"I just want them to know that they didn't break me."

Review: Pretty in Pink

An Augustus Rating of 7/10

Today I’ve decided to review an old time favourite of mine, Pretty in Pink. This 1980s movie illustrates the difficulties of being in a lower social class, love at first sight and believing in yourself.

Molly Ringwald plays the protagonist, Andie Walsh, a teenager in her senior year. She lives with her father, Jack (Harry Dean Stanton), who is unemployed and extremely unmotivated. Andie lives in a very low class neighborhood and is often teased about her working class family.

Andie’s best friend and childhood friend is her neighbor, Philip “Duckie” Dale (Jon Cryer). Duckie is in love with Andie but is so nervous that he plays his feelings off as a joke. He makes Andie laugh, but she doesn’t consider him anything more than a friend.

Andie develops a crush on a preppie, rich boy at her school, Blane McDonough (Andrew McCarthy). The two feel instant attraction but feel resistance due to their difference in wealth. Blane’s friends, Steff (James Spader), and Benny (Kate Vernon) constantly make fun of Andie and disapprove of Blane’s interactions with her.

Why yes, that is Alan from Two and a Half Men!

Andie and Blane try to advance their relationship by going on their first date. Andie is ridiculed by Blane’s friends but isn’t affected by their harsh words. When Blane tries to drive Andie home, she breaks down and admits that she doesn’t want him to know where she lives. Blane decides to ask Andie to the prom. Andie accepts and they passionately share their first kiss.

When all seems well, Andie and Blane’s relationship takes a rocky turn. The clash between the social hierarchies creates problems for every character in the movie. Hearts are broken; jealousy consumes friends and the one event that will decide true love: the prom.

Pretty in Pink was overall a commercial success. It earned over 6 million in its opening weekend and over 40 million during its theatrical run. The movie was the 22^nd highest grossing film in 1986. The movie earned its legacy in later years, mentioned in popular TV series such as Psych, Glee and Dawson’s Creek.

This movie is a heartwarming story of a girl whose courage and self determination was able to help her overcome her status and accept who she is.  A truly inspiring movie, why, I shed a tear every time!

-       Augustus

      SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_in_Pink