Summary
Anthony Michael Hall thinks the beloved 1980s teen movie classicThe Breakfast Clubcould be “right” for a remake. Hall starred alongside Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez and Ally Sheedy in John Hughes’ 1985 comedy, about a quintet of students from different cliques bonding with each other while serving a Saturday detention. A seminal teen movie of the ‘80s,Hughes’The Breakfast Clubwas made for just $1 million, and went on to gross $51 million at the box office.
Almost 40 years after he and his castmates made one of the most iconic movies of the ‘80s, and one of the central works in Hughes' filmography, Hall thinksThe Breakfast Clubis due for a remake, given what he perceives to be its still-relevant anti-bullying message. Check out his remarks below (viaInverse):
“The Breakfast Clubis another one that comes up. I think that’s really interesting because there’s a real strong anti-bullying message to the film, which became clear to me over these decades, and I think is powerful. So that’s another one that might be remade in the future. It’s not for me to decide that. Obviously, it’s Universal and the estate of Mr. Hughes, but I think that one could be right for a remake.”
Why The Breakfast Club Is Controversial Today, Despite Its Positive Themes
Writer-director Hughesseemed to capture something essentially true about 1980s teenagers withThe Breakfast Club, though in four decades there are aspects of the film that have come to be widely viewed as problematic. The film’s female stars have both, in their own ways, spoken out about elements of the movie that, in their eyes, run counter to today’s notions of sexual politics.
The Breakfast Clubwas originally titledThe Lunch Bunch
Ringwald wrote aNew Yorkeressay on her films with Hughes, discussingThe Breakfast Cluband calling out the sexual harassment her character endures at the hands of Nelson’s Bender. Ringwald’s fellowBrat Packmember Sheedy also addressedThe Breakfast Club’s “cringey” elements, singling out the scene where her “basket case” character is given a makeover by Ringwald’s (viaBehind the Velvet Ropepodcast):
“It is one of the things that surprises me about people still loving it, even now. That is actually an aspect of the movie that’s problematic. It’s a mixed bag.”
Despite the parts ofThe Breakfast Clubthat have come to be viewed as embarrassing in the four decades since its release, there are still positive messages to be gleaned from the film, at least in the eyes of Hall. RemakingThe Breakfast Clubwould, presumably, give new filmmakers a chance to address the original movie’s problems, and strengthen the story’s stance against bullying behavior. On the other hand, perhaps the film isn’t as ripe for a remake as Hall seems to believe, given how much the world has changed since it came out.
The Breakfast Club
Cast
After receiving detention, a group of five high-school students bonds as they realize they have quite a bit in common despite being from different friend groups. Despite being over 35 years old, The Breakfast Club still stands as one of the quintessential movies of the ‘80s and one of director John Hughes standout films.
