 110 minutes
UPC: 043396-60559-6 [VHS]
UPC: 043396-06541-3 [DVD] 2001 issue




Assorted Oddities

Being that I have watched this film well over 100 times, I’ve picked up more useless trivia than I really care to admit. For those who thrive on whipping out odd movie tidbits – here is some fodder for your fire.

Mare Winningham’s brother Patrick was an extra in the film, he played the guitarist in The New Breed Band [playing during the Halloween party].

Felicia’s date was played by none other than Top Gun heartthrob Whip Hubley [he played Hollywood] This was his first appearance in a motion picture – remember Top Gun wasn’t released until 1986.

While St. Elmo’s Fire was centered around Georgetown University it was actually filmed at the University of Maryland. Look close at the scenes with Rob Lowe returning to the frat house [before the football game] and you’ll catch a few of the University of Maryland logos and landmarks in the background.


* Newbary – Also spelled Newbery in some contexts.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age