Changes in John Hughes Film The Breakfast Club

Changes

Nothing survives the span of time like coming of age and growing pains. It’s something every teen must endure to enter into the “real world” and claim their place in adult society. It doesn’t matter if one believes themselves to be upper class or lower class, popular or unpopular; every teen experiences the difficulty of growing up, and the struggle to triumph over high school. Though many try to rush this process some are in no hurry to join the ranks of adulthood and walk down the inevitable path that leads to becoming one’s parents. Because at one time or another most have exclaimed, “I will never be like my parents”. This is the underlying theme that binds together the characters in John Hughes’s film “The Breakfast Club”.

Hughes is the writer and director of “The Breakfast Club” which was released in February 1985. Although this movie is almost 29 years old, it is still just as applicable to today’s society as it was then. Hughes is also known for other films of the same era which include, “Sixteen Candles”, “Pretty in Pink”, and “Ferris Buehler’s Day Off”. These films also feature the issues of teens, but their main focus is to be an entertaining story. They do not compare to the impact “The Breakfast Club” had, even though many of the same actors starred in these other films as well. Some may find it hard to believe that Ringwald and Hall were still in high school when they filmed this movie, while the other three “teen” actors were in their 20’s.

The movie has five main characters that play five different, but common teenage personalities. “A brain” Brian Ralph Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall), “an athlete” Andy Clark (Emilio Estevez), “a basket case” Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy), “a princess” Clair...

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...he intended punishment. Although they are changed mentally because of their experience, they are all wondering what will come of their newfound friendship Monday morning when they get back to school. Will strangers stay strangers or has the day created new friendships that will be acknowledged in the presence of their peers?

This film was seen as such a powerful force and accurate display of teen issues that many parents, teachers, and even religious leaders advocated it. Although a source of debate due to its controversial content, the “R” rating it received was forgiven by many. “The Breakfast Club” will definitely leave an impression, whether watched by teens or adults, and is likely a film that one will watch many times. Because of the authenticity Hughes brought to this film, the overall theme was, and still is, one that can’t easily be ignored or forgotten