Wednesday, December 5, 2012

They Took Over 1985

the Jock, the Brain, the Criminal, the Princess and the Basket Case


The Breakfast Club


“Hey, hey, hey , hey….oooooohoooooohooooo!” yeah, you know the song, and if you recognize the opening lyrics of “Don’t You Forget About Me”, then you remember the totally awesome mega cult hit The Breakfast Club.

The Breakfast Club stars Molly Ringwald (16 Candles) as Claire Standish, Judd Nelson (St. Elmo’s Fire) as John Bender, Emilio Estevez (St. Elmo’s Fire) as Andrew Clark, and Ally Sheedy (St. Elmo’s Fire) as Allison Reynolds.

All do an awesome job excelling in political incorrectness while portraying the very teens one might find in a 1980’s school. Though the thought of an entire movie filmed in a library can be off putting, each performs solidly as lost souls gathered on a dismal Chicago March Saturday. Soon this incoherent group discovers that a Brain, a Princess, a Criminal, a Jock and a Basket Case can do way more as a group than as individuals. Their mannerisms and expressions throughout the movie are perfect. Even individual dance moves in the famous “make up dance” scene betray their individuality. You can imagine each one with their particular click dancing in the same manner during the prom. Also, Gleason performs most excellently as the gnarly Principal Vernon, bent on punishing the “children”.

Memories of teen angst hit me after watching this movie for the 2d time 27 years later. “Yeah, that’s the way it was”, I found myself asking, “Who didn’t relate to at least one of the characters?” I remember shortly after my 1985 viewing how my friends and I comparing ourselves to someone or maybe even a few of the dentionees. It wasn’t hard then and it was just as easy now. And not to mention the awesome crush I had on Molly Ringwald.

Memorable quotes include:

Claire : Do you know how popular I am? I am so popular. Everybody loves me so much at this school. 

Bender: Poor baby. 

Clark: If I lose my temper you're totaled, man. 

Bender: Totally? 

Clark: Totally. 

Bender: Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe? 

Vernon: Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns. 

Sound track was incredible with the hit singles:

“Don’t You Forget About Me” Simple Minds

"Fire In The Twilight" Wang Chung

The Breakfast Club is rate R for language, drug usage and other politically incorrect stuff.