Movie Review Monday: The Breakfast Club
Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!
This week's movie is the classic 1985 film, The Breakfast Club, coming to us via Netflix.
I have to admit, I love this movie and have always loved this movie. I haven't sat down to watch in a while but it definitely holds up. The basic premise is that a group of high school students have to spend a Saturday in detention for various reasons. They are all basically your typical stereotypes; jock, nerd, popular kid, the loner, and the misfit. The movie is so simple since all the plot entails is just getting these five people stuck in a room together and letting the rest play itself out. Judd Nelson's misfit John Bender is one who begins to instigate the others to divulge things about themselves. Where at first all of these starkly different stereotypical high school students thought they had nothing in common, by the end of the day, they realize they're more similar than they ever thought.
I love how simple and minimalist this movie is. It completely hinges on the characters and the actor's performances, and they all succeed greatly. Each character is nuanced and has their own moments to shine. Nelson is certainly a highlight of the movie and provides most of the film's quotable moments. Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, and Emilio Estevez all provide great turns here, and Ally Sheedy is very intriguing as the quirky Allison. I wish I could have a whole movie of her!
The Breakfast Club should be required viewing in high schools. It breaks down those foolish misconceptions we have about each other that put up walls and separate us. Every one has their own problems and we all want the same things in life, to be loved, appreciated, and to be able to pursue our own dreams. I feel like this is going on a continuing list of great films I have to show my children when they grow up. Even after almost thirty years, this timeless classic is still relevant today. Plus, it has that great Simple Minds song in the soundtrack! It's just great all around!
I highly recommend The Breakfast Club, which is streaming now on Netflix.