THE BREAKFAST CLUB: NOT JUST A TEEN MOVIE

THE BREAKFAST CLUB: NOT JUST A TEEN MOVIE

So…The Breakfast Club wasn’t part of my Morbid Movie Memoir agenda. Then it hit me yesterday…Fuck! This movie turns 30 Saturday. I was 9 years old when I first saw this movie.

When you reach my age, and still maintain your movie geek status, you think about these things. Not just shocked that this movie is that old, but makes me think about how old I am and how fast time flies.

Even though this movie wreaks the 80’s, it still holds up. Probably cause its still relevant. Granted it’s been a long time since I rocked high school, but the weighty topics the characters address I’m sure still ring true today.

So as I said I was 9 when I first saw this. By this time I was knee deep in Horror and of course all the Hollywood classics that all kids loved at that time: Return of the Jedi, Temple of Doom, Ghostbusters, Terminator, etc. The date is fuzzy, but what I do remember is that my oldest step sister Angie came to my house one night to baby sit. The Breakfast Club just happened to come on HBO. She already saw it and was dying to get me to watch it. Being that I was a fan of Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Sixteen Candles, Risky Business, etc. I figured “why not?”

Crashing on the living room floor, I was already into the movie. 10 minutes in and we got some major cussing going on. I’m in. These characters are even making up some shit like: Neomaxizoondweebie. What the fuck does that mean? I don’t know. But I’m calling somebody that tomorrow at school. As the movie moves forward it’s clear that John Bender is the one to watch. The rest of the cast really doesn’t show any depth until they all rock the smoking circle. Then it’s clear that all these characters have something to bring to the party.

Looking back on this movie, I realize how unfairly stereotyped this movie is. It’s been called a teen movie for years. I don’t really see it that way. I think it’s a great comedy/drama just like all adult comedy/dramas. What qualifies as a teen movie anyway? Does it just need to have an all teen cast, or does the movie have to revolve around all things teen? Seemed like the characters in this film had legit problems that they’ll be struggling with way into adulthood. I guess if all it takes is an all teen cast, you can easily call “A Clockwork Orange” a teen movie.

For cats my age, a movie like The Breakfast Club is as important as a High School yearbook. Just as I said in my first entry, movies represent a specific time in this world. What was happening in movies, music, fashion, politics, etc. Just the overall feel of life in that time. This is one of those awesome movies that I can put on today, smile and remember where I was and what was going on in my life the first time I saw it. And the one liners are still fucking funny. It’s one of those line reciting movies. Right there with Rocky Horror, Goodfellas, Spinal Tap, Holy Grail, etc.

If you haven’t seen this movie, then you’re letting the good things in life pass you by. Stop what you’re doing…put down you’re fucking phone, get on one of those damn streaming sites, make some popcorn, and give this movie 2 hours of your time. You won’t regret it.

– Happy Birthday Breakfast Club…Thanks for the memories.

– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.