It’s impossible to think of 1980s cinema without thinking of “The Brat Pack,” that group of young actors and actresses that appeared in numerous films with such a variety of co-starring combinations you would think they were human Garanimals. What made Brat Pack films so appealing was the law of large numbers: even though you might not have liked all of the members, chances were good that you liked enough of them so that at least one appeared in every film. A Brat Pack film had to star at least two Brat Packers, and the generally accepted “official” Brat Pack roster consisted of the following eight stars:
Emilio Estevez
Anthony Michael Hall
Rob Lowe
Andrew McCarthy
Demi Moore
Judd Nelson
Molly Ringwald
Ally Sheedy
Below are the dozen pictures that left a mark (whether you like it or not) on the history of the movies.
Class (1983): Skip (Lowe) is a cool guy because he wants to help his new prep school roommate Jonathan (McCarthy) lose his virginity (a very 80s theme). When he sends Jonathan to Chicago for said loss, the sexual neophyte scores with older woman Ellen (Jacqueline Bisset). Things get messy when Jonathan learns that Ellen happens to be Skip’s Mom. Oops. Directed by Lewis John Carlino
The Outsiders (1983): Based on titular S.E. Hinton novel and set in the 1960s, this film features the best-looking gang of greasers ever on film yet who, despite their handsomeness, are simply looking for acceptance. It’s a who’s-who of future Hollywood talent in this one, featuring C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, and Diane Lane. It also stars Brats Estevez and Lowe. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Oxford Blues (1984): Lowe plays a Las Vegas resident and accomplished rower (because so many accomplished rowers hail from the desert) who falls in love with a British girl (Amanda Pays) and follows her to England, where circumstances force him to enroll at Oxford University. Brat Sheedy joins Lowe. Directed by Robert Boris.
Sixteen Candles (1984): This is possibly the best of the Brat Pack bunch, and it marks the first directorial effort by legendary ‘80s teen-movie Patron Saint John Hughes. A high school girl (Ringwald) has the worst sixteenth birthday ever – nobody remembers it. Plus, she has a crush on a guy (Michael Schoeffling) she doesn’t stand a chance with, and a school nerd (Hall) has the hots for her.
The Breakfast Club (1985): Five out of eight Brat Packers star in what is probably the quintessential Brat Pack film: many Brats, a memorable anthem [“Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds], and an endless supply of repeatable quotes. In short, five high school kids from five different cliques wind up in detention for an entire Saturday and learn more about themselves and each other than any class could teach them. Brats Estevez, Hall, Nelson, Ringwald, and Sheedy star. Directed by John Hughes.
St. Elmo’s Fire (1985): If five out of eight is so good, why not six? It’s a veritable Brat convention about a group of friends who just graduated college and have no clue about what to do with their relationships, drug problems, or careers. It’s as if The Breakfast Club grew up and realized that maybe they should have reflected a little harder during that Saturday detention. Brats Estevez, Lowe, McCarthy, Moore, Nelson, and Sheedy star. Directed by Joel Schumacher.
Weird Science (1985): *This film – about two high school boys who gain popularity (and the woes that come with it) when they invent Kelly LeBrock – gets an exemption from me. It only features one Brat (Hall), but the Oingo Boingo title theme is great, and it was directed by John Hughes. And did I mention they invented Kelly LeBrock?
About Last Night… (1986): Brats Lowe and Moore star in this love story about two people who go through the many nuances of a new relationship. While dealing with all of that, their respective best friends become jealous and possessive. Meh. Directed by Edward Zwick.
Blue City (1986): A young man (Nelson) learns that his father has been murdered, and he returns to his small hometown to solve the crime and avenge his father’s death. He gets help doing all of this help from fellow Brat Sheedy. Look for David Caruso, perhaps foreshadowing being pale and in Florida. Directed by Michelle Manning.
Pretty in Pink (1986): A high school girl (Ringwald) from the poor side of the tracks, with what can only be described as an unhealthy obsession with the color pink, is in love with a high school boy (McCarthy) from the rich side of the tracks. In fact, it’s possible his parents own the tracks. Boy and girl defy social odds. Also in this are Annie Potts, Jon Cryer, and James Spader (in a prototypical James Spader role). Look for cameo appearances by Dice Clay, Gina Gershon, and Dweezil Zappa. Directed by Howard Deutch.
Wisdom (1986): Estevez not only stars here, he wrote and directed as well. He plays a college graduate who can’t get a job because of a past felony conviction, so he abandons the honest life and with his moll, Moore, then makes like Robin Hood by terrorizing banks across the country in the name of struggling farmers everywhere. What, he never heard of Farm Aid?
Fresh Horses (1988): A girl from the poor side of the tracks falls in love with a guy from the rich side of the tracks. In fact, it’s possible his parents own the tracks. Waitaminute! I already typed this once! Oh, it’s basically the same storyline as Pretty in Pink, only this time it features … waitaminute! Again with Brats Ringwald and McCarthy?! Ah, here’s a change: supporting actors include Ben Stiller and Viggo Mortensen. Directed by David Anspagh.
Thus endeth the Brat Pack.
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