Molly Ringwald Explains Why She’s ‘Troubled’ by ‘The Breakfast Club’ Three Decades Later

IndieWire ^ | April 6, 2018 | Zack Sharf

[EveningStar]

Molly Ringwald rose to prominence as John Hughes’ muse in the hit films “Sixteen Candles,” “Pretty in Pink,” and “The Breakfast Club,” but her most beloved movies are troubling her in hindsight. In a new essay for The New Yorker, Ringwald salutes and critiques her collaborations with Hughes, finding certain scenes in the director’s films to be misogynistic and homophobic. The actress makes it clear she loves Hughes and is proud of their work together, but that doesn’t mean their films should not be analyzed under a contemporary context.

While Ringwald was showing her daughter “The Breakfast Club” for the first time, the moment in which Judd Nelson’s Bender peeks up her character’s skirt stood out and made Ringwald uncomfortable. The actress writes that she “kept thinking about the scene” long after the viewing ended, and it wasn’t the first time she was forced to come to terms about its meaning.

[dfwgator]

If you listen to a lot of Richard Pryor routines back from the 70s, he wouldn’t get away with most of that stuff today.

[DiogenesLamp]

Gee. Could it be she’s a HAS-BEEN and wants a little attention?

Oy! These Hollywood people and their EGOS!

Might not just be ego. In that business, attention can equal money. I've been noticing over the last few years the reemergence of a lot of older actors whom we haven't heard from in years. Jean Claude Van Damme has been more prominent lately, and I was stunned to see Jerry Lewis appearing in a movie for the first time in decades.

They are remaking "Karate Kid" with Ralph Macchio and Billy Zabka.

And of course the various iterations of "the expendables" has had all sorts of old actors (Dolph Lundgren, et al) showing up in the public consciousness again.

There are others, but I don't remember exactly who, I just noted at the time that I hadn't seen anything from them in a very long time, and suddenly they are back making movies.

I'm wondering if Molly has a money problem (ala Nicholas Cage) and wants to attract attention because she's hoping for some acting work?

Or it could just be ego. :)

[dfwgator]

And then there's my favorite 80s comedy, "Better Off Dead" Two Japanese guys who only learned English by watching Howard Cosell, and wearing the ABC Sports coats.....brilliance!



"Truly, a sight to behold. A man, beaten. The once great champ, now a study in moppishness. No longer the victory hungry stallion we've raced so many times before, but a pathetic, washed-up, aged ex-champion."

[StAntKnee]

The headline is not the essay. A thoughtful piece by Molly Ringwald. Was an is a gorgeous person and smarter than the average bear. Recommend you read the original New Yorker story and decide for yourself, FReeps.

[Eddie01]

benighted is my new favorite work btw :)

[Eddie01]

great movie! my 15yob loves it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qao4nkmR7Qs

[military cop]

Waving her arms wildly from the Island of Irrelevence.

RLTW

[ncdrumr]

Man, I miss the 80s!

[Rummyfan]

...Judd Nelson’s Bender peeks up her character’s skirt stood out and made Ringwald uncomfortable. The actress writes that she “kept thinking about the scene” long after the viewing ended, and it wasn’t the first time she was forced to come to terms about its meaning.

Oh gawd....

[Rummyfan]

Long live Long Duck Dong!!!

No more yankee my wankee
The Donger need food!

[Enchante]

I ignored the John Hughes movies way back when, and I’ve never cared about them since.

[Brooklyn Attitude]

“No black, mexican, asian, trans, lesbian, gay characters?”

In other words, no useless or token characters.

[M Kehoe]

Probably laying the groundwork to sign up to the #metoo movement.

She must be broke.

5.56mm

[ClearBlueSky]

Stupid movie. Homely woman.

[rlmorel]

Nothing personal against your take on this, but I feel quite differently.

I DID read it, but then went back to see if there was something I missed. I don't see anything thoughtful at all there, except the virtue signaling of a liberal has-been.

“...I thought about it again this past fall, after a number of women came forward with sexual-assault accusations against the producer Harvey Weinstein, and the #MeToo movement gathered steam,” Ringwald writes. “If attitudes toward female subjugation are systemic, and I believe that they are, it stands to reason that the art we consume and sanction plays some part in reinforcing those same attitudes...”

Now, if she had made a comment about gun play in liberal movie productions and has said "...If attitudes toward female subjugation gun violence are systemic, and I believe that they are, it stands to reason that the art we consume and sanction plays some part in reinforcing those same attitudes...”

But she doesn't, even though I don't doubt for a minute she wouldn't have the guts to tell that to some well known leftist producers.

She wouldn't work another day in the industry, if she had a chance to anyway.

And who are the biggest purveyors of sexual exploitation and subjugation in the industry (not to mention foul language and explicit violence)? It isn't people who make films like "Paul, Apostle of Christ". It is people like her buddy Weinstein and everyone who chummed around with him until he became too toxic.

So, I would disagree it is a thoughtful piece by Molly Ringwald. It is exactly what one would expect from a Leftist who was happy to take money for doing something, only to have to rationalize it to herself later.

[shanover]

Well, she just took a big crap on the 80's. It was bound to happen. I loved all of those films and that was my golden era of teenage life.

"analyzed under a contemporary context."

The most ruthless and barbaric regimes in history have used this degree of thought to upturn societies. The goal is always to restart at day zero and burn the past. The Nazis, Soviets, Mao, Pol Pot among others put the boot on the neck and barrel to the head to force the people to conform in this fashion.

[rlmorel]

Of course, she states in the article the person wearing the viewed underwear was a stand in. She sounds like she is tortured about the perception of her young daughter to the scene. I think she would have been better served from an honesty (both to herself and her young daughter) to say:

"...I was a young actress trying to get ahead, and I was paid well for that movie, including the part where the guy looked up my skirt. Truth is, boys do that kind of thing. They know it isn't the right or gentlemanly thing to do, and if caught, get very embarrassed. But teenage boys do try anyway, and that is just part of male nature. Thing is, it is a movie. I profited from it, and became famous because of it..."

[safeasthebanks]

Two dollars!

[safeasthebanks]

and puffing up to about 2.5X her “teen” size“

Judd Nelson did say Claire was a fat girls name....

[Ouderkirk]

Could it be she’s a HAS-BEEN and wants a little attention?

And with that nugget, you are exactly correct.

I had the misfortune of seeing Ms. Ringwald in an off-broadway play some years ago. She was a mediocre dancer who didn't have the skill or conditioning to perform, didn't have the stage presence and no voice for the singing.

She was cute enough back in the day but has matured into an average woman with below average skills for a high-expertise profession.