2 posts tagged “80s”

I'm surprised that I have never sat through this movie before - it was made in the 80s, it was a Brat Pack film...those two facts alone should have made it something I would have watched a number of times.  Somehow though, this one slipped through the net, but tonight I finally got around to seeing it.  The plot focuses on a group of college leavers in Washington D.C., who struggle to adjust with life after college.  There are seven in the group - Billy (Rob Lowe), a selfish but charming man who shirks his responsibilities to his wife and child; Alec (Judd Nelson), who has a good career and a great girlfriend who he really wants to marry, but he can't stop sleeping around; Lesley (Ally Sheedy), Alec's girlfriend who is struggling with whether or not she should commit to Alec; Kevin (Andrew McCarthy), a writer who harbours a secret desire which he is too afraid to talk about; Wendy (Mare Winningham), probably the nicest of the bunch - she wants independence from her family, and also has an unrequited love for Billy; Kirby (Emilio Estevez), who becomes obsessed with a woman who seems unattainable; and Jules (Demi Moore), a good time girl whose partying seems to be spiralling out of control.  As they all struggle with life and adulthood, they all learn a few lessons about themselves and each other.

This is certainly an enjoyable film - as with most 80s movies, there is all the usual nostalgic humour to be found in the fashions and hairstyles of the day, but there are also a few funny moments, and even a couple of touching scenes.  However, on the whole, the characters are shallow and self-obsessed, and it was hard to feel much for any of them.  Billy and Jules in particular were exasperating!!  Andrew McCarthy and Mare Winningham did manage to bring a nice touch to their roles and I did particularly like Kevin and Wendy.  Overall though, I suspect this movie was a lot more enjoyable when it could be watched at the time that it was set in.