CarlyTown>The Drive-in>Teen Movies
Scrunchies & Angst: Teen Movies
There is no way that I can talk about the teen movies of the 1980s and not mention the best book ever written on the subject: Pretty in Pink by Jonathan Bernstein. This book explores eighties teen movies in depth and, as a bonus, is absolutely hilarious. Highly, highly recommended for anyone who remembers these movies with any affection.
Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) - Okay, so this is ever so slightly before the 1980s, but it's about the first teen movie I ever saw, and one of the strangest. Not least of all because Joey Ramone is presented as a sex symbol. So Riff Randall (P.J. Soles) is The Ramones biggest fan and skips school to get tickets to their concert, which infuriates the principal and causes a round of attempted record banning. Along the way, random weirdness. And at the end? They blow up the school. Those were different times to be sure.
Valley Girl (1983) - One of the most romantic eighties movies ever. Deborah Foreman is the valley girl of the title, who meets non-valley boy Nicolas Cage at a party after dumping her tool of a boyfriend. A true relic of the 80s with fabulous dialogue and clothes. But genuinely sweet and romantic. Both Foreman and Cage are very good and believable, and Colleen Camp and Frederic Forrest as Foreman's hippie parents lend humor and depth.
Night of the Comet (1984) - Valley Girl in space? Two teenage girls from the valley wake up one morning to find that the rest of the population has been wiped off the earth. Except for some zombies. Where else to go but the mall? Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney play pretty tough girls for the time, and how can you not love the teenage fantasy of having the world (and the mall) to yourself?
Making the Grade (1984) - The first notable role for Judd Nelson, and one that takes on another trend of the 1980s--preppies. Nelson plays a street kid who is hired by a rich preppy to pose as him at his school, which is fortunate since gangster Andrew "Dice" Clay is after him. Nelson falls in love with a preppy girl, and becomes insufferable. Not very good, but the clothes are a fantastic example of preppy extremism. Features a hilarious performance by Dana Olsen as the rich kid. Olsen went on to write George of the Jungle.
Revenge of the Nerds (1984) - The classic story of nerds versus jocks, starring an adorable Anthony Edwards and a less adorable Robert Carradine, who according to behind-the-scenes info, was actually quite a hunk. Is anyone not moved by the last scene? A little "We are the Champions" playing, and the whole homecoming audience joins the nerds on the field? *wipes away a nerdish tear*
Just One of the Guys (1985) - Not a very good movie at all, but as Jonathan Bernstein wrote in Pretty in Pink, it was ALWAYS ON. A young woman (played by the never again seen Joyce Hyser) goes undercover at a nearby school to investigate sexism on the school newspaper or something. She develops a crush on nerdy Rick (the underrated Clayton Rohner) and misunderstandings ensue. Notable mostly because of Rohner and because it was ALWAYS ON.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (1985) - Can't you see that Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt just want to dance?? Against her family's wishes, Parker auditions for Dance TV, but it's a rocky road along the way. Plenty o' dancing, and I believe everything turns out fine in the end.
Better Off Dead (1985)- Very kooky teen comedy by Savage Steve Holland. Stars John Cusack as Lane Meyer, who just got dumped by his girlfriend, has a genuinely weird family and neighbors, is being stalked by his paper boy, and is preparing for a big ski race. So he tries to kill himself, several times. Things start looking up when he meets French foreign exchange student Monique.
The Sure Thing (1985) - Directed by Rob Reiner and starring John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga, this cross-country road trip movie is one of the best romantic comedies ever. Really well written and acted; romantic, funny and adorable. What else is there to say?
Modern Girls (1986) - Kind of obscure film starring Virginia Madsen, Daphne Zuniga and Cynthia Gibb as L.A. party girls, who get mixed up in crazy adventures during a night on the town. Starring Clayton Rohner in a dazzling dual role--nerdy Clifford and British rock star Bruno X. Pretty cute, with a great soundtrack and a cast of actual L.A. party people.
My Chauffeur (1986) - Deborah Foreman plays a young woman who becomes a chauffeur and falls in love with a rich guy. Foreman is adorable, and there's lots of humor in her interactions with her coworkers at the chauffeur company. Sweet and romantic as well. So underrated!
One Crazy Summer (1986) - Another kooky Savage Steve Holland movie, this one a little less successful than Better Off Dead. John Cusack and his wacky friends try to save their island home from evil developers. Cusack falls in love with singer Demi Moore along the way.
Can't Buy Me Love (1987) - Kind of icky 1980s comedy about a geek who hires a popular girl to act as his girlfriend. Patrick Dempsey will ALWAYS be this kid to me. Of course, once he gets popular, he turns into a jackass (see also Making the Grade). He was kind of an ass to begin with anyway.
Hiding Out (1987) - Underrated teen movie about a baby-faced lawyer (Jon Cryer) on the lam from gangsters who hides out at his cousin's high school. The plotline of having an adult attending high school is very cute, and the cast is great, with the always funny Keith Coogan as his cousin, and Annabeth Gish as his romantic interest.
