Pretty in Pink

Back to John Hughes once more for us to revisit Pretty in Pink. I remember this film coming out and everyone at school being obsessed with Andrew McCarthy. I've always missed the Andrew McCarthy crush gene. In this, he's positively wet and deserves a slap for the way he treats Andie. Come on, who wasn't on Team Duckie? Who could be on a Team supporting anyone called Blane?

Andie, good girl, literally from the wrong side of the tracks, meets Blane, rich spoilt kid who is friends with James Spader's wonderfully sleazy Steff. Duckie is her best friend and she works in a record shop with Iona who has the best line in the movie: "when the duck laid that kiss on me last night, I swear my thighs went up in flames. He must practice on melons or something!"

This is Jon Cryer's film. If you only know him from the dire Two and a Half Men, then you are missing out as he is adorable in this. Molly Ringwald is also sweet although that dress they put her in is completely hideous. I know it was the 80s but take it from me! Nobody wore anything quite that bad. And I grew up in Essex, I know what I am talking about.

My main beef with Pretty in Pink is that kids who were cool like Andie and Duckie would feel like outcasts, have problems making friends or would want anything to do with the horrible, shallow rich kids. I don't remember Blane doing anything nice to make Andie fall for him. Maybe I am taking it too seriously but 25 years after it was made, it still rankles, ok?!

Here is the trailer. Ahhh, the 80s. Weren't they grand?

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club was a film I didn't actually love back in the 80s. On reflection, what was I thinking? It's only one of the best 80s movies ever and a career highlight for John Hughes. Only Ferris Bueller is better and the reason I prefer Ferris is because it is more light hearted and fun.

However The Breakfast Club is completely awesome. Just watch the trailer and remind yourself how great this film is.

Reasons TBC rocks:
1) Judd Nelson. Bender is one of the greatest characters in any teen movie. "Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe?" Probably my favourite line in any film, ever.
2) The Simple Minds song. I don't like Simple Minds but who doesn't love 'Don't You Forget About Me?' So perfect for this film and for the moment they play it at the end.
3) The little dance scene. This clip is terrible quality but worth watching for Emilio alone.
4) Molly Ringwald. She was never better. Not even in Betsy's Wedding...
5) Ally Sheedy. I love how weird she is and how she decorates her drawing with snowflakes by shaking her dandruff on it. I wish she didn't have to be made over but hey, it was the 80s, that's what they did.

Any film that can hold your attention for an hour and half in a school library gets my vote. So here's to The Breakfast Club; its quotable lines and its angst. Often copied but never bettered.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

I could have just done a blog on 80s movies. In fact, this blog is not far away from that. Hell, I could have just done a blog on John Hughes movies and had plenty to say about the matter.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is the best of the John Hughes films. Yes, I put it above The Breakfast Club. For me, it's the pinnacle of all that Mr Hughes did well; fantastic cast, witty script, an understanding of teenagers without being preachy and over earnest and a Yello song. What more could you possibly ask for? Charlie Sheen you say? You got him. A hilarious array of one-liners, I hear? Yep, got them too. In fact, my sister and I can spend an evening quoting Ferris lines to each other. Frankly I am hard pushed to think of a better way to spend an evening.

So Ferris. John really struck gold with Matthew Broderick who is cocky, yet kind. He plays Ferris to perfection. The film is so beautifully set up. The boredom of school is presented to us (voodoo economics), the sunny outdoors beckons and who wouldn't want to play hooky and go round Chicago with Ferris? You just know that he is going to graduate; anyone who can set up the elaborate scheme at home to convince his parents, and anyone who happens to knock at the door, that he is too ill to get up is clearly a smart cookie. So he deserves his day off.

One of the things I love about this is that the three of them spend their day fruitfully. They do the culture thing at the art museum, they eat at a fine restaurant (sausage king of Chicago!), they go to a baseball game, they visit the top of Sears Tower. If you were going to take a day off, this is how you'd want to spend it. Preferably in a vintage ferrari.

I could go through the whole movie and tell you my favourite bits but it would be the longest post ever as I'd pretty much be quoting the entire film. Instead I shall say that Jennifer Grey is so great in this and has one of the funniest scenes in the film when she returns home and punches Principal Ed in the face and calls the police. I also love Alan Ruck as Cameron, Edie McClurg as Grace and Jeffery Jones as Ed Rooney - I just love the way he answers the phone - "Ed Rooooney!"

Ferris Bueller never overstays its welcome. Every scene is perfect and it even plays the credits at the end as more action unfolds - I do love it when a film does that. In short, it's the perfect film for whatever mood you are in - sad, happy, nostalgic - a viewing is like a tonic.

I leave you with one of my favourite moments. Enjoy!