Movie Review: Pretty in Pink

The classic 80s John Hughes movie, and I had never seen it before this point in my life. Why? I really cannot answer that question. All I know if that AMC was promoting its showings of Sixteen Candles and the Breakfast Club and I just had that urge to watch this movie.

Molly Ringwald plays the protagonist of this story, Andie, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Duckie, the role Jon Cryer became famous from, is her longtime friend who seems to be desperately in love with her. Of course, people over the years have also said that the character was gay, but that's not for me to decide. And Andrew McCarthy is Blane, the rich boy who falls for Andie. Of course, when that happens, all of his rich friends turn on him and make him rethink his choice in the young, poor woman.

The whole thing is centered around the last few weeks of the characters' senior year with the approach of prom on the horizon. Once Blane asks Andie to the prom, things start to get awkward. Steff, played by James Spader, is Blane's best friend who basically tells him to stop hanging out with Andie or he will have no friends left at all. This gets to his head, and he essentially stops talking to her for a little while. All the while, Andie's relationship is tested with Duckie as he hates everything that rich Blane represents.

The heartbreak between all the characters continues for quite some time of the movie until the prom. Andie decides to go despite the awkwardness and sadness that she feels. And of course, like every great 80s movie, all is resolved.

Bottom line: A quintessential John Hughes classic that lives up to and exceeds its romantic and corny premise.

Grade: B+