The Stories Stars Tell: Guest Blogger, Liam Quinn
Three John Hughes movies down, and one to go for this month’s theme. I asked Liam Quinn, a character from The Stories Stars Tell, to write his thoughts about 16 Candles. Liam asked me to front load this entry with the idea that he doesn’t HATE the movie even if his blog makes it seem that way; it’s just he needs to share from his conscience. Please don’t hate him for it (his words). Truthfully, I don’t think there’s anyway possible to hate Liam Quinn about regardless…
16 Candles & My Love-Hate Relationship with the Filmby Liam QuinnThe Someday-Lawyer in me wants to make a case for why 16 Candles is an awful movie. It is. Really. Why? Because it showcases all of the ways the white-male patriarchy has legitimized “Rape Culture.” Think that’s too bold a statement?
Allow me to submit my evidence:
Samantha’s brother raises his hand to his little sister who then screams, “Dad! Mike hit me!”
The conversation between Jake and his friend while doing fake pull ups in which they objectify a sixteen-year-old girl by her body and normalize her youth as desirable.
The Geek hitting on Samantha on the bus. How many ways does she have to say “No?”
The grandparents fondle Sam’s body!
The bet for floppy disks to have sex with a girl like she’s no more than an item to trade.
Women as a “side show” to the male narrative; the commodity to showing off her underpants.
Use of words like “fag” as insult.
Using the ONE person of color as a punchline in many of the jokes.
The “party girl” isn’t as desirable for the “IT” guy as the virginal, younger girl.
Jake saying about his passed out girlfriend, “I could violate her 10 different ways if I wanted to.”
Sending a drunk girl with a stranger and telling him to “have fun.”
The Geek taking pictures with a drunk girl without her consent and the insinuation of possibly having had sex without having given consent.
Here’s an article on how it connects to rape culture.
And this one might illuminate why people my age don’t quite get it.
Think I’m being too serious? How do you think these behaviors would go over in 2020? Many of these actions have major consequences when they occur. Seriously. But I also don’t mean to bash this movie. 16 Candles is loved by so many and is considered a classic. Whenever someone brings it up, the normal response is: I LOVE that movie. And I’m one (it’s a love-hate relationship). So, why is it we romanticize it?
Here’s what I discovered after a bit of research as well as examining my own thoughts about it:
Sam is relatable. Who hasn’t experienced the annoying family, turning 16 and feeling no different, or suffering through an unrequited crush. Her journey feels universal to the teen in many ways.
The relationship shift between family and friends is so much a part of the teenage experience. Of course all of us navigate this with Sam because we understand the ways our family doesn’t “get” us but our friends do.
Sam’s crush is a heart throb and Sam is adorable. Pretty people. Need I say more?
The Geek—Ted—and his puppy-dog adoration for Sam; who doesn’t want to be adored and pursued? (even if I’m not an advocate for Ted’s methods, his tenacity is commendable on some level).
Mr. Baker. Serious, this Dad is the origin of “Girl-Dad.”
Passing notes… texts? The desire to be independent from adult rules. In the 1980’s (according to my mom) they passed notes. Today, we send texts when we aren’t supposed to. It is what it is.
The cake scene. