“Hey, hey, hey, oooo, oooo, wooooah.”
The quintessential ’80s reverberations of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me” function like a veritable—era appropriate—Delorean, sending us back to a time stereotypically marked by rainbow jumpsuits, scrunchies, and Madonna-esque everything. The poignant words of a man once known as Ziggy Stardust shatter like broken glass as we are introduced to the setting, sans its era’s Technicolor tendencies.
“Saturday, March 24, 1984. Shermer High School. Shermer, Illinois, 60062.”
And as the very-’80s filmography takes us through the vacant halls of your average American high school, we are introduced to the situation at hand: one that is frightening to every audience member, no matter the viewer’s age as an adolescent 17 year old or a timeless 50 year old. Saturday morning detention. With the aforementioned shatter, Simple Minds’ vocals transform into Anthony Michael Hall’s youthful rhetoric as he begins, “Dear Mr. Vernon” and ends, quite frankly, “we were brainwashed.”
February 15, 2015 marks the 30th anniversary of this timeless John Hughes creation titled “The Breakfast Club.” It may not bear its name on the base of a golden statue symbolizing the Academy’s acclaim and it may not hold a spot on your prized DVD collection, which you once used to woo in potential high school romances. However, it does string a chord, one straight off Wang Chung’s “Fire in the Twilight,” as groupies like myself see the movie’s motley crew run through the halls of their alma matter and straight into our hearts. This movie, an illustration of a yesteryear that resonates with our parents, still ceases to amaze movie watchers today. Hughes, in all eulogy glory, knew what he was doing.
The question then is why: why does this movie still stand in a league of its own today? The answer is neither a singular one nor a simple one. But I venture to offer one potential reason. The first time I saw “The Breakfast Club,” the year was 2003. My mother, whose respective yearbook photos mirror those of the character Claire Standish, declared that she was about to show me one of the all-time greatest movies. Over a decade later, and I’m still hooked. Again, though, why? Because, collegiettes, the lessons taught by Hughes’ script and the actors who demonstrate them are eternal. So, in honor of the movie’s 30th anniversary, here are a couple of lessons from “The Breakfast Club.”
1. David Bowie did more than call “ground control to major Tron.”
Although “Space Oddity” made the infamously androgynous artist famous in 1969, Hughes positions him in light of his “Changes” lyrics. Beginning with the following Bowie poetry, “The Breakfast Club” illustrates the power and truth that can lie underneath music, no matter the infamousness of the artist.
“…And these childrenthat you spit onas they try to change their worldsare immune to your consultations.They’re quite awareof what they’re going through…” – David Bowie
2. We all face pressure. Especially parental pressure.
When being dropped off, Brian’s mother demands that he “get in there and use the time to [his] advantage.” And with a little “yeah’” from his infantile sister, he is kicked out of the beat up, late-model Mercedes and into our arms…only to find out that he was “failing shop.” We feel for Brian. But John Bender brings us back to reality, reminding us that these parents—compared to his own—are only trying to look out for their child’s best interest (stated however, in a less direct and eloquent manner). So, we relate to Brian for trying to “maintain [his] grade point average” but we also realize, that the subconscious or conscious burden our parents place on us is just out of the kindness of their heart. And more than anything, the feeling of this pressure is universal.
3. The world is an imperfect place.
In one of his more articulate phrases, Bender attempts to explain to Mr. Vernon the reason why the library door has inexplicably slammed shut, providing a bit of philosophical value: “Screws fall out all the time. The world is an imperfect place.” We are further taught the imperfections of the world, beyond the bubble of high school drama and difficulties, as we find out the idiosyncrasies—both good and bad—of each character’s mental and physical battle.4. “We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”
In fulfilling all “basket case” implications, Allison Reynolds makes art with dandruff and carries enough “crap” in her bag to support a small village. Frankly, she’s pretty upfront about her bizarreness. Claire on the other hand hides behind neat and polished composure that is designed by Ralph Lauren and attempts to sequester her individual weirdness through trendy sushi eating. But let’s face it; by the end of this movie we learn that there isn’t an outfit expensive enough at Bloomies to truly conceal your individuality, moreover your “bizarreness.” So said the wrestler, yes, we’re all pretty bizarre.
5. Try new things.
Modern cable companies have done a tactful job at removing a key scene in the progression of the movie: the smoking of Bender’s dope after its respective removal from “Johnsons underwear.” Hey, I agree, crack is whack and drugs are rarely the answer. But Hughes shows us that trying something new is always in style. Because god knows by the way Claire holds that J and Andrew performs cartwheels like today’s Gabby Douglas that neither have dabbled in the realm of marijuana before. Try something new, you’ll never know what will happen…or what Olympic like talent you’ll find.6. Whatever you do, do it well.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a janitor, a teacher, or “trying out for a scholarship,” “The Breakfast Club” teaches us that whatever you do, do it with all of you heart. We see Mr. Vernon collapse after years of teaching and a highly regarded tenure as he loses his passion and interest. Yet we see Shermer High’s custodian Carl Reed take utmost pride in being “the eyes and ears of this institution.” The juxtaposition of these two veterans clearly illustrates that it is how you perform your occupation that makes it worthy, not its title.
7. Everyone has a story.
Bender’s parents are abusive.Claire is a caught -up virgin.Brian feels like a failure.Allison is ignored.Andrew is pressured to be “number one.”Mr. Vernon thinks the kids have turned on him.…And the list goes on.
8. Your sex life is your sex life.
Claire might be a virgin and Bender, well not so much. But you are entitled to your own privacy regarding the manner. And as if Hughes saw the future, the complexities of society’s created gender dichotomy and double standard prevail: “…if you say you haven’t, you’re a prude. If you say you have, you’re a slut. It’s a trap.” The answer is just to pull a “basket case” and call yourself a nympho; really stir up the pot.9. Cherish youth.
Because becoming like our parents is “unavoidable. It just happens.” What “happens,” you might ask? Hughes writes it frankly: “when you grow up, your heart dies.” So if the messages of embracing childhood naivety and the like didn’t register while you were watching Disney movies or reading “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” then trust this ’80s iconic movie to tell it straight to you.
10. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
The “nerd” kisses his essay on behalf of the Club as the truth lies within its college-ruled lines: “What do you care? You see us as you want to see us in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each of us is a brain… an athlete… a basket case…a princess…and a criminal. Correct? That’s how we saw each other at seven o’clock this morning. We were brainwashed.”
Want to read more about the lessons from “The Breakfast Club”? Check out these articles:– Bustle– Huffington Post