The classic teen film depicting stereotypes in high schools.

Rating: Null/10 (5 October 2001)

The 1984 film, The Breakfast Club is still admired among teenagers today. It's almost a shock, at least it was for my fellow classmates, to learn that I had not seen the movie until recently for a school project. After viewing the film, I asked myself why so many people watch this movie time and time again. I realized, that besides the obvious over exaggeration of the characters, the movie did hit several key aspects of teens' lives and issues dealing with adolescence. Many still watch it because it portrays characters that modern day teenagers can related to. The basic plot of the film deals with five high school students who are sentenced to all day detention one Saturday. Each one of them carries a specific role, or stereotype in their high school. There is the jock, the prom queen, the brain, the criminal, and the basket case. None of them know each other, because their school standards did not permit them to socialize among different groups. The group `began the day as strangers and soon [found] themselves united by a common affliction: youth.' Throughout the day, they began to bond over certain events that happened. It does not take long before they all realize that they have quite a bit in common: their problems. After they break through their strictly drawn stereotypes, they all come to find that they share one thing, even despite their obviously different personalities. They have all been labeled, and through over demanding parents (or a complete lack of parent guidance), the teens have been forced to live up the their labels. So much that, for the most part, others only see the person as that particular stereotype.
Personally, I enjoyed the film. That is, after I got past the grossly exaggerated roles played by the characters. Certain scenes, such as the students smoking pot in the library, or the teacher threatening to beat up the `criminal,' would never been seen in any high school institution. However, they did provide entertainment and kept the movie plot going. This also kept people interested. Overall, I think the director, John Hughes, did an excellent job getting his message across with the film. The key aspect that the film portrayed were the dangers of labeling our youth. So many people are faced with stereotypes which can cause problems for the already troubled youth. They become more concerned with how others view them, and try to live up to their standards. In many high schools, it has become more important to develop how others see you, than who you actually are. Teenagers will spend their entire high school tenure trying to exceed what others what them to be. They are constantly struggling to live up to their friends' expectations, instead of their own. During adolescence, teenagers naturally find themselves dealing with stress and frustration. The high standards set by the high schools only add to that stress and can make the students act out in different ways. The most common form is rebellion. That is what brought all five of the `breakfast clubbers' together. I believe that Hughes' message is still relevant in high schools today. There are still the social standards that students must live up to and try to compete with everyday. Perhaps by watching this 1980's classic, some may realize the dangers of these actions and come together, breaking through their strict stereotypes.