A strangely and uniquely intriguing film from John Hughes

Rating: 8/10 (19 February 2010)

This is one of several teen movies the late John Hughes wrote and directed in the 1980's. It was released the year before I was born, and I think the first time I saw it was in 2007, after I had first seen "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", another one of Hughes's 80's teen films, but definitely a different idea. From what I remember, I thought "The Breakfast Club" was pretty good the first time, but maybe a little puzzling. I watched the 1996 version of "101 Dalmatians" this week, with a screenplay written by Hughes, and thought it was very dull. This was the first movie I watched after that one, and I thought it was so much better than that particular 90's film, though it's totally different. In fact, this 1985 drama (with some comedy) isn't like any other film I've ever seen!
Five high school students in Shermer, Illinois (a fictional suburb of Chicago) are forced to come to school one Saturday morning in 1984 for detention. Each of these students appears to be of a different high school stereotype. There's Andrew Clark, a "jock"; Claire Standish, a "princess"; Brian Johnson, a "nerd"; Allison Reynolds, a "basket case"; and John Bender, a "criminal". Their principal, Mr. Richard Vernon, assigns each of them to write an essay during their stay in the school library that day about who they think they are. At first, the five of them don't seem to have anything in common, and are in for a lot of conflict, especially with John Bender's behaviour, giving the others a hard time. With Bender's big mouth and rebellious ways, he gets into even more trouble with the aggravated Mr. Vernon during his Saturday detention. However, as the hours of the day go by, the five students gradually get to know each other, and it turns out there's more to them than their stereotypes after all.
It's probably not too often you see a movie that doesn't go any farther from one location to another than this one. "The Breakfast Club" is almost entirely set in one building, and all the scenes that don't take place in this building take place just outside it. One might assume that this must be very boring, but it's not. During my second viewing, I wasn't sure exactly what was keeping me intrigued around the beginning, but the main element of the film is probably the dialogue. The conversations, no matter how long they may get, are constantly gripping! It's really interesting seeing the students fighting (verbally and sometimes physically) but gradually learning more about each other, including their lives at home. The conflict between John Bender and Mr. Vernon is also unforgettable, and the acting and script were very well done, which obviously also helps carry the film. Hughes put some interesting characters into his story, with a strong cast to play them. The movie has a good theme song, "Don't You (Forget About Me)", an 80's New Wave hit by Simple Minds.
As I write this, I haven't seen every teen movie John Hughes made in the 80's, but have seen "The Breakfast Club" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". The protagonists in both films are obviously high school students, but the films are different from one another. "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is an upbeat comedy, whereas this movie does have some mildly amusing humour but is more of a drama. It's also significantly darker than its successor. However, they are both good in their own way, and both deserve their good reputation. This 1985 Hughes film may have some plot holes, and even after two viewings, I'm still not sure if I totally get it, but it's still a movie to hold the viewer's attention, and it seems many have been able to relate to it. Hughes was involved in some lacklustre efforts during his career, and "101 Dalmatians" is one of them, but this one is not. For the good films he made, "The Breakfast Club" being an example, I'm sure he will be remembered.