Guide to John Hughes’ 80’s Teen Movies
Published by simon on August 9, 2007The other i was watching the 90’s spoof comedy ‘Not Another Teen Movie‘, i couldn’t help noticing the numerous John Hughes references, not least of all with Molly Ringwald appearing in one of the scenes.
In my book, John Hughes is the king of 80’s teen movies, primarily working a select few young stars he loves to use, like Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez and Judd Nelson. Hughes has also written and directed lots of other movies from different genres right up to the present, but he is almost always remembered for the trio of movies that inspired a whole generation of teenagers (and not to mention modern day moviemakers) - Pretty in Pink, the Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles.
Sixteen Candles - “It’s the time of your life that will last a lifetime.”
The first of the three movies, written, directed and produced by him. Story of Sam (Ringwald) who’s parents forget her sweet 16th birthday amidst preparing for her older sister’s wedding. In the mix, she’s also in love with the cool guy in school (Michael Schoeffling). Michael Anthony Hall and a very young John Cusack appear in the movie as two geeks. Takes the (birthday) cake for introducing a character named Long Duk Dong.
The Breakfast Club- “They’ve Only Met Once, But it Changed their Lives Forever.”
I’ve written about this before (read it here), it’s by far my favorite movie from the 80’s. It’s funny, touching, sad and inspiring at the same time, definitely reminded me of my school days… although i never spent a day in detention…
Pretty in Pink- “The laughter. The lovers. The friends. The fights. The talk. The hurt. The jealousy. The passion. The pressure. The real world..”
Written by John Hughes, it’s about a social misfit Andie (Molly Ringwald again) from the wrong side of town who falls in love with a rich guy (Andrew McCarthy). John Cryer plays Andie’s best friend who’s (not so) secretly madly in love with her. I remember feeling that the ending was a bit cliched, but what the heck, this was the 80’s…!!
John Hughes also wrote and directed two more famous teen comedies (among many others), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Weird Science, but did not feature any of the Brat Pack stars from the trio above:
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off- “The laughter. The lovers. The friends. The fights. The talk. The hurt. The jealousy. The passion. The pressure. The real world..”
A superb film that makes slmost any top ten 80’s list, it’s deliciously funny although a little impossible how he could have fit all those activities in one day! Too bad Matthew Broderick didn’t become the huge star i envisioned him to be after the movie, although he IS married to Sarah Jessica Parker…
Weird Science- “It’s all in the name of science. Weird Science.”
Didn’t really like this show, although Kelly LeBrock appears. Watching it back, the effects and the computer ‘tech’ looked really cheesy and outrageous, but i remembered it spawned an equally forgetable TV series starring Courtney Cox. Kind of weak compared to the other John Hughes movies…
Technorati Tags: Not Another Teen Movie, John Hughes, Molly Ringwald, 80’s, teen movies, Emilio Estevez, Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science
I don’t know ANY of these movies…how can that be? You are not that much older than me!
How did you get your hands on them? Rent-a -video?
Wow..I used to watch and re-watch these movies over and over and over again. Esp, Breakfast Club. I’m just amazed a guy actually likes them.
I just saw “stand by me” again last night. So nice. Why can’t they make movies like this anymore?
Then again, I’m very much in love with the dearly departed River Phoenix and very alive John Cusack. HA HA HA!
ann - let me pass you some of my collection.
mott - glad to find another fan!
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