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1. Bibliographic Information:
Tanen, N. and Hughes, J. (producers), John Hughes (director). (2003). The breakfast club. United States: Universal.
ASIN: B0000A98ZP
Original Release: 1985
Running Time: 1 hr 38 min
Rated R
2. Plot Summary:
Five students from Shermer High School in Shermer, Illinois, arrive at 7am on Saturday morning for their detention. Clare Standish is a spoiled teenager, popular and manipulates her fighting parents to get what she wants. John Bender is known at the high school for his criminal reputation, but is trying to deal with his abusive home life. Allison Reynolds is quiet and quirky trying to be noticed. Andrew Clark is a wrestler whose father determines what Andrew does in life. Lastly, Brian Johnson is a nerd, somewhat depressed and unsure about his future. These very different kids from different social standings both in high school and life are force together until 4 pm. None of them really know each other, and none of them really care to find out. Can these five students learn from each other and be friends, or have their stereotypes and adult prejudices tainted their opinions of each other?
3. Critical Evaluation
Made in 1985, The Breakfast Club should still be considered an influential high school comedy/drama. It is interesting to see how the issues brought up in this movie still seem fresh despite today’s changing society. While the movie’s costumes, music, and slang appear dated, modern themes such as prejudice, abuse, parents and authority figures, drugs, depression, and violence are still just as prevalent today as it was then. In fact, the movie embodies much of the elements that Cole states is prevalent in realistic fiction: imperfect characters, adolescent settings, atmosphere, language, and style. The Breakfast Club shows each student with their warts and all, showing their shortcomings and conceit, yet also showing a more vulnerable side. Additionally, the movie takes place in high school. The atmosphere is constantly changing, from boredom to volatile to respect, which is consistent with the language used. Although the language in this movie can be a bit dated, it does represent the type of language which most teens use. Profanity, slang, insults and contempt is often displayed by all of the characters in the movie. Lastly, style is another element of realistic fiction. The style of this film is interesting. In hindsight, this movie captures the style of teenagers; however, it is easy to get caught up in the fact that the clothes are dated. Nevertheless, I think that teenagers should still be able to connect with the characters, and its view on high school life as well as family life.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Five students are sent to Saturday school, each one from different backgrounds and cliques in high school. Can these students get past the stereotypes of prejudices or will they find that they have nothing in common?
5. Information about the Director:
John Hughes has been credited with revolutionizing movies about high school. Born in Lansing, Michigan in 1950, he directed 8 movies, and wrote 40 other films. His other popular titles include Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science and Sixteen Candles. He died of a heart attack in 2009.
6. Genre
Realistic Fiction
7. Curriculum Ties
N/A
8. Booktalking Ideas
-Do you think that this story is realistic in terms of how high school students are portrayed?
-Do you think that these students would have banded together if it were not for Principle Vernon?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
Due to the rating of this film I think that it would be more appropriate for 16 to 18 year olds, however, I could see teens at 15 still finding a connection with this film.
10. Challenge Issue
Since this film was rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for pervasive language, sexual references and some drug use. The characters do speak all sorts of offensive language and the sexual references focus on virginity and prostitution.
Therefore, I would advise parents to look at the rating system and its reasoning before letting their children watch it. If there was a challenge issue I would refer them to the American Library Association’s website:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
Tanen, N. and Hughes, J. (producers), John Hughes (director). (2003). The breakfast club. United States: Universal.
ASIN: B0000A98ZP
Original Release: 1985
Running Time: 1 hr 38 min
Rated R
2. Plot Summary:
Five students from Shermer High School in Shermer, Illinois, arrive at 7am on Saturday morning for their detention. Clare Standish is a spoiled teenager, popular and manipulates her fighting parents to get what she wants. John Bender is known at the high school for his criminal reputation, but is trying to deal with his abusive home life. Allison Reynolds is quiet and quirky trying to be noticed. Andrew Clark is a wrestler whose father determines what Andrew does in life. Lastly, Brian Johnson is a nerd, somewhat depressed and unsure about his future. These very different kids from different social standings both in high school and life are force together until 4 pm. None of them really know each other, and none of them really care to find out. Can these five students learn from each other and be friends, or have their stereotypes and adult prejudices tainted their opinions of each other?
3. Critical Evaluation
Made in 1985, The Breakfast Club should still be considered an influential high school comedy/drama. It is interesting to see how the issues brought up in this movie still seem fresh despite today’s changing society. While the movie’s costumes, music, and slang appear dated, modern themes such as prejudice, abuse, parents and authority figures, drugs, depression, and violence are still just as prevalent today as it was then. In fact, the movie embodies much of the elements that Cole states is prevalent in realistic fiction: imperfect characters, adolescent settings, atmosphere, language, and style. The Breakfast Club shows each student with their warts and all, showing their shortcomings and conceit, yet also showing a more vulnerable side. Additionally, the movie takes place in high school. The atmosphere is constantly changing, from boredom to volatile to respect, which is consistent with the language used. Although the language in this movie can be a bit dated, it does represent the type of language which most teens use. Profanity, slang, insults and contempt is often displayed by all of the characters in the movie. Lastly, style is another element of realistic fiction. The style of this film is interesting. In hindsight, this movie captures the style of teenagers; however, it is easy to get caught up in the fact that the clothes are dated. Nevertheless, I think that teenagers should still be able to connect with the characters, and its view on high school life as well as family life.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Five students are sent to Saturday school, each one from different backgrounds and cliques in high school. Can these students get past the stereotypes of prejudices or will they find that they have nothing in common?
5. Information about the Director:
John Hughes has been credited with revolutionizing movies about high school. Born in Lansing, Michigan in 1950, he directed 8 movies, and wrote 40 other films. His other popular titles include Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science and Sixteen Candles. He died of a heart attack in 2009.
6. Genre
Realistic Fiction
7. Curriculum Ties
N/A
8. Booktalking Ideas
-Do you think that this story is realistic in terms of how high school students are portrayed?
-Do you think that these students would have banded together if it were not for Principle Vernon?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
Due to the rating of this film I think that it would be more appropriate for 16 to 18 year olds, however, I could see teens at 15 still finding a connection with this film.
10. Challenge Issue
Since this film was rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for pervasive language, sexual references and some drug use. The characters do speak all sorts of offensive language and the sexual references focus on virginity and prostitution.
Therefore, I would advise parents to look at the rating system and its reasoning before letting their children watch it. If there was a challenge issue I would refer them to the American Library Association’s website:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it Selected?
My sister loved this movie growing up, and I remember watching it with her throughout her teen years.
12. Citation
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Cole, P. B. (2009). Young adult literature in the 21st century. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Internet Movie Database. (2010). John Hughes. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000455/
Internet Movie Database. (2010). John Hughes. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000455/
Picture from:
Internet Movie Database. (2010). The breakfast club. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088847/
13. Awards
No awards known.
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