The Breakfast Club (Movie)

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club, directed by John Hughes. Universal Studios, 1985, 97 minutes. Rated R. ASIN: B001AEF6BI

 

Summary

Claire, Andrew, Brian, Allison, and Bender are all facing a Saturday in detention.  None of the teens consider the others to be their friends, as they are all parts of different social circles—Claire is popular, Andrew is a jock, Brian is a nerd, Allison is a loner, and Bender is a juvenile delinquent.  They are forced to spend the entire day without studying, sleeping, or talking, and they’re also given the assignment to write a 1000 word essay on “Who they think they are.”

After the assistant principle leaves, the teens quickly start to get on each other’s nerves.   Jokes and teasing about their social standing fly and  everyone starts to get more agitated.   As the hours go by and the teens get more and more annoyed with each other, they slowly start opening up. As they discuss their dysfunctional relationships with their parents, their deepest secrets, and who they are outside of their social circles, the group realizes that they’re not so different from each other after all.

Critical Evaluation

Considered to be a teen classic and one of Hugh’s most popular films, the Breakfast Club stands out for its heart and humor.  While only two of the main actors were actually teens at the time of filming, the entire cast does a nice job in their roles as complex, emotional teens.  There is a nice mix of humor and more serious topics throughout the movie.

The movie’s main message of not judging a book by its cover is an important one. It’s easy for both the characters and the audience to quickly dismiss Claire as shallow or Bender to be a bully. As the teens reveal more of who they are, their family history, and their own personal secrets, the audience is reminded that teens are much more then what they appear to be at first glance.  Viewing other people as humans and not one dimensional characters is an important reminder for both the adult and teen audience.

  While the movie is rated R, the challenge issues aren’t too graphic to completely dismiss the movie.  Between the outstanding acting, humor, and heartfelt message of coming together, The Breakfast Club is an excellent movie for today’s teens to discover.

Reader’s Annotation

During a Saturday detention session, five teens from different social circles realize they have more in common then they think.

About the Director

“Film director and screenwriter John Hughes directed a string of hit teen films, including Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. In 1984 John Hughes made his directorial debut with the film, Sixteen Candles. The film led to a multiple-picture contract with Paramount, as well as the creation of his own production house. He continued to create a string of films set in or around high school, including The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, all of which boosted the careers of new actors.”

(John Hughes, biography. Retrieved October 30^th, 2014 from http://www.biography.com/people/john-hughes-476258#synopsis)

Genres

Movies

Comedy

Classics

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age

15+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

Drug-related scenes

Language

Sex-related dialogue and jokes

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included the Breakfast Club for its humor and important message of not judging people by first glance. It’s also a teen classic and a favorite with our teen and adult patrons.