Andrew McCarthy Was a Charming Leading Man in This Iconic ‘80s Movie

Writer/director John Hughes, in his work to make additional realistic coming-of-age films aimed at adolescent audiences in the 1980s, is accountable for the rise of “The Brat Pack,” a group of young actors that regularly appeared in his films. Stars like Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and even a young Robert Downey Jr. appeared in various classics that nonetheless evoke nostalgia for these who grew up in this era. While his recognition under no circumstances rivaled that of some of his additional renowned co-stars, Andrew McCarthy was 1 of the most vital major males of “The Brat Pack.” He may well not have had Matthew Broderick’s sense of humor or Rob Lowe’s terrible-boy appeal, but McCarthy usually brought a level of sensitivity and effortless charisma to his roles. McCarthy has not too long ago created a new Hulu documentary titled The Brat Pack, which requires a individual appear back at this crucial era in coming-of-age cinema.

McCarthy appeared in a lot of of the most iconic coming-of-age films of the era he played the lovesick Kevin in the surprisingly dark post-college drama St. Elmo’s Fire, managed to sustain the strangely sinister humor of Weekend At Bernie’s, and did some impressive physical comedy in Mannequin. However, the Hughes-written 1986 teen comedy Pretty in Pink showed just how charismatic McCarthy could be in a sweet romance. The film has aged nicely for the reason that of Molly Ringwald’s iconic overall performance as nicely as the emotional nuance that McCarthy brought to what could have simply been a generic riff on a Romeo and Juliet–style romance.

Pretty in Pink (1986)

Release Date

February 28, 1986

Director

Howard Deutch

Runtime

96

Main Genre

Comedy

Writers

John Hughes

Tagline

Blane’s a fairly cool guy. Andie’s fairly in pink. And Ducky’s fairly crazy.

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What Is ‘Pretty in Pink’ About?

As with a lot of of Hughes’ films, Pretty in Pink centers on a group of teenage lovers throughout the finish of their higher college practical experience in Chicago. Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) and her finest buddy Duckie Dale (Jon Cryer) practical experience intense bullying at college as a outcome of their financial status Andie’s father, Jack (Harry Dean Stanton), is a functioning-class man who can barely present for his family members. Andie is harassed by the preppy girl Benny Hanson (Kate Vernon), whose boyfriend Steff McKee (James Spader) harbors a secret crush on her. Despite her resistance to spending time with her “richie” classmates, Andie has a likelihood encounter with McCarthy’s Blane McDonnagh though at a senior prom dance. Blane straight away becomes smitten with her and asks her out on a date.

McCarthy shows an integrity inside Blane that tends to make him worth rooting for. Hughes is keen to note how starkly the college is divided by difficulties of class, suggesting that socialization among the reduce class and wealthy students is fairly uncommon. While Blane is not ignorant of the privileges that he has, he does not appear to create off the possibility of falling in adore with Andie basically for the reason that of her upbringing. In reality, Blane appears pretty much shocked when he meets such sharp resistance from Duckie about even approaching Andie though it is clear that Duckie is each secretly in adore with Andie and attempting to defend her, it under no circumstances seems that Blane is impeding upon a pre-current partnership. He has a sense of innocence that a lot of of Hughes’ other protagonists do not.

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Comparing ‘Pretty in Pink’ and ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’s Endings

Same film, unique endings.

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It’s not really hard to draw comparisons among Pretty in Pink and William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, as the film presents the notion of a “forbidden” romance among lovers of two unique social classes. What’s outstanding is that Pretty in Pink is capable to get viewers invested in the pressures that each Blane and Andie face as a outcome of their status. It’s not really hard to see why Andie feels ashamed of her meager upbringing, particularly due to Ringwald’s wonderful overall performance. However, McCarthy shows that Blane is saddled with expectations by Steff, Benny, and his other buddies to distance himself from Andie, as they threaten to ignore him if he moves forward with the partnership. McCarthy does a wonderful job at displaying the pressures of this decision forced upon Blane he can either threat it all on a girl he’s just met, or stick with the buddies that he’s recognized for years.

‘Pretty in Pink’ Offers a Sensitive Depiction of Masculinity

Not all of the funniest teen comedies of the 1980s have necessarily aged nicely, as a lot of play into outdated sexist tropes Pretty in Pink even consists of some relatively egregious references to sexual assault from Steff. However, McCarthy succeeds in providing an internalized and vulnerable overall performance in Pretty in Pink, displaying how deeply Blane considers the consequences of his action. Blane under no circumstances lashes out in anger at Andie, Duckie, or even Steff he’s so concerned about disrupting the status quo of their interpersonal dynamics that he usually keeps to himself.

While Pretty in Pink, like all of Hughes’ screenplays, is peppered with brilliantly witty dialogue, a lot of of McCarthy’s finest moments are when he is quiet and contemplative. Pretty in Pink is distinctive in that it does not attempt to “solve” its adore triangle, permitting McCarthy’s overall performance to turn out to be additional endearing. It’s in the end Duckie who realizes that he’s not definitely meant for Andie, which puts significantly less stress on her to “choose” among him and Blane. This tends to make the eventual kiss among Blane and Andie additional empowering. It’s a wonderful romantic moment for the reason that Blane is not attempting to pursue Andie beyond the point that she is comfy on the other hand, he couldn’t be additional overjoyed when she tracks him down in a parking lot and embraces him.

‘Pretty in Pink’ Is Unique Among 1980s Coming-Of-Age Movies

Pretty in Pink is 1 of Hughes’ finest films, as it tells a sincerely dramatic romantic story while under no circumstances creaking out of the confines of a teen comedy. Putting so a lot stress upon a young ensemble to convey such versatility was a threat, but McCarthy, along with the rest of the cast, was capable to give a overall performance that a lot of young audiences could relate to. Hughes’ films have stood the test of time for the reason that they treat their coming-of-age stories with respect and there’s not a hint of inauthenticity inside McCarthy’s perform in the film. Pretty in Pink is also aided by how effortlessly charismatic the actor is. There was often the prospective that a film with its heart on its sleeve could turn out to be saccharine, or even laughable if it descended into melodrama. Thankfully, McCarthy’s affable nature aids lighten the mood, as he plays a universally relatable character.

Pretty in Pink is streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.

Watch on Paramount+