Review of Pretty in Pink (1986) by Chris W — 17 May 2011

So I've finally gotten around to watching another entry in the Brat Pack Canon. I had kind of been no looking forward to this one as much of the others becuase I had gotte nthe vibe that this one wasn't as good because Hughes didn't direct it.

And while yes, Howard Deutch is no John Hughes, the film isn't that bad, and he does a good job. At least Hughes stuck around to write the thing, that certainly helps. The basic story behind this one is ancient: poor girl meets rich boy, they try to have a relationship, and their respective social classes give them grief for it.

However, I liked the way it was all handled. I didn't realize that this film would be a bit more dramatic and serious. I mean, The Breakfast Club has some very deep and serious moments, but it's also got a good amount of levity. This does too, but there's still a pervasive sense of seriousness. The thing I liked about this and the other brat pack movies (the ones with Hughes's involvement) is how well that they capture youth and growing up. Hughes really got it and his films, despite some lapses into fantasy andescapism now and then, still hold up really well because of their insights and portrayals of how painful life can be at a certain age.

Molly is great, as always, and I really liked the oversized glasses she sports in a few scenes. That's actually one bit of fashion that I didn't find revolting unless treated like kitsch. Jon Cryer is also really good, but he's also given a rather thankless part to play. McCarthy is okay, but not great, and Spader, while good, looks a bit too old to be in high school, so his presence adds some creepiness that is a bit to uncomfortable at times. Stanton is decent if slightly underused, and Annie Potts, for me, was a real treat to watch. The quick appearances by Gina Gershon, Andrew Dice Clay, Kristy Swanson, and Dweezil Zappa all made me really happy.

Given my initial hesitation with wanting to see this one, I'm happy to say that it all came out better than I had expected. It's not as strong as the other films, but this doesn't mean it's the end of the world, either. Give it a watch. You might end up feeling the same way.