All things change with time, but John Hughes written/directed work The Breakfast Club is still considered a rite of passage for many teens of the present day. Hailed by some as the birth of the “Brat Pack” with actors such as Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson, this film not only approached the inner psychology of teenagers in high school but also highlighted the way teens are viewed and treated by the rest of adults in society. As it was praised for its cultural relevance, The Breakfast Club was selected for a place in National Film Registry in the Library of Congress in 2016 thirty-one years after being released.
Five young actors play five vastly different characters with five back-rounds, fit five stereotypes, with five different sets of problems. The film stars Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, and Anthony Michael Hall. They each represent a separate social construct often seen in high school: a princess, a brain, an athlete, a basket case, and a criminal. At least, that is the way they feel perceived by their authority figures. All five students are subjected to each other’s company via Saturday school detention. They are overseen by their principal Mr. Vernon played by Paul Gleason, who instructs them to write a thousand word essay on how they see themselves. What ensues next is a day spent of fights, arguments, misinterpretations, understanding, and much later, empathy as the five students begin to see the point of view of one another whilst understanding the different ways in each one of them feels pressure in their own daily lives. As they progress through the day, many questions are answered and many issues resolved when they eventually lower their defences so as to open up to one another about the issues they deal with. These include peer pressure, parental problems, academic burden, and even child abuse and neglect.
The film’s strengths lie within its content. John Hughes, considered by many to have penned his own genre, gave the film style that resonated with audiences in the 80’s but it’s the script that will stand the test of time. The performances are solid across the board and each actor brought their own flare to the table. Judd Nelson stands out with his portrayal of Bender, because he is the only character to actually challenge the authority of Vernon. The chemistry of both Nelson and Gleason give the movie attitude being that Vernon represents more than just the principle but also the overall authority and perception of the way adults see teenagers even today, and Bender is the antithesis of that abuse. Ringwald is also a gem, as her emotional range is almost unmatched by the rest of the cast and she shows she has the ability to turn them off and on like a light switch. Estevez, Hall, and Sheedy all have their moments to shine and do so with distinction and prominence. Emilio Estevez’s performance alone could be characterized as “brave” for its time, as masculinity of the 1980s was still very prevalent, and with Estevez’s ability to bear his soul to the rest of the group was not and is still not common place amongst men.
The Breakfast Club is roughly thirty-five years old and yet it could’ve almost been made yesterday.
All in all, the actors and the director worked together in near flawless sync to deliver this movie in its fullest form. To date, The Breakfast Club is roughly thirty-five years old and yet it could’ve almost been made yesterday. Sure, some of the content has run its course because times change and society grows. However, John Hughes and the rest of the cast have immortalized this film into something that will likely be studied for years to come. It is currently available for purchase as well as on multiple streaming platforms.
