140 Character Movie Review – #140RVW
Pretty in Pink (1986)
Ringwald turns in her finest work in her last John Hughes Joint. Wish I saw it in the day; not quite as effective now. Duckie got jobbed…
Spoiler-free Movie Review of Pretty in Pink:
Amazingly I never saw this back in the day, so I can’t feel the same way about it that I do about some of the other John Hughes films. Written but not directed by Hughes (like a number of his films), it’s great stuff, but I kind of think you had to be there. I can’t imagine this playing for anyone who wasn’t a teenager in the 80’s.
The original story is based on archetypes so old that its classic structure feels like a Shakespearean comedy. I actually kept trying to remember which play this was based on; that’s a compliment. Romantic triangle enhanced with rich guy poor girl dynamic.
Casting is typically very good, with Molly Ringwald providing her best performance in her final Hughes film. Jon Cryer is annoyingly cute as Duckie, although I’m sure I would have loved it in 1986 – good job. Can’t imagine Anthony Michael Hall or Robert Downey Jr. in this role (both were considered). Annie Potts is funny but over the top, Andrew McCarthy is a featureless glass of milk, and James Spader made me want to climb through the screen and grab something heavy – but that was the point, I guess. I think it’s terribly appropriate that Spader’s name actually contains the name of a tool…
Ending (Spoilers): The original ending saw Andie choosing Duckie over Blane. (They had to reshoot because test audiences weren’t happy; don’t get me started on test screenings.) I don’t know if that would have been the right choice; I think so. Would have been better than going with “a major appliance”. Really I don’t think she should have ended up with either of them. Blane’s a tool and Duckie is cemented in the friend zone. Maybe she should have taken a chance with Gina Gershon’s character. Ah, who am I kidding – no one is good enough for Molly Ringwald – I love you, Molly!
Trailer:
Bechdel Test:
Pass
| Main Cast | Molly Ringwald Andie Walsh, Jon Cryer Duckie (Phil Dale), Harry Dean Stanton Jack Walsh, Annie Potts Iona |
| Rating | PG-13 |
| Release Date | Fri 28 Feb 1986 UTC |
| Director | Howard Deutch |
| Genres | Comedy, Drama, Romance |
| Plot | A poor girl must choose between the affections of her doting childhood sweetheart and a rich but sensitive playboy. |
| Poster |  |
| Runtime | 96 |
| Tagline | He’s good. She’s good. He’s just Duckie. |
| Writers | John Hughes (written by) |
| Year | 1986 |