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On to our next John Hughes film and this one is a bit, well
weird.
Although far-fetched, it starts off in typical 80s teen movie fashion, with Anthony Michael Hall back again for another John Hughes geek role, and together with his best (and only) friend decide to throw together the perfect woman with the help of some state of the art 80s technology.
Straight from the outset, although she seems nice enough, Kelly LeBrock doesnt come close to being any sort of ultimate woman to me. I was puzzled when the blonde (soon to be Mr Halls love interest) was commenting how perfect and beautiful she was, when in fact she probably didnt hold a candle to her. Anyway, its beside the point.
Apparently this screen play was written in record breaking time, and it wouldnt surprise me either, because it just doesnt seem up to par with anything else Hughes has done, even though it has actually garnered a huge cult following and realistically, it is one of the first films you think of when you think 80s teens.
Its probably a pretty good idea, but more time needed to be put in because at times it just seems to be out of control and theyve obviously just thrown it together to continue Hughes teen movie hot streak.
If anything though, Id say Anthony Michael Hall did a bang up job, showing lots of different and quirky sides to himself especially funny is the great scene in the blues bar.
I still remember they made a TV show about it in the 90s, kinda of a modern day Bewitched/I Dream of Jeannie type thing, as Lisa is kind of just a genie archetype character anyway it actually made a little more sense than the movie ever did.
Anyway, this is a true blast from the past that doesnt hold up so well after about the three-quarter mark, but probably never really did anyway.
So, what would you little maniacs like to do first?
Holiday road
Today we look at our next John Hughes movie and it is his first real success as a writer with the now legendary National Lampoons goof-ball comedy Vacation.
Chevy Chase was on a hot streak after his success with Caddyshack (see post) and fit straight into his classic Griswold character, who was actually the complete opposite of Ty Webb from Bushwood Country Club.
Hughes apparently based it on his own family's horrific adventure to Disneyalnd when he was a boy. It was the first of a series that rarely turned out as good as the original and although Hughes wasnt onboard for European Vacation, he did return for Christmas
All the mishaps that could happen do and while Beverly DeAngelo gets her cans out as usual, Sparky (as she calls him) cant get his mind off Christie Brinkley, who plays the classic Girl in Ferrari.
Anthony Michael Hall makes another appearance in his first of many appearances for John Hughes as Griswolds son. And although the whole thing is very exaggerated, I think we can all relate to this story in some way, especially those of us who were kids in the 80s and had to endure some kind of family holiday or another.
In some way this movie really is a white trash b-grade pile of dirt, but in another way it is a classic 80s comedy that has somehow managed to keep itself relevant more than 25 years later.
Besides you gotta love Griswold, and it really has got some pretty funny moments.
But can someone explain one thing to me what is with Americans and those wood-panel wagons? Who the hell thought of that?
When I was a boy, just about every summer we'd take a vacation. And you know, in 18 years, we never had fun.
Still burning
Now that the hype of 80s film pioneer John Hughes death has calmed down, I thought it was time we delved back into some of the films that really helped shaped the era and gave us all those memories. In the following week, well have a look at a bunch of them.
I though what better movie to start with than his first real coming-of-age teen film that helped define all his later works Sixteen Candles.
Hot off his recent success with National Lampoons Vacation, Hughes finally got to write the kind of film that hed been wanting to.
It was also his first (and hers) role with Molly Ringwald, which helped her jump into the teen spotlight and right bang in the middle of the Brat Pack.
On recent re-watch, I really thought this movie held up so much better than I remembered the first half is still a really great film and Ringwald is truly likable.
While the first two acts have stood the test of time, the final isnt so hot and the ending is barely stomachable...
There are a few things that stand out, like Anthony Michael Halls great performance as The Geek which has stereotyped his whole career since, or the bizarre Long Duk Dong that is pretty funny, but borders on the edge of offensive and racist. It is obvious that characters like that were definite inspirations for later teen movies, such as the character Harold and Kumar from their roles in American Pie and Van Wilder. Her little brother is also an absolute gem.
The whole movie really was beginning of the genre and while some bits have dated, I think its relevant for anyone who is, was or will be a teenager in any decade.
"When you don't have anything, you don't have anything to lose. Right?"
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