Cast: Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy, Harry Dean Stanton, Annie Potts, James Spader, Jim Haynie, Alexa Kenin, Kate Vernon, Andrew Dice Clay, Kristy Swanson, Emily Longstreth, Margaret Colin, Jamie Anders, Gina Gershon, Bader Howar, Christian Jacobs, Audre Johnston, Melanie Manos, Maggie Roswell, Dweezil Zappa, Jimmie Podrasky, Tommy Blatnick, Timothy J., Terry Wilson, Kevin D. Lindsay, Karen Laine, Bruno Coon, Jeffrey Hollie, Kevin Ricard, David Sutton, Kevin T. Williams, Rock Deadrick
Teenager Andie Walsh (Ringwald) lives with her father, Jack (Stanton), in a lower class neighborhood. Jack is thoughtful and caring, but ineffective. Life has presented him with reverses in the past, and now he is barely able to provide a living for his daughter. To make ends meet, Andie works at a store. Her time at work is livened up by her eccentric adult coworker Iona (Potts). Andie’s best friend is Phil “Duckie” Dale (Cryer), an insecure boy with a similarly poor background that cultivates an image of funny weirdness. At high school, Andie’s social standing keeps her apart from the popular girls. This does not bother her. It is the only life she has known, and she delights in her friendships with Duckie and Iona. Duckie has been in love with Andie since childhood. He worships her, but she only sees him as a friend. One day, a boy, Blane McDonnagh (McCarthy), notices Andie. He sees through her initial coolness and somewhat quirky clothes and, instantly attracted to her, he asks her out on a date. Andie likes Blane, but his advances present Andie with a dilemma. Like Duckie, but to a lesser degree, Andie has protected herself from the rejection and derision of the well-to-do popular boys and girls at school by keeping to herself. This has worked well enough, although as the Principal observes, “If you give off signals that you don’t want to belong, people will make sure that you don’t.” Andie can tell at a glance, from his polished manners and excellent clothes, that Blane’s family is wealthy. Despite her reservations, Andie decides to go out with Blane. He takes her to a party at the house of his friend Steff (Spader). Andie and Blane immediately meet with disapproval. Reactions from Blane’s in-crowd friends range from coldness to snubbing remarks. At the end of a less-than-happy night, Andie is embarrassed to let Blane see the kind of house she lives in. Despite the inauspicious beginning, the relationship between Andie and Blane strengthens. They do their best to ignore the criticism of their peers. Duckie is one of those opposed to Angie’s new interest. His own relationship with Andie is threatened by her budding romance with Blane. When Blane asks Andie to the prom, her dearest wish is fulfilled. But Blane’s peers continue to pressure him, telling him Andie is socially beneath him. They will turn their backs on him if he persists in seeing her. Andie, Blane and Duckie must make difficult choices. Friendship and love can at times be compelling and satisfying, but they also can become intensely hurtful. Can love conquer all? The romantic soundtrack enhances the 1980’s atmosphere and includes the songs If You Leave and Wouldn’t It Be Good. Screenplay by John Hughes.
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