My So-Called Teen Movies: Five Fave John Hughes Moments

By Laura L.

Recently, the world lost a talented writer/director in John Hughes, who died of a heart attack at the age of 59. Hughes defined 1980s adolescent teen angst, writing and directing such movies as Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Yes, it’s true that the quality of his work eventually went downhill (Maid in Manhattan. No, seriously!), but those of us brought up in the ’80s—or, in my case, afterward—his high-school-era films really seemed to strike a chord. Here are my five favorite scenes from five John Hughes movies.

Sixteen Candles, 1984

1. The fairytale ending, in which Sam gets her perfect guy, Jake.

Sixteen Candles was many things. Racist, perhaps, due to the presence of the embarrassingly-named Long Duk Dong. One of the last PG-rated movies to feature nudity? Also true. But Sam Baker (played by Molly Ringwald) is someone I could relate to in high school: Someone who wished her boobs were bigger, someone who wanted to be noticed by a certain guy. . . just someone who just wanted to be noticed.

Weird Science, 1985

2. When Lisa (played by Kelly LeBrock) comes to life.

Weird Science included, among other things, an Oingo Boingo soundtrack. This alone makes it a great movie. But add the smokin’-hot Kelly “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Beautiful” LeBrock, computer technology, and lessons about love, and you’ve got a rollicking good time.

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