Fresh Horses
Fresh Horses
Fresh Horses is the story of Matt Larkin, a college student that falls for a younger, married and less educated girl. He wants to get out of his engagement and she wants to get away from an abusive husband.
I didn’t really understand large parts of the film and the only thing that kept my mind from wandering was the performance of Molly Ringwald. She seems to somehow look especially beautiful and captivating here even though you want to give her character a good shake. Andrew McCarthy’s character as well as his performance in Fresh Horses aren’t up to much.
This is probably the only Brat Pack movie that left me feeling a bit confused and with the feeling that it was all a bit pointless. There is something I like about it but I can’t quite work out what, maybe it’s Ben Stiller looking like very young and very gay.
If you fancy a Ringwald and McCarthy fest, stick to Pretty In Pink.
Brat Pack Rating
Fresh Horses is by no means my favourite Brat Pack flick and deserves no more than a 5 out of 10.
Characters
Jewel – Played by Molly Ringwald
Matt Larkin – Played by Andrew McCarthy
Starring
Andrew McCarthy and Molly Ringwald.
Trivia
Look out for a young Ben Stiller as well as Viggo Mortensen.
One of the few PG-13 rated movies that allowed the use of the word “fuck” more than one time and still maintain its rating. Neither use was in a sexual connotation.
Fresh Horses Links
Buy Fresh Horses
Fresh Horses @ Rotten Tomatoes
Blue City
Blue City
Ally Sheedy’s character isn’t exactly very complex. She plays the love interest and does so as well as can be expected. It is a slightly different role for Sheedy in that she’s edgier than in previous roles and more of a bad girl.
Blue City was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by Ross MacDonald. When I say based I mean it in the loosest possible sense. I think that is part of the reason the film was so poorly received. Fans of the novel were expecting something more than just a watered down Beverly Hills Cop. The movie was probably aimed at more of a teen audience and an awful lot of the storyline was changed as a result.
Blue City was very poorly received by critics upon release, and was nominated for a host of awards at the 7th Golden Raspberry Awards.
This movie was never going to win any awards, positive ones anyway, but I still enjoyed it for the most part. I think as long as you aren’t a fan of the book and you are a fan of the Brat Pack, you’ll enjoy Blue City.
Brat Pack Rating
I’d give Blue City a solid if unspectacular Brat Pack rating of 6 out of 10.
Characters
Billy Turner – Played by Judd Nelson
Annie Rayford – Played by Ally Sheedy
Joey Rayford – Played by CSI’s David Caruso
Starring
Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy.
Trivia
Look out for a young David Caruso.
Blue City Links
Betsy’s Wedding
Betsys Wedding
Betsy’s Wedding was written and directed by Alan Alda, he also played one of the starring roles. While this movie is by no means an all time classic, it does have a large number of fans as the amount of five star reviews on Amazon show.
The movie follows Betsy, daughter of Alda’s character Eddie, during the build up to her wedding and all the trials and tribulations that go along with it. Molly Ringwald plays the role of Betsy alongside fellow Brat Pack member Ally Sheedy as her sister Connie.
The most interesting part of Betsy’s Wedding is probably the relationship between LaPaglia and Sheedy’s characters, Stevie and Connie. Stevie is a second generation gangster who falls for Connie who is a cop.
There cast is packed with notable stars other than the Brat Packers including Joe Pesci, Anthony LaPaglia, Nip Tuck’s Dylan Walsh and even a cameo appearance from Samuel L. Jackson.
Personally, I think this is one of the weaker films from the Brat Pack genre. The characters have potential but the script never really gets out of first gear. It’s worth a watch if you’ve never seen it but it’s no Breakfast Club, in fact, it’s not even an Oxford Blues!
Characters
Eddie Hopper – Played by Alan Alda, the father of the bride.
Betsy Hopper – Molly Ringwald’s character, the bride!
Connie Hopper – Ally Sheedy’s role, she plays Betsy’s sister as well as being a cop who gets involved with gangster Stevie.
Stevie Dee – Played by Anthony LaPaglia. Stevie is a gangster who falls for Connie.
Starring
Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy.
Trivia
Betsy’s Wedding was inspired by Alan Alda’s daughter’s wedding.
Betsy’s Wedding Links
Buy Betsy’s Wedding
Betsy’s Wedding @ Rotten Tomatoes
Oxford Blues
Oxford Blues
Nick spends the night with a wealthy older woman while working at the casino and she gives him enough money to get to Oxford. When he arrives he meets another American in Rona, played by Ally Sheedy.
It isn’t long before Nick finds Lady Victoria but she is already involved with the star of the rowing team, Colin Gilchrist Fisher. Nick and Colin soon build up a fierce rivalry that only gets stronger until the climax of the film.
