For the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, I will be reviewing a different romantic comedy movie every week. I am only choosing classics from previous decades that address social issues or offer a unique spin on the romance genre.
John Hughes is one of the most prolific directors and screenwriters of the late 20th century. He was a kingpin in family movies with hits like the “National Lampoon” and “Home Alone” franchises. Our generation is intimately familiar with his films like “Flubber” and “101 Dalmatians,” but somehow less so with his work that took the ‘80s by storm.
One man single-handedly defined what it meant to be a teenager in an incredibly electric decade one where it wasn’t enough to be an innocent child anymore. Sex, drugs, unrequited affection, class and technology were the discourses the ‘Brat Pack’ took on. Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez and Judd Nelson became the role models of Generation X. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Sixteen Candles” are timeless classics. “The Breakfast Club” tackled serious topics and still managed to be entertaining.
“Pretty in Pink” is another film that did just that, but for some reason, many millennials fail to recognize its worth. While the film is iconic and quintessential Hughes, many have never seen it or they fail to place it on the same pedestal as other “Brat Pack” projects.
I’m here to sing the praises of this thoughtful and powerful film.
Molly plays a quirky high school girl named Andi who lives, literally, on the wrong side of the tracks. Her father is unemployed, making money a daily worry in their household, but Andi makes her own clothes and works at a record store to help out.
Unfortunately, due to Andi’s socioeconomic standing, she is subject to bullying. The “popular” crowd at school terrorize her for no other reason than her being poor. One of her biggest antagonists is Steff (James Spader), rich and drop-dead gorgeous, who also ostracizes er flamboyant and utterly smitten friend Duckie (Jon Cryer.)
When Andi catches the eye of uber-rich boy Blaine (Andrew McCarthy,) her life as a poor outcast is thrown into the spotlight of her high school. Duckie tries to discourage her from pursuing Blaine, but Andi does it anyway.
Blaine finally asks Andi to the prom, but later decides he is too embarrassed to go through with it. Andi, while hurt, makes herself a fabulous pink dress and goes with Duckie. Eventually, Blaine and Andi reconcile their differences much to the chagrin of the popular crowd. It’s an 80s teen movie, it’s supposed to have a happy ending.
However, this film is more than just a great teen movie.
First of all, “Pretty in Pink” tackles social class not just in high school. The juxtaposition of Blaine and Andi illustrate just how much value the American people place on physical wealth. Andi, Duckie, her boss Iona (Annie Potts) and her father exemplify the kinds of things money can’t buy. Friendship, family, kindness and compassion are concepts that the popular, rich kids can’t seem to replicate.
Another character in this movie, Steff, is Blaine’s friend and Andi’s most ruthless bully. We learn later the only reason Steff is so horrid to Andi is because she rejected his sexual advances a concept that wasn’t as seriously discussed in the 1980s. The current movement in Hollywood isn’t addressing brand new issues and Weinstein isn’t the first rich and powerful man to take advantage of his status. Steff is a rich, handsome, powerful and popular guy who terrorized someone who couldn’t fight back. Ultimately, Steff is left looking like a douche bag.
Not only is “Pretty in Pink” an entertaining film, it’s a thoughtful one. The plot lines in this classic romantic comedy encouraged a discussion of looming social issues and it continues to be
relevant now.