Pretty in Pink (PG-13, 1986)

For most children of the 80s, writer/director John Hughes' films played a considerable role in forming their opinions about what high school was really like. Of course, anyone in high school at the time would have told you differently, but for tweens at the time, movies like The Breakfast Club (1984), Sixteen Candles (1985) and PRETTY IN PINK (1986) served as primers for navigating the shark-infested waters of the high school caste system. Pretty in Pink is the third of such films starring Molly Ringwald. In this one, she plays Andie, a smart girl from the wrong side of the tracks who lives with her well-meaning unemployed father and hangs out with her best friend, Duckie (Jon Cryer). When she develops a mutual crush on a wealthy kid named Blane (Andrew McCarthy) her world is turned upside-down, as friends from both sides disapprove of their relationship.

Although well intentioned, Pretty in Pink's repeated message of being true to oneself is completely lost during its lame conclusion. (A much different ending was intended for the film, yet after proving itself unpopular with test audiences, Hughes switched it). The script is full of clichés and not a shred of chemistry exists between Ringwald and McCarthy. The film's only redeeming qualities are in the performances of its supporting cast, and its totally awesome soundtrack. James Spader is perfectl as McCarthy's best friend Steff, the obnoxious self-entitled snob we love to hate. Annie Potts is divine as nostalgia-ridden Iona, Andie's coworker/mother figure, and Cryer's Duckie evokes sympathy, bemusement, and at times intense irritation.

Despite the film's obvious misgivings, Pretty in Pink is highly entertaining and contains some of Hughes' best one-liners. It's hard to judge how this generation will react to an '80s classic such as this one given its dated look and obvious dialogue. Kids will undoubtedly poke fun at Andie's disastrous sense of fashion, in particular her prom dress, which resembles a pink burlap sack. One thing they most certainly will marvel at is a scene where Blane flirts with Andie using a crude form of instant messenger.

Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: John Hughes
Cast: James Spader, Jon Cryer, Molly Ringwald
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release: June 14, 1986
DVD release: August 20, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: drug use and language