"Pretty in Pink" is a classic movie from the '80s that everyone just has to love. Any movie with the gorgeous teenage Molly Ringwald is a must see. While I admit that I did not appreciate this movie so much the first time I saw it, after rewatching it I realized why everyone needs to see it and appreciate it for how awesome it is. Here are my reasons why:
1. The fashion
This one is easy. I think that every girl wishes she was in high school in the eighties because of the amazing style. Andie's clothes in this movie are fun and original, and the fact that she made them herself is even more impressive. Also, shoutout to Iona and her crazy and wonderful hair styles.
2. The casting of Jon Cryer
While I think that every actor in this movie did a great job, Jon Cryer has to be my favorite. Duckie is absolutely adorable and I will forever be in love with him.
3. It deals with the problem of money
While my high school was not quite as divided by money as Andie's was, I know what it's like to feel less-than because of how much money I have. This shouldn't be something that young people worry about, but unfortunately it often is. It can be an uncomfortable thing to talk about, but sometimes it is important to address.
4. Blane stands up for Andie
Blane does have a moment in the movie where he becomes unsure, and that is understandable. But for the most part, he is willing to stand up to his friends when they treat Andie like trash. He calls them out when they're being rude, and ends his friendship with Steff because of how he acted about Andie. It's important to portray men like this in movies to show young girls that they shouldn't settle for anything less.
5. They fight the status quo
Blane and Andie realize that they come from different groups, and trying to be together could be complicated. They don't let this stop them, though, and they work through their fear and the pressure from their friends. Love conquers all!
6. There's a single dad
It is common to see single moms in movies, but single dads are more rare. This is something that does happen in real life, and it's awesome when movies acknowledge this. While Andie's dad may not be the best dad in the world, he's raising a teenage girl by himself which would be difficult for anyone.
7. It subtly addresses mental health
Throughout the movie we see that Andie's dad struggles with day-to-day tasks such as getting out of bed and looking for a job. We later learn that this is because he is still grieving his relationship with Andie's mother. While the movie never outright mentions the word depression, I think we can safely assume this is what he is dealing with, and I think that John Hughes deserves props for this.
8. Andie's maturity
While Andie's dad is having a rough time motivating himself, Andie picks up the slack. She gets him up every morning, pushes him to find a job, and essentially helps him remain a functioning human being. Not only this, but she's incredibly insightful and helps him confront the fact that his wife is not coming back. Andie is amazing, which leads me to my next points...
9. She stays true to herself
It can be very tempting to want to change oneself for a significant other. It's not always easy to stay true to yourself, and Andie does this without any struggle. She knows who she is and she's not going to apologize for it.
10. She's not afraid to tell the truth
Andie has no fear. She says what she thinks and how she feels, and I envy her for this. She's also not afraid to tell someone off for being a jerk. Do your thing, girl.
11. She doesn't owe anyone anything
Andie doesn't feel that she owes anyone anything, specifically Duckie. While I absolutely love Duckie, he has his asshole moments. He felt that Andie owed him something because of the fact that he had always been there for her. Andie didn't love him, though, and she didn't feel that she needed to force herself into a relationship that she didn't want just because Duckie treated her nicely. She stuck to her guns and went for the guy she actually liked.
12. She's strong
My favorite line from the whole movie is when Andie says "I just want to let them know that they didn't break me." Had I been treated the way she was, I would probably stay home from the prom and cry into a pint of ice cream. But she was determined to enjoy her prom and let everyone know that she's more than what people think of her.
13. The ending is amazing
Some people argue that Andie should have ended up with Duckie, and I'll admit that I secretly wanted that too. I think it's really important, though, that she ended up with Blane. It shows that people can end up together regardless of their background. It would definitely be sending the wrong message to teens if Andie and Blane let money and social pressure stand in the way of them being together. It's also amazing how everyone was able to get over their pride. Blane realized he messed up and was man enough to apologize. Andie could've easily stayed angry, but she forgave him which is often the more difficult thing to do. And best of all, Duckie was able to be happy for her. Nobody let their pride stand in the way of getting their happy ending.
Pretty in Pink manages to be a typical cutesy 80's movie for teens while also incorporating important themes and messages. Andie is a great female role model and I aspire to be more like her. It's no wonder this movie is a classic!
