Video/DVD Review: The Breakfast Club
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this film deals with themes that
may be inappropriate for younger teens. Topics such as suicide,
depression, social alienation, materialism, sex, and parental
physical and emotional abuse are discussed openly. Main
characters use very strong language, smoke pot on screen in the
school library, and mock authority figures. One smokes
cigarettes, draws a switchblade, and makes lewd gestures. He
reveals cigar burns on his body as evidence of his father's
abuse. The film does positively encourage the breakdown of
social barriers as a means of identification and improved
communication.
Families can talk about how relevant and realistic they feel it
is. Do teens feel that their high school has a similar clique
structure? Allison describes Bender's question about Claire's
virginity as a "double-edged sword…a trap," stating,
"Well, if you say you haven't...you're a prude. If you say you
have...you're a slut." Her argument is nothing new, but it does
present a good opportunity for families to talk about society's
views on sex and gender. Do teens still feel this double
standard is in effect?
THE BREAKFAST CLUB is the story of five high school students, who rank high and low in popularity, that are forced to spend nine hours together in Saturday detention. Without the whole school watching, Brian "The Brain" (Anthony Michael Hall), Claire "The Princess" (Molly Ringwald), Andy "The Jock" (Emilio Estevez), Allison "The Basket Case" (Ally Sheedy), and Bender "The Misfit" (Judd Nelson) eventually discard their differences, discussing the events that brought them to detention. Gradually they come to realize that underneath the trappings of the high school social scene, the problems they face are more similar than they think. Brian suffers extreme pressure by his parents to maintain a perfect grade point average. Claire insists that being rich and the most popular girl at school has its downfalls. Andy wants only to please his father, even if it means acting against his own moral code. Allison seeks attention from her father through aberrant behavior. And Bender reacts to physical and verbal abuse at home by defying authority, committing petty theft, and damaging school property.
Despite its occasional heavy-handedness, writer/director John Hughes' film is an earnest, engaging attempt at portraying teens and their problems in a realistic light. The film deals with very mature issues regarding family and school that both teens and parents can relate to. On the outside, the five may seem like clichhd stereotypes, yet as the film progresses, their confessions as to why they're in detention reveal a greater depth to their personas.
Ringwald, Nelson, Hall, Estevez, and Sheedy owe their careers to this film, and for good reason. The "Brat Pack's" solid performances coupled with Hughes' witty dialogue, choice direction, and his ability to balance drama and humor made it one of the most enduring, quotable teen films of all time. A great choice for older teens.
Home AloneUncle Buck
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