Pretty In Pink

If you are looking for a straight forward high school comedy/ drama, most John Hughes movies would be perfect, and Pretty in Pink (1986) is no exception. Starring Molly Ringwald, an original brat pack member, we see the love story between rich and poor unfold. I don't even have to explain anything else and you can probably guess what happens and a few of the jokes along the way. But despite the predictable plot lines I still love watching the common themes in John Hughes movies.

One of the most memorable scenes in Pretty in Pink is towards the end. Andie (poor girl played by Molly Ringwald), has been asked to the prom by Blane (rich and popular douche bag played by Andrew McCarthy) but right before the dance he ditches her because his friends have a problem with her lack of money and style. To get back at Blane, Andie decides to show up to the dance anyway in her own creation of a prom dress. Right after walking in the door she almost loses her courage, but just then, her old and adorable friend Duckie steps in to rescue her. We see a lot of slow camera movement and a few close-ups in this scene. It helps you feel close to the character of Andie so that you are almost cheering for her when she sees Duckie. The music in this scene also helps out a bit by aiding in the mood of the situation and comes to a climax just as the "happy-ever-after" comes up to match it.

Apparently, our high school years are either our best or our worst. I predict that John Hughes either had a wonderful high school life and wants to relive it, or he had a terrible high school life and wants to try to imagine what it could have been. Either way, he sticks to what he's good at, and he's good at high school comedy/drama's.