Sometimes unrealistic, but overall a satisfying teen flick

Rating: 8/10 (11 September 2018)

I was a high school teen when I saw Breakfast Club. I was part of the "burn-out" crowd, so I was curious to see Judd Nelson AKA the criminal. In all honesty, he looked more like a wealthy freak from a Beverly Hills high school. His demeanor seemed genuine at times but he was largely too "Hollywood" to resonate with me. Adding to the disbelief was him scoring Claire after taunting and berating her throughout the film. Another character I found unconvincing was Brian Johnson the geek; he becomes mr. cool after smoking a joint for the first time? The movie was essentially about five young actors turning on their charm while they read their lines and improvised. But, that was not a bad thing after all. There was group chemistry and their unlikely friendship influenced teenagers for generations to come.
The movie was well acted and I can definitely see the teen appeal; the actors embodied this all-American persona that drew kids in. It put a spotlight on high school teens and their struggle with peer pressure and identity issues. The movie became a mainstream phenomenon, and every American kid wanted to act out their "celebrity status" afterward. The last time something like this happened was during the 1950s with Rebel Without a Cause and The Blob. It was time that people took notice of high school teens again. They are after all, our kids as well.
In real life, however, this breakfast club would never materialize - Judd Nelson would sit far away from everyone else; Ally Sheedy would be quiet throughout; Emilio Estevez would only talk to Molly Ringwald; and Anthony Michael Hall would be too shy to talk to anyone. There is a possibility of social interaction, but it's unlikely they would bare their soul and share their personal lives with one another.
But alas, that is the appeal of the movie - and why this movie has an enduring charm. Despite the fact that the Breakfast Club consisted of kids coming from different backgrounds, they were able to form a common bond, and found themselves through each other. It has a timeless message of tolerance and humanity, as told by The Breakfast Club.