I personally LOVE to romanticize things. The weather? Of course. People? Oh most definitely. The 80s? You bet your brain I do. I am a complete sucker for an 80s flick. They usually have the three things I love most in cinema, cheesiness, stylish outfits, and a half decent plot. Some of my favourite movies are 80s classics like Pretty in Pink, Back to the Future, and Can't Buy Me Love. Most of these I watched with my mom for the first time as these were movies she watched growing up. For years she went on and on about Sixteen Candles and how it was so good. Well we eventually watched it together and slowly realized how awful the film actually is. It's bad on MULTIPLE LEVELS.
Firstly it’s super racist. The comic relief character of the film is ”Long Duk Dong” an Asian boy the family has as an exchange student (I think). The jokes made are incredibly racist and he’s seen as an "insane foreigner" and a huge brunt of physical comedy. He also has a really thick accent so the audience can't understand a word he says, (a directorial choice). His whole character was extremely racist and made the movie a million times worse.
The plot makes no sense.
I pretty much had no idea what was going on 90% of the movie. A wedding was supposed to happen, Molly Ringwald was mad, racist joke, etc, etc. I think they were trying to get away with one of those plots that doesn't really have a plot and tries to be slice of life-esque thing but who knows. Genuinely, who knows, this movie was very confusing.
It condones rape culture.
If I hear anyone go on about how Jake Ryan is a "dreamboat" I will throw up, then politely correct them. He is an absolute scumbag. The most I remember from this movie is how AWFUL Jake Ryan is. He has a girlfriend and when she is so drunk she is nearly unconscious Jake tells the "geek" character that he can "have his way with her" and "she won't know the difference". So they have sex, (It isn't shown), and then we're supposed to forgive this blatant sexual assault because she "liked it"?! NO.
To conclude, this movie sucks. It is not worth your time, and it's not worth being called a classic, cult or not. If you're looking for an actually decent 80's flick with Molly Ringwald go watch Pretty in Pink.
Thanks for reading,
KIDD
P.S. If anyone would like to join my "Jake Ryan is a piece of garbage" club, don't hesitate to ask.
Comments