Movie Review: St. Elmo's Fire
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What Parents Should Know
Parents should know that sex and relationships play key
roles in the plot of this film. While the love-making scenes
are respectful and discreet, there are some frank discussions
about sex in the film. Scenes feature strong language,
infidelity, acts of violence, and a suicide attempt. Characters
sometimes drink in excess and behave badly as a result. One
character has a cocaine problem that her friends address.
Families who see this movie could talk about the struggles of adulthood. Parents could offer unique insights about entering "the real world" in their post-school days. What kinds of responsibilities come with entering the workforce? How can the support of friends affect one's ability to develop into an adult?
Common Sense Media Review
ST. ELMO'S FIRE follows the trials and tribulations of seven
recent Georgetown grads struggling to build careers, maintain
relationships, and transition into full-fledged adults. Each
character has his/her issues. Wendy (Mare Winningham) is a
social worker who receives constant pressure from her wealthy
father to marry and join the family business. She nurtures a
crush for Billy (Rob Lowe), who has troubles of his own, in the
form of a wife, a child, and a string of affairs. Billy accepts
help from shrewd Alec (Judd Nelson), a Capitol Hill high
roller, who sells-out to advance his career. Alec has trouble
staying faithful to his girlfriend, down-to-earth Leslie (Ally
Sheedy). Leslie offers comfort to out-of-control Jules (Demi
Moore) and offers guidance to Kevin (Andrew McCarthy), who
secretly harbors a crush on her. Kirby (Emilio Estevez), a
waiter at the gang's hangout, St. Elmo's Fire, actively pursues
a young lovely doctor (Andie MacDowell) who is completely out
of his league. Despite their difficulties and rivalries, they
prove to be good friends, a job that requires skill and
patience, one that cannot be learned in school.
Written and directed by Joel Schumacher ( The Lost Boys, Veronica Guerin) ST. ELMOS FIRE, is a mediocre attempt at recreating the success of earlier "Brat Pack" films such as The Breakfast Club, Class, and Pretty in Pink. Riding on the coattails of The Big Chill, the film is unsuccessful in eliciting audience identification with its stock characters. From untamable bad boy Billy to poor little rich girl Jules, the film's narrow types provide nothing new to this already beaten-to-death genre.
Families that enjoy ST. ELMOS FIRE might like Reality Bites, a 90s update on the post-college drama, that features the difficulties of maintaining friendships and making career decisions, in the "real world."
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
