By Robbie Jones
Go out into the street and start asking people what their favourite movie is. Chances are you’ll get a lot of obvious answers: The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, Citizen Kane, Rocky etc. There films are practically the go to material when asked that question, but I can honestly say you wouldn’t hear any of those come out my mouth if you asked me. While they’re all great films, there has never been a film that has entertained me more than The Breakfast Club.
Released in 1985 and written/directed by the late, great John Hughes, The Breakfast Club tells the tale of 5 high school stereotypes (an athlete, a princess, a brain, a freak, and a criminal) who are all kept in for a Saturday detention and asked to write an essay on who they think they are. They only met once, but it changed their lives forever as these students soon realised they’re not as a different as they once thought.
Go out into the street and start asking people what their favourite movie is. Chances are you’ll get a lot of obvious answers: The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, Citizen Kane, Rocky etc. There films are practically the go to material when asked that question, but I can honestly say you wouldn’t hear any of those come out my mouth if you asked me. While they’re all great films, there has never been a film that has entertained me more than The Breakfast Club.
Released in 1985 and written/directed by the late, great John Hughes, The Breakfast Club tells the tale of 5 high school stereotypes (an athlete, a princess, a brain, a freak, and a criminal) who are all kept in for a Saturday detention and asked to write an essay on who they think they are. They only met once, but it changed their lives forever as these students soon realised they’re not as a different as they once thought.
Alongside Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (another excellent John Hughes film), this is essentially the definitive teen movie. High school movies are one of my favourite genres, and they never get old. From 10 Things I Hate About You to Clueless, and from Get Over It to Mean Girls, high school movies provide unlimited entertainment for me, even more so considering I’m a teenager. But The Breakfast Club is a lot more than that. Let me say this now: This movie may not be for everyone. Why? Because it’s so cheesy it’s unreal. Seriously, if you didn’t cringe when Emilio Estevez screamed so loud that the glass shattered, then you’re stronger than most. To this day, I think the scene is absolutely hilarious. This is later on followed by some, uh; ‘interesting’ dance moves...
But the film doesn’t go out of its way to be cheesy; at its heart, it’s a comedy, and a good one at that. Hughes’ script is quite amazing; the dialogue is either really funny or shockingly powerful. It’s helped even more by the wonderful performances, especially Judd Nelson, who was quite frankly excellent in his role. He plays John Bender, a school bully and outcast with rough home life who is widely believed to fail in life. He is hated by the group, and even more so by their principal running the detention, Mr. Vernon (Paul Gleason). Their exchanges at the beginning are hilarious (“Yeah, I have a question... Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?”) and the chemistry between the actors is great, one that is never beaten or paralleled in the film. Saying that, Judd Nelson’s chemistry in the film is great, with his snide remarks towards Molly Ringwald and his little fights with Emilio Estevez, topped with his subtle insults towards Anthony Michael Hall. He’s an absolute ass to everyone, yet somehow remains the best character in the movie.
But the film doesn’t go out of its way to be cheesy; at its heart, it’s a comedy, and a good one at that. Hughes’ script is quite amazing; the dialogue is either really funny or shockingly powerful. It’s helped even more by the wonderful performances, especially Judd Nelson, who was quite frankly excellent in his role. He plays John Bender, a school bully and outcast with rough home life who is widely believed to fail in life. He is hated by the group, and even more so by their principal running the detention, Mr. Vernon (Paul Gleason). Their exchanges at the beginning are hilarious (“Yeah, I have a question... Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?”) and the chemistry between the actors is great, one that is never beaten or paralleled in the film. Saying that, Judd Nelson’s chemistry in the film is great, with his snide remarks towards Molly Ringwald and his little fights with Emilio Estevez, topped with his subtle insults towards Anthony Michael Hall. He’s an absolute ass to everyone, yet somehow remains the best character in the movie.
Still, can’t give him all the praise; all the characters are played exactly the way they should be. Ringwald is a snotty, selfish little rich girl named Clair, who gets all the boys, and whilst it’s never actually told to us, it seems as though she and Estevez have a thing for each other. Anthony Michael Hall is awkwardly funny as Brian, the nerd in the group. He’s polite, kind and a great screen presence, but it’s still so enjoyable to see him bullied by John. It’s less the fact that he gets bullied, more the exchanges between them (“What do you do in Physics club?” “Well, we... Talk about Physics” “See? It’s social. Sad and demented, but social”). One part that always makes me laugh is when Andrew (Estevez) tries to stick up for Brian (“Hey, he’s got a name... Kid, what’s your name?”) but in actuality it’s all to just start a fight with Bender. Andrew is part of the wrestling team and is pushed by his Dad to do well in his sports, pushed maybe a little too hard, and he hates it.
Now, one thing that is rather impressive is Hughes’ ability to keep the entire film set inside one place. The actual detention is held in the school library, but certain scenes take them to other parts of the school, most notably the scene where they run through the halls, trying to get back to the library before Vernon notices. Writing your characters in a confined space can be difficult; of course, it’s not impossible, what with brilliant films such as 12 Angry Men, Rear Window and Phone Booth all being set in one location and still managing to be tense. I won’t lie, I felt tense at a few scenes in the film. Matter of fact, it’s them being in one location that creates it.
Now, one thing that is rather impressive is Hughes’ ability to keep the entire film set inside one place. The actual detention is held in the school library, but certain scenes take them to other parts of the school, most notably the scene where they run through the halls, trying to get back to the library before Vernon notices. Writing your characters in a confined space can be difficult; of course, it’s not impossible, what with brilliant films such as 12 Angry Men, Rear Window and Phone Booth all being set in one location and still managing to be tense. I won’t lie, I felt tense at a few scenes in the film. Matter of fact, it’s them being in one location that creates it.
But with the Breakfast Club, the best thing the film does to you is how it makes you feel. Some scenes are so well acted and so well written, that I actually just tremble watching it. The scene with Vernon and Bender in the closet is just sheer brilliance; that admittedly was a point I felt tense. It just completely moves away from the general feel of the movie and in one moment creates a huge impact. However, I don’t think there is a scene in the film to beat the part where they all admit why they were in detention. Now, I’m aware that our wonderful Editor has yet to see the film, so for his sake I won’t go into too much detail, but for those who have watched it, surely you must know what I’m talking about. It starts off funny, and goes deadly serious. The music, the acting, everything being said… goose bumps. There, I said it. I got goose bumps. Brian’s story in particular is really impactful and the exchanges between John and Claire are superb. See, it’s hard to describe when keeping it spoiler free, but before long we’re happy again and we’re dancing around like crazy 80s people. Back to the cheese-fest.
The Breakfast Club is NOT a perfect movie; there’s no such thing. But I can say right now that it is a film that I haven’t a single complaint about. That’s why it’s my favourite film of all time. A combination of excellent writing and acting, sprinkled with 80s cheese and topped off with undeniable enjoyment, The Breakfast Club is more than just your average teen film. It’s one that can open your eyes and just leave you feeling good all day long. As I said, the film is not for everyone, but I seriously hope you enjoy it as much I did!
The Breakfast Club is NOT a perfect movie; there’s no such thing. But I can say right now that it is a film that I haven’t a single complaint about. That’s why it’s my favourite film of all time. A combination of excellent writing and acting, sprinkled with 80s cheese and topped off with undeniable enjoyment, The Breakfast Club is more than just your average teen film. It’s one that can open your eyes and just leave you feeling good all day long. As I said, the film is not for everyone, but I seriously hope you enjoy it as much I did!
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