Review of Pretty in Pink (1986) by Nicki M — 06 Mar 2011

I have put off watching this one for about two years now, because I knew I would be compelled to review it, and honestly I didn't know how I could possibly write a review that would do my all time favourite movie justice. This is a movie I have loved since I was 12 years old and could not even tell you how many times I have watched it over the years. Put it like this, I have watched it so many times, I know what they are going to say word for word before it is said.

Put simply, this is the ultimate 80's teen movie. If it ever gets remade, I will projectile vomit. There is just no way they could ever find actors who are as perfect for the roles as they have here.

The story is pretty simple - it follows Andie (Molly Ringwald) who is from the wrong side of the tracks and lives with her unemployed father, her mother having left them when she was 14. There is a part of me who still wants to be Andie and can identify with her. To this day she still looks great in her op shop fashions.

Andie has a best friend, Duckie (Jon Cryer) who is really cute and quirky and totally in love with her, but though she loves him as a friend, it is rich Blane (Andrew McCarthy) that she pines for. When it seems that Blane returns her affections, the problems really start. Duckie is devastated and Blane's rich friends won't accept her.

There is not a whole lot more to the story, but it really works well. The characters are so relatable, the supporting cast is just excellent. Annie Potts as Andie's boss at the record store she works at part time after school, James Spader as Steff (love to hate him), the bitchy girls and Andie's best friend Jena (Alexa Kenin). Also the cameo at the end by a very young Kristy Swanson (how much did I love that implied ending for Duckie!).

I love the clothes, the soundtrack is perfect. The only thing that has changed for me over the years is that I used to really wish that Duckie would get the girl, but over time I have gotten to like Blane and can see why they wrote the ending the way they did. The end scene is very romantic, even to a cynic like me!