Goodbye, Mr. Hughes
John Hughes (February 18, 1950 – August 6, 2009)
The man who brought us Weird Science, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Career Opportunities, Uncle Buck, Sixteen Candles and Pretty In Pink has passed on.
Strangely, I feel like a part of my past is gone. George Lucas, Steven Speilberg, and John Hughes had the most direct impact on my adolescence. They were, are, the movie triumvirate.
Hughes’ characters, while archetypes, felt real within their world -the babe, the stoner, the jock, the geek. Maybe it was the era but it seemed that everything was possible, nothing was cynical and (lets not forget) there was a life-lesson to be learned by the end of every movie.
His talent will be missed.
I suppose it’s only fitting to end this post with the last bit from the John Hughes’ screenplay of The Breakfast Club -
INT. LIBRARY – DAY
We see Vernon pick up Brian’s essay and begin to read.
BRIAN (VO)
Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy to make an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD – DAY
We see Bender walking towards us as Brian’s monologue continues.
BRIAN (VO)
But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain...
ANDREW (VO)
...and an athlete...
ALLISON (VO)
...and a basket case...
CLAIRE (VO)
...a princess...
BENDER (VO)
...and a criminal...
BRIAN (VO)
Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.
We see Bender walking across the football field as he thrusts his fist into the air in a silent cheer and freezes there.
