Revisiting Pretty in Pink

A few weeks ago, Pretty in Pink was on TV, and I watched it again. This is one I haven't seen since 1986, the year it came out… which was also the year I was a senior in high school, like the main characters, and going through things like parties, prom, impending graduation, and the combination thrill/fear of what comes next. And it was fascinating to watch and discover how Grown-Up Me felt about characters and situations compared to Young Me.[image error]

I identified with Molly Ringwald's Andie, a poor girl afraid to bring her new boyfriend home to see where she lives. I hated people to know that I grew up in a low income housing complex. The guy I liked at the time made it pretty clear that he had a problem with where I lived and judged me for it. And did I tell myself that the guy was a big jerk and I was lucky to stay away? No. I went off to college still pining for him. Stupid, stupid young me.[image error]

Most girls at the time were torn between Andie's two potential romantic partners: Blane, the sensitive rich guy, and Duckie(Phil), her best friend from childhood. I had a lot of friends who thought she should have ended up with Duckie, and I thought they were crazy at the time. Who wouldn't choose blue eyed Andrew McCarthy over pompadour-haired Jon Cryer?

But my man of choice from Pretty in Pink was… Steff. James Spader's cruel, taunting arrogant rich guy character who wanted to sleep with Andie just because he'd had everyone else and wanted a taste of something new. [image error]

Grown-Up Me was screaming at Young Me watching this over again. What on earth was wrong with Young Me? I think I had a thing for the bad boy, and like many women with a thing for the bad boy, thought he was probably only bad because he needed me to show him love and change him. Stupid, stupid Young Me. I have long since learned that bad boys are really just childish men. In fact, watching it again, I was suddenly pretty sure I would choose… Duckie. OMG. This one shocked me. Blane, let's face it, was no Steff, but he was a little judgy and said some really prickish things to Andie about her friends and her background.

The action was all leading to the big night: Prom. Andie didn't have a mom to help guide her, but she did have the completely cool, way out there, record store owner Iona, as played by a very likable Annie Potts. Iona, of course, helped Andie pull together the perfect prom dress. Young Me thought Andie was crazy to destroy a very fifties pink ballgown complete with a voluminous netted skirt to make this:

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And grown up me kind of agreed. Meh.

But of course, in the end, Prom solidified Andie's attachment to Blane, and they rode off into the Prom Sunset while Duckie… got over her quickly as soon as one of the hot cheerleader types looked his way. So… things were going to be right with the world after all. Nope. Young Me was somehow satisfied with this ending. Grown-Up Me said, "what about after prom? Will she keep seeing him? Where are they all going to college?" Duckie would no doubt keep in touch. Blane would be on to the next big college romance.

Young Me saw the theater in the movie with friends. Grown-Up Me had the pleasure of some young male insights. My son wouldn't watch the whole thing, but he kept coming into the room  for updates. "Whoa, that's the guy from Two and a Half Men." Nick was also in Duckie's corner. I think just because he wanted poor Alan to get some. Also, he mentioned how great it would have been had Charlie Sheen been cast as Blane instead of Andrew McCarthy. And I had to agree. Grown-Up Me had a good laugh imaging that. Young Me wouldn't have gotten the joke. [image error]

Have you had different opinions of movies watching them again? Is there a movie classic from your youth that you might see differently now? Do you remember Pretty in Pink? Were you Team Blane or Team Duckie? How about that prom gown?

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