Posted by Isis at d3194.dialup.cornell.edu on June 14, 2000 at 00:50:44:
In Reply to: That's like eating a burger in Bhopal.... posted by Darth Dobbin on June 13, 2000 at 17:06:56:
I maintain that it is the superior Hughes movie, the better Molly Ringwald flick, the only good Judd Nelson anything ever, and with a much more challenging & accurate take on the similar theme of class differentiation that "Pretty in Pink" tackles.
And an Andrew Dice Clay cameo does not speak well for any film. You're depressing me here.
"Pretty in Pink" is about conformity, my friend. Creating an illusion to deny one's true self. The message is clear; ladies, depend upon & use the affections of the men in your life (Molly's poor dad & Duckie) while dreaming of escape to a more profitable level. Take the path of least resistance, and you will be rewarded with the pleased attentions of those above you in the social hierarchy.
Nobody earns ANYTHING in "Pretty in Pink" -- Duckie don't get the girl, the girl whines and pouts and acts ashamed of her father before finally groveling back into Andrew's arms, Andrew behaves like a dick, everybody gets their cheesy happy ending. It's a cinematic justification for social ascription, my friend, capitalist propaganda.
I know, this is tantamount to blasphemy, but that movie gets way too much credit.
-- Isis
: Color me shocked. That's **the** movie- it's got everything for everybody.. It's got love, class struggle, Andrew Dice Clay, an Otis Redding Sing-a-long, and the kick-assing-ist soundtrack since PUMP UP THE VOLUME.
: (This is partially on-topic, what with Silent Bob's propensity to cry during it, so I'll continue.)
: The beauty of that movie is precisely that Andie/Molly **does** want the "cute guy" and not her cozy puppy-dog-friend. And that her bohemian stance/ outsider image is a defense mechanism from the pain of exclusion--Her strong reaction to the evil "richies" does indeed define her character, but there is still a sense of wanting to belong, and be a..well, a girl. That making her own clothes can co-exist with being "Pretty in Pink."
: The "truth" of that movie, for all the Duckies out there in the world is that being the "best friend" nets you no loving.Ever. The earlier that lesson is learned, the easier an emotional life any young vaguely funny/sensitive boy's life will be. Ain't no "fair" in the brutal game of attraction and relationships; Just because you "deserve" something, that is no indication that you will get it.
: And beyond all that, he made out with Annie Potts. He's got nothing to complain about.
: I will grant you that Duckie's sudden "love interest" in the last four seconds of the film is a Hollywood cop-out.
: That movie...when prom time comes, Molly has the nerve to dump Duckie, the loyal guy who stuck by her side through fat & slim, while whiny rich boy wavers about his status in society. Then, she SUCCUMBS to the pressures of adolescent conformity and attends her prom in a nasty pink dress, kicks Duck to the curb and runs off with Andrew McCarthy. It's a subliminal message to teenage girls to subvert their individualism and quietly seek mates of high economic station.
: : I'm not saying I didn't laugh at his post either, but come on, welfare recipients? What kind of an insult is that? You are poor thus stupid? It's the equivalent of kneeling down to punch a weak opponent square in the groin, and as Mr. Miyagi & Daniel-san taught us all long long ago, those who fight without honor always lose.
: : Ah, cheesy '80s teen flicks...there's a moral for everyone.
: : Meanwhile, the jackass who published his Ebert-esque review earlier is enjoying the hell out of himself. It's like classic Greek drama here, Hector vs. Achilles and shit. Who am I to interfere? Play on, Chiusano, but don't get your hands too dirty for no reason.
: : -- Isis
: :
: : : ..and his post were chock full of funny. I agree on a fundimental, theoretical level with you- In the universe of PRETTY IN PINK, it is the James Spader who is the asshole, and not the John Cryer, but there has got to be some malliability in the correctness guidlines for funsters like Chiusano to work his love-filled magic...
: : : "so he fills his films with what you would call "words an' such". "
: : : Maybe I'm a tard, but that set me to giggling.
: : : -Dobbin
: : : Next we won't be able make fun of the retarded.