Review of The Breakfast Club (1985) by Wayne K — 08 Jul 2015

Regarded as not only one of the best High School films ever made, but also one of the defining pictures of the 80s, The Breakfast Club is one of the funniest, smartest, most charming and emotionally affecting movies I've seen in a while.

Featuring a set of teenage stereotypes, you could be forgiven for thinking this is simply going to be another run-of-the-mill, angst-ridden adolescent flicks. But what we get is 5 fleshed-out, realistic and completely loveable individuals who not only discover that their cliques are not what define them, but also what makes them choose to belong to such social groups, as well the stigmas associated with each one.

The film is essentially a meditation on High School life, with thoughts on paternal expectations, trust, acceptance, the importance of honesty and, above all, friendship. Perfect casting, wonderful acting and a witty, insightful, touching screenplay make this film an absolute joy to sit through, and it's a testament to the talent involved that arguably its most emotional scene was ad-libbed.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this is one of my new favourite movies. I felt for the characters and identified with their emotions, and when it was over I wanted nothing more than to spend more time with them.

And that may be one of the biggest compliments you can give a motion picture.