Title: The Breakfast Club
Starring: Molly Ringwald, Antony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez
Synopsis: Due to a myriad of differing reasons that slowly surface as the film unravels, The Breakfast Club is the story of five teenagers who must spend their Saturday in detention. Monitored by their bitter and unjustifiably cruel Principal (Paul Gleeson) but under the influence of ‘criminal’ and all around rebel John Bender (Nelson, St. Elmo’s Fire), the quintet have a very unusual experience of detention that includes cereal sandwiches, illegal substances and meaningful heart-to-hearts.
Set a task to write a letter explaining what they did wrong, the group bond over their unwillingness to complete the work. All except Brian (Hall, Weird Science) at least, who is credited as ‘The Brain’ of the group. Each individual starts off the movie as a walking stereotype, a stock character with no true identity; however, Hughes’ direction is one that breaks down stereotypical gender and class roles, exposing the truth of humanity and showcasing that everyone is, in fact, a person.
This emotive and poignant message is constant throughout the film, in scenes such as Bender and Andrew (Estevez, The Mighty Ducks) fighting and Alison’s (Sheedy, St. Elmo’s Fire) moving silences. While constantly underpinning the movie’s narrative, the themes come to the forefront during an emotional and relatable group confession that the detention attendees partake in. This pivotal scene beautifully captures Hughes’ vision of an undivided society, the group finally seeing each other as people rather than a by-product of a clique.
As the film draws to a close, we see each individual coming together to form ‘The Breakfast Club’, an unexpected combination of kids from every background. One letter, two romances and the most important fist-pump known to man later, the end credits are rolling and your cheeks are stained by tears, your sobs muffled by the resonating notes of Simple Minds’ ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’.
Marvellously humorous yet incredibly moving, The Breakfast Club is considered the most iconic of all eighties teen movies. With a witty janitor (John Kapelos), relatable characters and a smash-hit soundtrack, The Breakfast Club is truly a cinematic classic.
Watch if You Liked: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty In Pink, Say Anything
Rating: 10/10. I can’t even say that the only flaw this film has is that it had to end because the ending is so beautiful, it brings the entire story together in the most poignant of unions rendering you with a complete sense of closure yet a longing to re-watch this eighties masterpiece.
Words by Heather Moss