A review of The Breakfast Club (1985) from a Gen Z perspective

Hi, a Gen Z here! So this week, my high school teachers showed us The Breakfast Club (1985) and I though I'd share my thoughts on the film from a Gen Z perspective. Before I went into this film, I knew that it was going to portray a vastly different version of high schoolers from today, so I knew that it's going to be somewhat dated and most likely not that relatable to me. This will be a long post so bear with me. That being said, I quite enjoyed this movie! For the positives, I was quite surprised at how nuanced the characters were and that they weren't just one-dimensional stereotypes, which I guess is very much the point of the whole film, that being that students from different cliques and friend group are not defined by those groups and are a lot similar to you than you think, which I think is a rather forward thinking message, especially for a teen high school movie from the 80s, but maybe that's just me. What surprised me was that Andrew, despite being the jock character, was a lot more of a calm, friendlier and empathetic charcter than the usual macho idiot asshole jock you see in most high school movies (though I guess that role goes more to Bender). Other parts that I like from the movie are the soundtrack, which was pretty good. The cinematography was nothing special, but it did it’s job. And there were some geniuenly great emotional moments from the film like when the kids were confessing their struggles to eachother, especially Brian, who I related to the most. And the overall story is really interesting and has a cool, fun premise. These were some things I quite liked from the movie, but now for my criticisms. The biggest problem I have with this film is John Bender. Now look, I'm not gonna critisize him for what he represents, as he comes from an abusive family and I was bullied by someone like Bender when I was in middle school and I can very much sympathize with what he is going through. That being said, he is pretty much insufferable and an unlikeable dipshit. He can be funny at times, but most of the time he just someone I want to punch. The worst is when he is constantly bullying and sexually harrasing Claire, the latter being played for laughs, which I think is not funny at all and disgusting in my opinion. Though I gotta ask, did people back then even find it funny? And what blows my mind even further is despite the fact Bender was berating and bullying Claire the whole movie, she for some fucking reason falls in love with him at the end?! Are you serious right now? Why the fuck would she fall in love with the guy that she fucking hates? John Hughes what the fuck were you thinking?! I get that he was bullying her because she's from a rich family and that she acts all high and mighty because of it and also the whole girls being attracted to bad boys sort of thing, but it's still kinda fucked up, dude. There was also Principal Vernon, who is a verbally abusive and awful principle who treats his students like shit, but he is meant to be seen as a terrible person and someone to hate, so I'm not complaining about him. Though his behavior would be absolutely unacceptable today, which is a good. There was also the use of a lot of homophobic slurs, which I'm not that shocked by since it was the 80s and homophobia was sadly common back then. Hell, I feel like being anti-homophobic or supporting gay rights was probably seen as rebellious back then, but I'm probably wrong. Also another thing, and I think I speak for everyone when I say this, but Allison looked SO much better before her makeover at the end of the film! Like I get that it's supposed to reflect her desire of wanting attention since her parents never cared about her and that it was for Andrew since he was the first person that actually cared about her and her troubles, but c'mon her psuedo-goth look is what made her so cool and awesome man! So those are main praises and criticisms of The Breakfast Club. Overall I enjoyed this movie, but I don't think it is the greatest thing ever. I'm sure this movie resonated with a lot of people who grew up in the 80s and found the characters relatable. For me, while I do find the message and story to be rather good and still hold up today, I also think it is severely dated in it's comedy and certain characters. It's a good film and I like it a lot, but I don't think you can call it a "timeless classic" since it was made specifically for the time period it came out in and to the generation that was growing up in it. So yeah, those are my thoughts on the breakfast club! What do ya'll think hearing what a Gen Z's thoughts on this film? :) P.S You know what's funny, I don't think The Breakfast Club could be made today. Not only because of the SA jokes and homophobic slurs, but mainly because the premise. The whole idea of the movie is that a bunch of kids from different cliques get in trouble and have to be in the same group together, which people back then probably though " Wow, a movie about a bunch of kids from different cliques being in one group? Ain't that a weird, wacky fun idea!" But this wouldn't work today since The Breakfast Club is now just what every high school friend group looks like nowadays! XD