The Breakfast Club

I bought this dvd just because it was cheaper than the one disc version, and I was pleasantly surprised!
The bonus disc has a 12-part documentary that I'd never seen before with cast members (Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, the care-taker)and film-makers discussing the film and its cultural resonance. They also discuss the Brat Pack label and it's impact on the actors' careers. There are different parts for each character and the music soundtrack.

Being an 80's kid I'll admit I'm slightly biased in saying this is one of the best films ever! This is a perfect film for most people who enjoy a film to have a storyline and to see the change that characters go through a film (not a typical cliché buddy movie though)

This film more than any other teen movie that I've seen, shows the divisions that an American high school may have (I'm from the UK so I'm guessing) in a heightened way, yet it remains a very serious moving picture... with comic effect thrown in for good measure.

The basic story is five high school students all have Saturday detention and must put up with each other, on their own for the day. From the first motif of the high school we get an idea of what these divisions maybe. And the rest of the film shows them talking to each other in a way they're probably not used to in their own niche of school life. The criminal stops insulting someone for 5 minutes and gets to know someone for themselves, rather than the clothes they wear... the jock gets to say what HE'S feeling and the nerd gets spoken to! although you could probably see the ending coming before you even put the dvd in the player, this is still a film you'll want to see till the end, simply to see how all the kids end up.

Although the "day" closes well we never find out if the day changed any of the children permanently, and that's almost the point of the film. firstly about how everyone under their clothes or musical taste are all people, but also how people can get forced into these stereotypes and no matter what they do they will forever be known as a jock, criminal, princess etc....

I would highly recommend this film to anyone who has an interest in films based on high school life, because chances are this film started it!

Often quoted as "the film of the 80's" this is a must watch (at the very least) for any movie collection, but especially people who don't need films being blown up every 5 seconds and people who can watch a "comedy" with probably less that 10 jokes in the whole film!

The Breakfast Club is one of the most touching films you will ever see. The only thing I find surprising is that more people don't seem to go crazy for it; after all, it captures perfectly that strange, confused person we all once used to be - a teenager.

Five students with nothing in common have to spend an entire Saturday in detention and write an essay on who they think they are. This mundane and seemingly pointless exercise unwittingly sets them on an emotional journey that they will never forget and that will change all of their lives forever. They only met once, but the Breakfast Club was probably the best thing that could ever have happened to these characters.

The most enduring lesson of this film is that not everyone is who they first appear to be. The confident Mr Verner is in fact very insecure, the 'stupid' janitor is much sharper than anyone will ever give him credit for. But the five students prove the stars of the show. Apart from Emilio Estevez, none of them became huge stars, but all deliver performances to die for. The 'Brain' is in fact a far more volatile and cut-loose person than he first seems, the 'Criminal' has a real heart, the 'Basket Case' is screaming inside for the world to treat her like a human being, but no one seems to listen, the 'Princess' is trapped in a role where she is what everyone but herself wants her to be, and the star wrestler and tough guy is in fact a scared little boy, desperate not to disappoint his father. The emotional journey will bring you right back to those days of high school, of being judged on who your friends were and the clothes you wore, when no one saw the real you.

The famous dance sequence of 'We are Not Alone', the gathering in a circle and the dope fuelled rampage are beautiful, but nothing can compare to the cutting letter they leave for Mr Verner, signed by the Breakfast Club, and the iconic image of Bender punching the air with 'Don't you Forget About Me' playing in the background.

If their was one criticism about the film, it would be that it starts slowly, as it has to build up the relationship between the characters before the plot thickens, but stick with it, it's worth it. And for those of you who care about extras, there is the trailer, but nothing else.

Career defining performances, a great script, a unique story in the best cinematic tradition (no CGI or stupid cliches here) and cracking soundtrack, unless you somehow slept through puberty, you'll love the Breakfast Club.