Movie Review: St. Elmo's Fire

Yay for the Brat Pack! I think everyone who has ever seen this movie really, really wants a group of friends exactly like this. Dysfunctional, maybe; but so, so tight. You just know automatically that these seven people would do anything for eachother, even though they get on eachother's nerves. I mean, you can tell that Jules totally wants to run Billy over in that scene outside his house, but you know she still cares.

Although definately one of the 80s classics, I don't think St. Elmo's Fire can really be called a teen movie, cause it revolves around college graduates. However, it definately has a teen film vibe to it- just some of the raw emotion and some of the issues. But then, one of the strongest themes in the film is the characters immaturity and inability to break away from their college lives, so I guess it's to be expected.

One of my favourite things about the movie is that, although it's a complex plot, the film doesn't sink under all the information. Often, movies with ensemble casts load too much information in, and it feels like you're watching three movies at once, which is trés confusing. But with St Elmo's Fire, everything was woven together so intricately that you really did feel emotions for those people. You got to know that so well that you truly cared. You cried when Jules tried to kill herself. You wanted to comfort Wendy over Billy's ignorance. You longed to tell Leslie about Alec fucking the blonde sales girl. And I think that marks a brilliant movie.

Oh, and did I mention that three of my favourite 80's heartthrobs were in this? I was madly in love with Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club as the rebel, and Emilio Estevez was pretty hot in that, too, with his brooding 'troubled athlete' persona. Then Andrew McCarthy in Pretty In Pink has me drooling every time I watch it because he has this certain cute smile and way of flicking his hair that will be a non-negotiable requirement for whoever I marry. His pessimistic writer character in this bore some similarities with myself, so I guess I drew some paralells between Kevin and I and that's why I like him the best. Although it's definately Demi Moore's best film. It's even better than Ghost. Oh, and this scene made me the happiest girl alive because it combines two of these hotties talking about love. Every young girl's dream, much?

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I wish I'd been a teen in the 80s.