1980s was a decade of some great teen movies, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, The Breakfast Club, St. Emlos Fire, Pretty in Pink, Say anything, Karate Kid, Stand by me, Risky Business, Sixteen Candles, Some Kind of Wonderful, Heathers and many more. Even in the later decades there have been some great teen movies, but nothing has matched the class, maturity, characterisation and the message of The Breakfast Club.
The following are the key reasons why The Breakfast Club is the best teen movie ever, and you should watch it immediately if you have not it till now:
1. Great Message: “We are all pretty bizarre, some of us are just better at hiding it”. It is a story of 5 teens in detention – each of them is very different. Andy is in college’s wrestling team, Claire is the good looking girl from a rich family, Brian is with bright brains, John is the trouble maker and Ally is the basket case. When they get together they realize that each of them is having different issues. Andy hates the fact that his dad only wants him to win in wrestling. Claire’s parents are getting a divorce and use her to get back at each other. John also hates his father and comes from a background of child abuse. Ally also has issues at home and she feels like an outcast. Brian is looking for acceptance from other people. In the end, all of them get the realization that no one’s life is perfect. They all get new direction and new message by the end of the movie. It is coming of age for all the 5 teens.
2. Great Characterization and screenplay: John Hughes should get all the credit being the writer and director of the movie for this. The character created by him and the screenplay is amazing. The way the characters unfold and they share their deep secrets is really gripping and impressive. By the end of the movie – you are in love with all the characters.
John Hughes with the cast:
(Source: Quotesgram)
(Source: Pinterest)
Source: Vanity Fair
3. Great Acting: Emilio Estevez(Andy), Anthony Mitchell(Paul), Judd Nelson(John), Molly Ringwald(Claire) and Ally Sheedy(Ally) have played their parts in a brilliant manner. In addition, Paul Gleason has played the role of tough assistant principal Richard Vernon. They have called the “Brat pack” and have worked together again in “St. Emlo’s Fire” – another solid movie. I specifically love the confession scene with Emilio Estevez, he is an amazing actor:
Judd Nelson as John not liking authority is evident in most scenes with the assistant principal, Richard Vernon – who has himself acted very well:
John’s chemistry with Claire is amazing throughout the movie:
And the cult smoking scene:
4. Don’t you forget about me: This song by simple minds became is cult song with the movie. It got featured in many other teen movies like American Pie, Pitch Perfect and Easy A. Enjoy the song here:
I guess these are more than enough reasons to make The Breakfast Club, the greatest teen movie ever! I think the biggest reason is still missing, the biggest reason will be known – when you see the movie (again, if you have already seen it) – you will just love it!
