weberwhit

Pretty in Pink is the last and worst of John Hughes three most popular 80's teen flicks (Sixteen Candles is, in my opinion, the best). "Worst" is a relative term, however, because this is still a good movie. While the story is rather standard, the actors do such a good job of inhabiting their characters that it more than makes up for the many clichés. Andie is the poor alternative girl whose difficult upbringing has rendered her wise beyond her years. Blane is the preppy rich boy who, unlike his snooty, mean-spirited friends, is actually a decent person. The pair are attracted to one another and, after Blane eventually works up the courage to ask Andie out, embark on an often tortuous, though emotionally honest (especially on Andie's part),courtship. They struggle with disapproval of their friends (James Spader as Blane's best bud Steff is especially odious and Jon Cryer as Andie's guy pal Duckie is unforgettable) and their own lingering doubts. The rest of the movie deals with how the two face these struggles, culminating in an ending that is, frankly, a bit cheesy and predictable. Pretty in Pink is commendable for the simple fact that it deals so honestly with an issue that most Americans would rather avoid, class. Perhaps this is why it feels a bit darker than Hughes's other 2 big 80's films (although The Breakfast Club also deals somewhat with class, its focus is more on cliques and identity issues). Stories about how American teens navigated this treacherous class terrain in the "greed decade," are few and far between. PIP should, therefore, hold a unique place in the "teen movie" canon. A good, but not great, film. I must comment on the soundtrack as well - in a word it is terrific. Echo and the Bunnymen, New Order, The Psychedelic Furs, and that Nik Kershaw one-hit wonder song "Wouldn't it Be Good" that reminds me so much of the 80's.

It is hard to be too critical of Top Gun because the main purpose of the movie is to provide two hours of mindless entertainment, and it succeeds in that effort. This isn't a simplistic movie masquerading as an insightful one. It is pretty obvious what the aim of all of those involved in this movie was - to put rear ends in the seats. That being said, I thought there were some nice touches in Top Gun. First, Tom Cruise, whose acting I have always considered good but not great, is perfect as Maverick. He did cocksure well back then. Second, the Kelly McGillis character, Charlie, is a tough, ambitious woman, and has a natural beauty that is missing from today's pop-tart leading ladies. Back then, directors actually cast leading ladies who looked like women we all know and could, gasp, act! Third, it is a perfect time capsule of the mid 80's, the good, the bad , and the ugly. Whatever you think of that decade (I thought the pop culture back then was more fun and a lot less mean than it is today) this film captures the rah-rah patriotism and the growing self-assuredness of America in the Reagan era perfectly. All in all, a good movie that captures a specific era very well and succeeds in doing exactly what is was intended to do - entertain.