The Breakfast Club Film Review - Coursework Example

English 27 May Film Review: The Breakfast Club The Breakfast Club is a 1985 film which starts off with a quote from the David Bowie song Changes which goes: “And these children that you spit on as you try to change their worlds are immune to their consultations. They’re quite aware of what they’re going through…” while the song “Don’t You” by Simple Minds plays in the background. These two factors sort of psyches up the audience that this is a story about the young; it is a classic film in the sense that the story’s theme is still as socially relevant today, as it was first shown 26 years ago.

The plot is basically about teens and growing up pains. The five main characters in the film are Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez), Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald), Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall), John Bender (Judd Nelson) and Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy) who are brought together one Saturday morning at the Shermer High School library for “detention” – a kind of penalty imposed on each one of them for having done an unacceptable deed. Each of the characters come from different cliques, and are of different types of individuals – the wrestler, the prom queen, the nerd, the outcast and the rebel – but as the story unfolds, they find out that they actually have similarities, common angsts and can actually be friends and confidantes.

From strangers, the story ends with some discoveries, transformations, and finally, some kind of connection between these teens. At first glance, the film seems to be a boring one with much talk and not too much action taking place. The issues brought up by the characters are just too petty and would just send the viewer to shake his/her head in disbelief. As the movie goes along, however, the viewer gets to know more about the characters and it would be unlikely for anyone not to identify with the issues these youngsters faced.

Judd Nelson was particularly credible in the character of the “criminal”, acting as a sort of a leader of the pack in a negative way. He was even the one who initiated funny moments like whistling the Col. Bogey March, and then all the rest followed his lead. In like manner, the character of Allison played by Ally Sheedy also portrayed her part well as the group outcast. She was very amusing as her co-students watched her intently while she bit of her nails and it was the only sound that was being heard in the library.

And then again during lunchtime when she threw away the meat filling from her sandwich and filled it up with cereals and pixie sticks. The other actors did just as well in their respective parts and Director John Hughes should be commended for being able to elicit outstanding portrayals from these young actors. The screenplay was also written by Hughes, and it can be said that this film reflects a traditional theme that is eminent among Hughes’ films – “the basic intolerance and stupidity of adults” (Berardinelli).

This is shown in the way that the adults and the teens in this film just cannot seem to see things eye to eye. This is enhanced by the common ground found by these youngsters who – upon opening up to each other, uncovered that they all had grudges against their respective parents. They also soon discover that they all felt the same – apprehension at the pressure from both parents and peers, and the mounting nervousness at growing up because “when you grow up your heart dies”, thus, the common bond between them.

Despite its good qualities, this film has its negative points too, like the use of profane language, reference to sex and virginity, the violence shown by Bender, disrespect against authority (Bender talking back to Principal Vernon), and the kids using pot in a library. Nevertheless, despite its imperfections, the movie is still worth watching because of the truly great acting, convincing dialogues and credible storyline. Another good reason for watching this film is that it points out that despite the physical and social differences people may have, in reality, people have more in common that inextricably links them to each other.

It is only communication which can break down these barriers for people to understand each other better. Works Cited The Breakfast Club. Dir. John Hughes. Perf. Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy. Universal Studios. 1985. Film. Berardinelli, James. “The Breakfast Club”. ReelReviews.net. 1998. Web. 27 May 2011.