STUFF YOU GOTTA WATCH - The Breakfast Club

THE BREAKFAST CLUB

(1985)
With Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, Paul Gleason
Directed by John Hughes
Reviewed by JB

The core of the brat pack The ultimate "Brat Pack" movie. Only a year after the delightful SIXTEEN CANDLES, the Brat Pack was now taking themselves so seriously in this film about five high school students thrown together for a day of Saturday detention. But serious works because - surprise - these were really fine young actors and actresses. Estevez is the bad boy, Nelson is the jock, Ringwald the popular queen, Hall the supersmart nerd and Sheedy the quirky weirdo, but they all bring something to the table that allows them to rise above their stereotypes. Excellent performances all around (including Paul Gleason, hilarious as the principal), quotable dialogue, snappy direction by Hughes and a catchy 1980s soundtrack make THE BREAKFAST CLUB a worthy followup to SIXTEEN CANDLES. The only sad note is how little impact the Brat Pack has had in its post-teen days. Some of the members are still working steadily steadily - Anthony Michael Hall finally shed his nerd image with the cable show The Dead Zone - but can any single one of them be called a star? ½ - JB

ADD ANOTHER QUOTE AND MAKE IT A GALLON

"Well, Brian, this is a very nutricious lunch. All the food groups are represented. Did your mom marry Mr. Rogers?"
"No. Mr. Johnson."