Oxford Blues was never going to win any Oscars but it’s a fun movie and would hold special interest for anyone that’s attended Oxford University or likes rowing!
Characters
Nick Di Angelo – The lead character played by Rob Lowe. Nick is trying to get into Oxford University to chase the woman of his dreams Lady Victoria Wingate.
Rona – Another American at Oxford, Ally Sheedy character becomes friends with Nick but she wants more.
Lady Victoria Wingate – The object of Nick’s affection, she does her best to resist his advances.
Colin Gilchrist Fisher – Played by Julian Sands who you may recognise if you are a 24 fan. Colin is the star of the rowing team and takes an instant dislike to Nick.
Geordie Nevitts – Nick’s trusty room mate and friend.
Starring
Rob Lowe and Ally Sheedy
Trivia
Lady Victoria’s character was loosely based on Princess Stephanie of Monaco.
Star Cary Elwes’ brother, Cassian Elwes, served as Producer on this film.
Oxford Blues Links
Buy Oxford Blues
About Last Night
About Last Night
It features Danny (Rob Lowe) and Bernie (James Belushi) as two single men living in Chicago. Danny meets Debbie (Demi Moore) at a bar and after a one night stand the pair start a relationship. The film follows the ups and downs of the couple trying to make things work and the effect the relationship has on their friends.
Whilst it may not be the most amazing movie of all time, About Last Night is a good character piece. It shows the difficulties young people face when settling down and is a bit deeper than some of the other Brat Pack pictures.
Characters
About Last Night Promo
Debbie Sullivan – Is willing to settle down with Danny but is struggles to make it work.
Bernie – Danny’s buddy who isn’t as stupid as he seems.
Joan – Debbie’s pal with the hard front who wants to protect her friend.
Starring
Rob Lowe and Demi Moore.
Trivia
A section of the movie that wasn’t used turned up on an episode of Friends.
Debbie’s friend Pat is played by Will and Grace star Megan Mullally.
About Last Night Links
About Last Night @ Rotten Tomatoes
Class
Skip and Jonathan
One of the very first Brat Pack movies and not just your run of the mill high school fare. Class is an often over looked film that deserves more attention for its well written script and good character development.
Rob Lowe plays wealthy student Skip and McCarthy is his shy room mate Jonathan. Skip thinks Jonathan could do with some help where the ladies are concerned so sends him to a sleazy bar in the city. Little does Skip know, the woman Jonathan gets to grips with is Skip’s Mom!
The pair have a brief fling but once Ellen (Skip’s Mom) finds out how old Jonathan really is, she end the relationship.
Everything would have been fine, had it not been for Skip inviting Jonathan to his place for Christmas.
Characters
Skip – A well to do, popular and confident student at the Vernon Academy.
Jonathan – Skip’s shy room mate who falls for Skip’s Mom.
Ellen – The good looking older woman who also happens to be Skip’s Mom!
Starring; Rob Lowe and Andrew McCarthy.
Trivia
Ellen and Jonathan
Rob Lowe apparently threatened to quit the movie if he wasn’t allowed to appear naked in a certain scene.
Alan Ruck has a very small role, blink and you’ll miss him.
Class Links
Buy Class
Weird Science
Yet another John Hughes classic, Weird Science made every teenage boy’s fantasy a reality, create your own real life dream girl from the comfort of your own bedroom!
Wyatt and Gary are two awkward American high school teenagers who are struggling with girls and the popular crowd. On top of this they have Wyatt’s bully of a brother Chet making their lives a misery.
While watching Frankenstein one night, they come up with the idea to create their own perfect woman! Using their computer, magazine cut outs, some jump leads and a Barbie doll, Wyatt and Gary get to work. Thanks to some strange weather conditions and a power surge, up pops the stunning Lisa!
Gary and Wyatt
With Lisa’s help, the boys turn from a couple of geeks into popular Ferrari driving teens who can suddenly pick up girls with relative ease.
The usual John Hughes party ensues with a few twists and turns before the climax involving their families and some strange men on bikes!
Trivia
The actor who played Wyatt somewhat turned his backing on Hollywood and is now a high level graduate assistant in the English department of a Texas University.
One of the kids from the mall scene in Weird Science, Cliff, was also one of Anthony Michael Hall’s sidekicks in Sixteen Candles.
Starring
Anthony Michael Hall
Weird Science Links
Buy Weird Science
Weird Science @ Rotten Tomatoes
Sixteen Candles
Sam and Jake
Written and Directed by John Hughes, Sixteen Candles is considered to be the first Brat Pack movie.
