It’s the movies that mean something to you when you’re sixteen, seventeen–they matter when you’re 46, 47.
So I jumped at the chance to attend the 30th anniversary screening of “The Breakfast Club,” and I jumped UP AND DOWN at the chance to hear from Molly Ringwald and meet her, too!
You see, those movies…
Sixteen Candles
The Breakfast Club
Pretty in Pink
All starring Molly Ringwald?
Those were my jam. And getting a chance to actually meet the woman who portrayed Sam, Claire, and Andie?
That is my jam, now.
So, for all you 80’s girls (and boys?) who have the same jam, here are my takeaways from An Evening with Bender, Brian, Claire, Alison, and Andy–The Breakfast Club.
11 Thoughts About Meeting Molly Ringwald, the 80’s “Brat Pack,” and Watching “The Breakfast Club” as the Mother of Teenagers
1. From the opening notes of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds, I was time traveling like Marty McFly.
2. I remember as a teenager thinking Bender was scary, and Allison was kinda gross (the dandruff scene IS a little gross). But now I just thought about how broken and lost those poor kids are. Also: That Allison is pretty, and sweet.
3. I had forgotten all about the Captain Crunch sandwich.
4. I have seen every one of those kids in my writing classes: The Brain, the Princess, the Criminal, the Outcast, and the Jock (“Sporto”). The more things change, the more they stay the same.
5. Back in the day, I related wholly to Claire, Molly Ringwald’s spoiled snob and prom queen, even though I was none of those things. Now I see how those five characters represent different parts of us all, of me. Even the jock. (Emilio Esteves is soooo good in this movie. I had no idea.)
6. Guess who Molly related the most to? Brian, played by her pal Anthony Michael Hall. “He put so much pressure on himself; he was so hard on himself,” she said. Insightful on her part. Never woulda guessed it.
7. Seeing TBC as a mom of teenagers was acutely different than seeing it as a teenager. As Molly herself said during the Q and A after the movie,
“It’s a one-sided story. All these kids have parents, and their parents probably aren’t nearly as bad as they think, with the exception of Bender’s dad.”
ALSO: The language! TBC would be rated R today!
8. I loved hearing Molly talk about her formative friendship with director/writer John Hughes, who died in 2009. The trilogy of films they did together, she said, revealed much more about him than any of his other films. Hughes would give her mix tapes, and drive her and Anthony Michael (whom she calls Michael) all over the Chicago he adored. She obviously revered him.
9. The one question Molly will not answer is:
“Did you date anyone in the cast?”
“Next,” she said, dryly.
(No, that was NOT my question.) She told me later she is ALWAYS asked that. And also if she can put lipstick on with her boobs.
10. “The Breakfast Club” should never be remade (although a play would be sensational, don’t you think?). “Only remake movies where they don’t get it right,” MM said. And I agree. Anyone like the remake of “Footloose” better than the original? I rest my case.
11. Meeting Molly was a revelation. We are the exact same age (she’s about 5 weeks older), and I was 16 when I saw–and swooned–over “Sixteen Candles”. I never got the chance to interview her in my seventeen and a half year entertainment writing career, and this was my chance to say hi and maybe get to know her a little, tiny bit.
We talked about baby names, because she did a bang-up job naming her babies (Matilda, 12, Adele and Roman, 6). She lit up when we talked about this, and just for a few minutes, we were two moms, talking about a subject that interested us both.
I praised her husband’s name, Panio (it’s Greek, and delicious). She said I should consider it for my next baby name book.
If I ever do get to write my hoped for “A is for Anastasia: Baby Names from Around the World,” you know Panio is going in.
I thought she was gracious, pretty, and interesting to talk to. I had heard she was not so nice from more than one person, but to me, she was pretty great.
It was one of those grand nights where past and present collide, but it was more like bumping into someone I liked, rather than a car crash.
1985 me and 2015 me considered each other with respect and warmth, and a few dots were connected. Kind of like my 25th HS reunion, a few years ago, but featuring Molly Ringwald and canapes.
We’ve come a long way, baby, I thought to myself.
By the way, if you love the 80’s like I love the eighties, do not miss this scrumptious throwback to Bonne Bell, Jean Nate, and the days when our bangs were “sprayed to a crisp.” Golden stuff, right here.
“It’s the time of your life that may last a lifetime” is the tagline for “Sixteen Candles.
And in some ways, that’s just about right.
What’s YOUR Favorite movie from when you were a teenager?
What would you ask its star?
Susie Finkbeiner says
My favorite was Brad Pitt. I even gave him up for Lent one year (not kidding).
If I ever met him I wouldn’t know what to say. I’m an idiot when I meet famous people.
