Thursday, August 29, 2013

RE-SCREENING THE JOHN HUGHES CLASSICS : SIXTEEN CANDLES


Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la
Happy birthday sweet sixteen
Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la
Happy birthday sweet sixteen




Sixteen Candles is a delightful classic reminding every grown gal the various events that happen in her life as she enters adulthood such as (1) boob changes, (2) over protective family watching over you ever minute (3) sister or brother dating a complete loser  you absolutely despise ,(4) your fascination with the opposite sex, and (5)  your first crush. 



If any of you have any pre-conceived notions that this is a teen sex comedy movie like Porkys or American Pie  then I'm sorry to disappoint you.  It's a carefree wild, fun,  goofy, cheerful movie that does not mock its characters but rather takes us deep into the hearts and minds of high school teenagers. 



The first of  kickoff to the bratpack films stars Molly Ringwald as Samantha  a bright-eyed gal whose movie is told from her own My So Called Life  point of view as she faces pressures  juggling her hectic life at home and at school as she struggles to fit in.  It's more of a coming of age film where not just Molly but the other supporting characters deal with complex  issues related to sex and sexuality but are unsure of how to express themselves.  



Samantha (Molly Ringwald) falls in love with the star Quaterback Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling)   but absolutely stutter steps in how to approach him or what to say.  



She therefore  requires the assistance of The Geek (Anthony Michael Hall)  to make the introduction.  In addition this film features  other complications involving Jake's relationship with his current stuck up girlfriend, Samantha's noisy Grandparents, and the ever loud abnoxious foreign exchange student from the far  East Long Duk Dong(Gedde Watanabe)  whose only motivation is party, party, party and girls, girls, girls.  



Sixteen Candles is quite notable because it set the tone for other 80s to 90s teen romantic comedy with its newest film formula in reshaping the teen romantic comedy which involves : dancing, makeout session, beer,  and wild partying.  However, John Hughes doesn't turn this into another Porkys or any other sexploitaiton film  that came before it he listens to his characters, problems, while generating light hearted solutions for all.   



For example in this film features an encounter with The Geek finding the Prom Queen smashed.  After The Geek rejects The Prom Queen's request to leave they bicker and argue but eventually find out that even though they come from different social circles they are one and the same.  They are both lonely and insecure people that make a better match and in the end they hit it off.  The beautiful message that this film sends  despite its sheer fun, goofiness, and insanity that no matter what labels people or our schoolmates may  place on us opposites can attract. 


FINAL RATING: 5/5








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