Sixteen Candles 1984

Part sweet-hearted teenage romance and part raunchy National Lampoon comedy, which makes sense as this film represents a transition for first-time director John Hughes. Fresh from a post at the Lampoon magazine, where he penned the seminal classic Vacation, Hughes was about to revolutionize teen-geared filmmaking with his deep understanding of emotional roller coasters and accurate portrayal of the high school social structure.

What results is a spotty picture that experiences triumphant highs and... well, not lows per se, but a shocking disconnect with any shred of political correctness. Long Duk Dong is the worst of these offenses, of course, as a blush-inducingly ugly Asian stereotype, while a major plot point in the second act involves handing off a passed-out prom queen for not-so-subtly hinted sexual escapades. At the time this was made, I'm sure, these seemed perfectly acceptable choices for a teen comedy, but it's impossible to imagine most of it surviving the filters today.

But if we can forgive all that (or maybe just move on from it), Sixteen Candles remains an intrinsically charming (and often laugh-out-loud funny) film. Molly Ringwald is responsible for a great deal of that, at her blushing, grounded best, while Anthony Michael Hall deserves a nod for his work as her suave-as-he-thinks-he-is wannabe suitor. And I'd completely forgotten about several baby-faced cameos from John and Joan Cusack throughout the story. It spirals out of control at points, especially during the expansive, scattershot school dance, but regroups nicely in time for a touching, classically Hughsian finale. Matched, of course, with the perfect scene-setting new wave tune.

‘Sixteen Candles’ is a 1980s coming-of-age film by John Hughes that is both funny and charming. I think it’s a popular movie, and most people have probably seen it already. A newly turned 16-year-old girl named Samantha (played by 80s star Molly Ringwald) realizes nobody remembers her birthday. Her parents and grandparents forget while focused on preparing for her older sister’s wedding. The boy, Jake, who she has a crush on, doesn’t know she exists. He has a beautiful, popular girlfriend, who has no interest in him outside of using him to throw extravagant parties to get drunk at. Throughout her day, she goes through embarrassing but also funny moments that leave her frustrated.

I like Hughes' casting choices in ‘Sixteen Candles’, the soundtrack, pacing, and the feel it leaves you with. The acting is okay, but the characters are with you through their stories. Their issues are all relatable to everyone who was once a teenager or young adult, including self-confidence, romantic crushes, dreams that may never pan out, and maturity.

The 80s are known for their coming-of-age films, and director John Hughes is one reason why. His first break in Hollywood with ‘Sixteen Candles’ set the stage for his future career. He always had a way of making films that resonated with people of all ages. Such films become timeless for future generations because everyone goes through the journey of growing up with the emotions & accompanying issues. Hughes’ later films took such teen comedy dramas to another level.

Would I recommend this? Yes. While clichéd and doesn’t feel fresh, I think it’s a cool, humorous film worth watching at least once. John Cusack and his sister Joan also appeared in minor roles here. John Cusack, of course, goes on to star in ‘Say Anything’ and a side role in 'Stand by Me', both great 1980s coming-of-age films.

A true '80s classic. Not nearly as good as The Breakfast Club (1985), but still a must watch for anyone who loves comedy from that era.
Even though the plot here is very thin - to the extent that there has to be a B story, and a C story - there's still enough to hold it together. What this really showcases is Molly Ringwald - what a babe! She is our lead, Samantha, who just turned 16, and has a crush on a boy. Very simple plot, nevertheless it's funny and also touching at times.
Highly recommended to all fans of Hughes specifically or 1980s comedy in general.

Finally, I would be remiss to ignore what I dreaded seeing in the comments, and I was not disappointed. The carpal tunnel must be setting in early with all the pearl clutching going on here. What can even be said about people who get offended by movies or life, for that matter? Grow up? This is a work of fiction? Offense it taken and not given? What does it say about someone who not only takes offense, but does so on behalf of fictional characters? What can one say to an entire generation that doesn't understand the difference between reality and fiction? These are people who wouldn't know actual racism or sexism if it smashed them in the face. My hypothesis is that some people need drama in their life, and if there is none, they will create it.