Molly Ringwald plays Sam Baker a teen girl on her sixteen birthday (hence the sixteen candles!) who is in a bad place. Her family have forgotten her birthday because her sister Ginny is getting married the following day. Sam also has to deal with her huge crush on school hunk Jake Ryan.
A school dance follows as well as a house party before an apology from her father for forgetting her big day. Along the way we meet Farmer Ted and the hilarious Long Duk Dong.
This builds up to the climax of Ginny’s wedding and a surprise visit for Sam.
Characters
Samantha Baker – The girl whose 16th birthday isn’t going to plan. Will anything go right for our heroine?!
Jake Ryan – The hot guy of the film and the object of Sam’s affection, does he feel the same?
Farmer Ted/The Geek – The Geek is just that and is obsessed with getting San into bed to win a bet.
Starring; Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall.
Trivia
Molly and Anthony
Molly Ringwald also starred with Anthony Michael Hall in The Breakfast Club. The pair dated for a brief time.
Anthony Michael Hall is listed as ‘The Geek’ in the credits but his actual name is never revealed during the movie, although he calls himself Farmer Ted.
John Hughes has a small cameo in one of the church scenes where Sam goes to get her sister’s veil but blink and you’ll miss him!
Sixteen Candles Links
Buy Sixteen Candles
Sixteen Candles @ Rotten Tomatoes
Pretty In Pink
Another 80’s classic written by John Hughes and starring Molly Ringwald, Pretty In Pink was the definitive teenage love story of the 80’s.
Molly Ringwald plays Andie, a modern girl from a poor family who falls for Andrew McCarthy’s character Blane. Blane is from a different world to Andie due to his wealthy upbringing. Their friends struggle to accept their relationship because they are all from different social circles. Blane’s best friend Steff does all he can to scupper their bond.
Andie’s mother left her and her father years ago and Andie has since struggled to make her dad get a job. Her two best friends Duckie and Iona help her deal with all the dramas. What Andie doesn’t realise is that Duckie is madly in love with her.
Pretty In Pink is not as good as Hughes’ other movies of the same era such as The Breakfast Club and Some Kind Of Wonderful but it still goes down as a classic.
Characters
Andie – Fashion conscious, new wave girl struggling with money and relationships.
Duckie – Andie’s ever faithful friend who is also madly in love with her.
Blane – A rich guy but also a good guy, has his sights set on Andie.
Steff – Balne’s best friend who is rotten to the core! Doesn’t want Blane getting involved with the poor crowd.
Starring; Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy.
Trivia
Blane, Andie and Duckie
Duckie and Andie originally ended up together but Hughes was put under pressure to change the ending by the studio. Ringwald also felt the ending with Duckie wasn’t right and said she felt he was more like a brother but did have chemistry with McCartney’s character Blane.
Michael J Fox was originally offered the part of Duckie.
Andrew McCarthy had to wear a wig when the ending of the film was re-shot because he had shaved his head for another role.
Pretty In Pink Links
Buy Pretty In Pink
Pretty In Pink @ Rotten Tomatoes
The Breakfast Club
A huge hit when it was first released and still iconic today, The Breakfast Club is one movie that has really stood the test of time.
Written and directed by John Hughes, The Breakfast Club is about a group of teenagers in detention that are all very different from one another. By the end of the day, they realise they aren’t so different after all.
The students start off by being very cagey with each other but as the day goes on they find ways to connect and are drawn together by a mutual hatred of their Teacher and minder for the day, Mr Vernon.
The focal point of the movie is the letter the Group are forced to write by Mr Vernon detailing “who you think you are”. Brian writes the letter on behalf of them all and basically says Mr Vernon sees them in a certain way but in spending the day together the five of them realise they all have a little bit of each other inside.
John Hughes says the film was originally to be 2 and ½ hours long but some scenes were cut. He is the only person with the complete copy.
There have been many rumours of a sequel but nothing has ever come to fruition. I very much hope things stay that way.
Characters
Claire Standish – The typical pretty rich girl who attracts the attention of Bender.
John Bender – The bad boy of the group. Always in trouble and is in detention for setting off the fire alarm.
Brian Johnson – The geek. Brought a flare gun to school that went off in his locker.
Andrew Clark – The athlete and state champion wrestler.
Allison Reynolds – A bit crazy, strange and just plain weird. In detention because she had nothing better to do.
Starring; Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy.
Trivia
Anthony Michael Hall’s mother and sister in the movie are his real life mother and sister. Also, John Hughes played his Dad at the end of the movie.
The robot Bender from Futurama is named after John Bender from The Breakfast Club.
John Hughes almost got rid of Judd Nelson because of his attitude towards Molly Ringwald off camera. This was due to Judd staying in character even when the cameras stopped rolling.
Brat Pack Links
Buy The Breakfast Club