Stars:
Molly Ringwald, Harry Dean Stanton, Jon Cryer, Annie Potts, James Spader, and
Andrew McCarthy
Writer:
John Hughes
Director:
Howard Deutch
Feature
length: 96 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Dolby Surround Sound, and French
Language Monaural Sound
Subtitles:
English Captions and Closed Captions
Packaging:
Amaray Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 15
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Dolby Surround Sound, and Monaural Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1986/DVD Release: 2002
Theatrical
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Paramount Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: PG-13
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
Films
had exploited the high school teenagers, but never really connected with the
heart of teenagers until out of the void in 1983 came former National Lampoon
Writer John Hughes who released the first of what would be six teenage themed
films in four years. Hughes had established himself as the master of the teenage
movie whether it be the teenage boy fantasy come to life in “Weird Science”
or a stage play like examination of Regan era teenage angst in “The Breakfast
Club” or the mix of romantic uncertainty and zany comedy in “Sixteen
Candles,” Hughes presented an idealistic world of the American teenager with
simple, but somewhat bittersweet or sentimental qualities and an uncanny
understanding of their pop culture that made his films stand out for many high
school aged films of that time. With the exception of Cameron Crowe’s “Say
Anything,” I would have to say that there were never any films that had the
mix of comedy, drama, and pop culture references that captured in a time capsule
the heart of a a generation of teenagers who grew up in the 1980s quite like
John Hughes did.
While
directing “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Hughes turned over directing duties
for “Pretty In Pink” to Howard Deutch who got work with 80s teen sensation
Molly Ringwald in the predictable, but charming story of a girl from the poor
side of the tracks (Literally!) and a wealthy young senior (Andrew McCarthy) who
encounter all sorts of emotional backlash from their respective peers when they
date. The film is notable for the music soundtrack that includes the title song
by the “Psychedelic Furs,” “ New Order,” “The Smiths,” and the hit
song “If You Leave” by “OMD.” Supporting roles include Harry Dean
Stanton, Annie Potts, James Spader, and Jon Cryer in what I think was his most
memorable character role from that decade. If you look closely you’ll spot
Gina Gershon in an early role too. The film also features Andrew “Dice” Clay
as the doorman to a club where Ringwald’s character hangs out.
There
are a few elements in the film that never quite make sense like how a girl can
get away with smoking a joint in front of teachers and students alike who never
even smell the smoke, Spader’s constant hung over rumblings around the
hallways aimlessly as if he has some cart blanch that designates that he never
has to attend class and can just hangout and smoke cigarettes undetected by
teachers. Kids got away with a lot when I attended high school, but there is no
way anyone could just lounge around all day, smoke cigarettes, and not be
stopped sooner or later by somebody. What strikes me as the most confusing
element in the film is if Ringwald’s character is attending this high school
because she got a special scholarship, then how could her friend Ducky (Cryer),
who is established as being from around the same part of town as her and
consistently flunking out of his courses, be attending the same school? What is
so special about their high school anyway?
Alas
the answer might just be “who cares?” because I remember when I saw this and
other Hughes high school flicks when I was in high school I never even thought
about the absurdities and just bought into the fantasy since I doubt anyone’s
high school was ever truly like the ones depicted in his films. Paramount Home
Entertainment’s DVD features a very nice (1.85:1) anamorphic widescreen
transfer complete with a new English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack
coupled with the original English Dolby Stereo Surround Soundtrack, and a French
Language Monaural Soundtrack coupled with English Captions and Closed Captions
for the hearing impaired as options. The soundtrack gets a 5.1 Surround Sound
remix with the vocals coming from the center channel that might take a little
time to adjust to for those who are used to the original stereo soundtrack.
Unfortunately there are no extra features on this DVD at all. Not even a
trailer, which is a shame since I remember the trailers for these films when I
was in high school and they were quite fun.
Paramount
Home Entertainment is releasing “Pretty In Pink” day and date with its
mirror image remake or sorts “Some Kind Of Wonderful” sold separately on DVD-Video
on Tuesday, August 20, 2002.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.