Satisfaction (1988) - Yeah, again, not a very good movie. A girl band plays at a beach bar over the summer, and one of them falls in love with the owner. Liam Neeson is in it, as well as Julia Roberts and Justine Bateman. Pretty much a universally grating cast, with the exception of Scott Coffey, who plays their roadie, and as usual, is hilarious and sweet.
Book of Love (1990) - Another forgotten little movie of the eighties, this one is set in the 50s as the memories of a guy looking back at his high school years, when he was a bit of a geek and in love with a popular girl. Sweet and funny story, and good performances, including the always hilarious Keith Coogan.
School Ties (1992) - Okay, so this was made in the 1990s, but it's TOTALLY an eighties film. Gorgeous Brendan Fraser is recruited to play football at a private school despite the fact that he is Jewish. He hides his religion, but eventually it all comes out. Great supporting cast with Matt Damon, Chris O'Donnell, Ben Affleck, and Anthony Rapp. And the sheer gorgeousness of Brendan Fraser.
- Back to Top -
Sixteen Candles (1984) - Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald) is having a trying sixteenth birthday. From family issues and her sister's weeding to school dances and unrequited love, it's an unforgettable day. But everything works out just fine, since she hooks up at the end (SPOILER) with Jake Ryan, hunkiest hunk in all 80s teen movies.
The Breakfast Club (1985) - Trapped in all-day Saturday detention, five different teens argue, explore, smoke pot, learn, dance and share. Seminal eighties movie, of course, with dialogue that any self-respecting 80s survivor knows by heart. You know, when you get old, your heart dies. It must be true, Molly Ringwald wouldn't lie.
Pretty in Pink (1986) - Poor rebel Andie (Molly Ringwald) has a crush on rich guy Blane (Andrew McCarthy). Andie's friend Duckie has a crush on her. So does linen suit-sporting James Spader. As the years go on Duckie seems increasingly needy, Blane increasingly spineless. I think Spader may have been the best choice, linen suits and all.
Some Kind of Wonderful (1993) - Another tale of lovers from opposite sides of the tracks - or are they? Eric Stoltz loves Lea Thompson, Lea loves Craig Sheffer, Craig loves his hair, Mary Stuart Masterson loves Eric Stoltz and her drums, Scott Coffey loves Mary. No one loves skinhead Duncan, although everyone should.
- Back to Top -
Dazed & Confused (1993) - Even though this movie is set in the seventies, and my high school experience was in the eighties, this movie captures the feel of high school and summer perfectly for me. Great cast, great writing, kickass movie. LOVE Matthew McConaghey as Wooderson, that slightly older guy who hangs out with teenagers. "That's why I love teenage girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age." Hilarious and a perfect depiction of high school life.
Can't Hardly Wait (1998) - SUCH an eighties teen movie, even though it was made in 1998. Dorky Preston (Ethan Embry) wants to let Jennifer Love Hewitt know that he loves her, but things keep getting in the way at the all-night graduation party. Literally EVERY teen star of this time period is in this film--even Jason Segel! Very funny and adorable.
Not Another Teen Movie (2001) - This parody of teen movies is pretty uneven. It's not entirely sure whether it wants to parody John Hughes or American Pie. It can get way too crass and gross, but when it sticks to parodying the eighties movies, it's just about perfect. Chris Evans's impression of Jake Ryan is spot-on and hilarious, and Sam Huntington's impression of Keith Coogan is obscure, but amazing. Lots of in-jokes about eighties films, including a cameo by Paul Gleason. And anything that mocks She's All That and American Beauty is just fine with me.
- Back to Top -
DeGrassi Junior High (1987) - Oh, those adorable little Canadians and their issues. Thanks to public television, we in America got to share in their trials and triumphs. Loved Caitlin's blonde streak (but not her hiding of her epilepsy) and I may have actually thought Joey Jeremiah was cute at one point.
Sweet Valley High (1994) - OH MY GOD, what a guilty pleasure. Based on the incredibly popular series of books, the show follows the adventures of identical twins Elizabeth (the good one) and Jessica (the evil one) Wakefield, and their crowd of attractive friends. I recommend the following drinking game for this show involving drinking every time: there's a musical montage, the cast sports awful mid-90s fashion (jumpers are plentiful), Todd Wilkins (Elizabeth's boyfriend) says "I'm going to kill that guy!", rich guy Bruce Patman does anything that makes me shout "GAY" at the screen, Jessica does something super evil, or the whole cast gets together for a group hug. Good times.
Freaks and Geeks (1999) - Unbelievably well written and acted series about teens in the early 80s. The show is centered about siblings Lindsey and Sam Weir, as they struggle with high school life. From smoking pot under the bleachers, to high school dances, to dodge ball, this show is a perfect depiction of high school life. And so, so good. Just one perfect season is all that was made, but it's a work of art. I recommend the limited Yearbook edition, with tons of commentaries and extra features--it helps you get over the fact that there are only 18 episodes.
- Back to Top -
Updated 8/1/11
Comments, questions, or suggestions?
Email carly[at]carlytown.com.
|
|
Swingin' Classics
Horror (That Doesn't Suck)
Musicals: Now With More Singing & Dancing
Scrunchies & Angst: Teen Movies
Don't forget...The Ghoulish Gals Guide to Horror Blog
Back to CarlyTown
|
