Detailed Summary
Saturday Morning Detention
Five high school students from different social groups are sentenced to spend a Saturday in detention at Shermer High School. The group includes:
- John Bender (Judd Nelson): The rebellious “criminal”
- Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald): The popular “princess”
- Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez): The athletic “jock”
- Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall): The brainy “nerd”
- Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy): The introverted “basket case”
Initial Tension and Stereotypes
The students are supervised by the strict and condescending Vice Principal Richard Vernon (Paul Gleason). Vernon assigns them to write an essay explaining who they think they are. Initially, the students sit in silence, embodying their stereotypes and showing little interest in connecting with one another.
Breaking Down Barriers
As the day progresses, the students begin to interact, initially through antagonistic exchanges, particularly with Bender provoking the others. They eventually bond over shared experiences and personal confessions. Bender reveals the abuse he suffers at home, Andrew talks about the pressure from his father, Claire admits to the pressures of popularity, Brian confesses to contemplating suicide over a bad grade, and Allison discloses her feelings of invisibility.
Emotional Breakthroughs
The group reaches several emotional breakthroughs as they open up about their lives and insecurities. They realize that despite their differences, they share common struggles and feelings of inadequacy. They laugh, dance, and even smoke marijuana, forging a deep, albeit brief, connection.
Writing the Essay
In the end, they decide to write a single essay as a group, challenging Vernon’s assumptions about them. Brian writes the essay, summarizing their experiences and stating that they each have the capacity to be a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. They leave detention with a sense of camaraderie and a better understanding of themselves and each other.
Movie Ending
The film concludes with the students leaving detention, each going their separate ways but changed by the experience. As they walk out, Bender raises his fist in the air in a symbol of defiance and triumph. Brian’s voiceover reads the group’s letter to Mr. Vernon, expressing that they no longer accept being defined by their stereotypes.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, “The Breakfast Club” does not have any post-credits scenes.
Type of Movie
This film is a coming-of-age teen drama, focusing on the personal growth and social issues faced by adolescents.
Cast
- Emilio Estevez as Andrew Clark
- Paul Gleason as Richard Vernon
- Anthony Michael Hall as Brian Johnson
- John Kapelos as Carl the Janitor
- Judd Nelson as John Bender
- Molly Ringwald as Claire Standish
- Ally Sheedy as Allison Reynolds
Film Music and Composer
The film’s soundtrack is notable for its iconic use of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds, which has become synonymous with the film. The score and additional songs capture the 1980s vibe, enhancing the film’s nostalgic feel.
Filming Locations
- Maine North High School, Des Plaines, Illinois: The primary filming location for the interiors of Shermer High School, providing an authentic high school setting.
Awards and Nominations
- MTV Movie Awards: Nominated for Best Movie.
- National Film Registry: Selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The cast rehearsed the script several times to achieve natural performances.
- Director John Hughes allowed for improvisation, leading to some of the film’s most memorable moments.
- The library set was constructed specifically for the film inside the closed-down Maine North High School.
Inspirations and References
- John Hughes’ Own Experiences: Inspired by Hughes’ own high school experiences and observations of teenage life.
- Universal Themes: The film touches on universal themes of identity, peer pressure, and the struggle to be understood.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no significant alternate endings, but several deleted scenes have been mentioned, including additional character interactions and more depth into their personal lives.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Opening Scene: The students arriving at detention and the iconic “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” playing.
- Group Confessions: The heartfelt sharing of their personal stories and struggles.
- Dancing Scene: The students letting loose and dancing together in the library.
Iconic Quotes
- “Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong…” – Brian Johnson
- “We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.” – Andrew Clark
- “Screws fall out all the time, the world is an imperfect place.” – John Bender
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Shermer, Illinois: A fictional suburb often used in John Hughes’ films.
- Character Props: Each student’s items (like Bender’s switchblade and Brian’s lunch) subtly reflect their personalities and backgrounds.
Trivia
- The film was shot in sequence, allowing for a more natural progression of character development.
- Judd Nelson stayed in character off-camera, sometimes aggravating the cast and crew.
- The film was produced in just a few weeks on a relatively low budget.
Why Watch?
“The Breakfast Club” is a quintessential teen movie that resonates with audiences of all ages. Its exploration of stereotypes, identity, and the shared human experience makes it timeless and relatable. The strong performances, witty dialogue, and emotional depth make it a must-watch.
Director’s Other Movies
- Sixteen Candles (1984)
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
- Pretty in Pink (1986)
- Weird Science (1985)
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
- Dead Poets Society (1989)
- Stand by Me (1986)
- Dazed and Confused (1993)
- Clueless (1995)