Lorilee says
I love that you gave up Brad Pitt for Lent. You have to write that somewhere. I would say, to Brad and Angelina, thank you for all you’ve done to normalize adoption and bring the plight of orphans to our attention. Also: Rockin baby names, guys! 🙂
Susie VG says
Oh, Lorilee, what a delight to read this post! It is so fun to be sent back in time, giddily remembering the 80s and to think about it all as a mom now. Thanks for sharing so that it felt like I, too, got to meet Molly!
xoxo
Lorilee says
That is like, a totally awesome compliment, Susie! (it felt like I too got to meet Molly). 🙂 The 80’s were fun!
Tracy says
Sigh. What a great piece, Lorilee. And of the three, I’ve only seen The Breakfast Club! I was probably too busy with the latest Star Wars or Indiana Jones or Back to the Future flick. I must remedy this wrong. LOVED Breakfast Club, and now I love Molly. 🙂
I adored Ice Castles, and you’re spot-on: “Only remake movies where they didn’t get it right.” I can’t even bring myself to watch the remake. Don’t know what I’d ask Robbie or Holly. But I still remember this killer exchange of dialogue: Robbie: “Not trying is wondering your whole life if you gave up too soon. Who the hell needs that? Holly: “They’ll laugh at me. Robbie: “They might.”
Lorilee says
Thanks for the great bit of dialogue from Robbie, Tracy! Yeah, you should watch “Sixteen Candles” (my favorite) and “Pretty in Pink.” See Melanie’s comment about Jake Ryan below. I got a full body chill. 🙂
Melanie Pickett says
You have successfully transported me back to my teen years with this piece. I too am Marty McFly in this moment! Sixteen Candles, TBC, Some Kind of Wonderful, Pretty in Pink, Ferris…they were all part of my formative years. We all wanted to be Samantha. We all loved Jake Ryan. I wanted to walk out of that church and see him standing at his car, “Yeah, you.” We’ve all felt forgotten and small when we needed to feel special and big. I read an amazing blog post a few months ago that chronicled all the settings of John Hughes movies and mapped out the journey to each of those Chicago area locations. THAT would be an amazing trip to take with a bunch of girlfriends. It’s on my bucket list.
I love everything about this piece and the fact that you got to meet and talk to Molly!
Lorilee says
I love everything about your comment, Melanie! I loved all the John Hughes films, and didn’t know until later how much they meant to me. And geesh, your comment about Jake Ryan. “Yeah, you.” I got chills! 🙂
Meggan George says
Thanks so much for being part of our turning back the hands of time…..back to 1985. It was a fun experience all around. We are lucky to have you in Grand Rapids!
Lorilee says
Meggan! I keep thinking about what you said, how you were the girl with the asymmetrical hair in HS. My hair was just sprayed until crispy, every day. 🙂 Love you and the work you do at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center! Miss working with you but maybe we will again someday. XOXO
Ken Verhulst says
Loved the Breakfast Club and your story about Molly. Just purchased your memoir a couple days ago but haven’t started it yet.
Lorilee says
Thanks, Ken! Who was your favorite character in TBC?
Amy L. Sullivan says
Oh, I forgot all about putting lipstick on with her boobs trick. Not sure how I could have since I repeatedly dropped lipstick down my shirt attempting this trick.
Such a fun post, Lorilee.
Lorilee says
Ha! Amy, Molly said it was “movie magic”…she can’t even do it herself!
Heather says
Hi Lorilee. It’s Heather Tuba (Dalman) MBCI class of 1986. Boy did this blog take me back. I’ll share one memory with you: Seeing Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at St. Vital Centre at the end of grade 12. I don’t remember everyone that went but I know we drove in Nancy’s blue Honda civic. It was the night before the whole school went to the waterslides. I remember that part because I believed that a sunburn was a prerequisite to a golden tan. Anyway, I remember thinking it was so romantic how Ferris rescued his girlfriend Sloane from school and took her into the city. Up to the present: my oldest daughter Claire bought this movie a couple of years ago and I have since watched it twice. As an adult, I was drawn to Ferris’ best friend Cameron. The poor guy! But I internally cheered when he made the decision to face his dad after the Porsche fiasco. I love stories about overcoming fear! I just finished your memoir so have been reminiscing all week. This blog was the icing on the cake. I would like to send you a bit of my own orphan story. Is your contact form the best way? Great to reconnect with you.
Lorilee says
Heather, what a beautiful thing to hear from you! I have thought about you many times over the years. I love Ferris, too! Great memories of Nancy’s Honda!
How special that you read my book. I would love to hear your orphan story, too! I remember a small piece of it, I think. As far as my contact form, could you try it and see if it works? There might be a glitch. If you don’t hear from me quickly, assume it doesn’t. My email address is LorilEJ@aol.com. You can also message me on my FB author page. Truly, I’m so happy to hear from you!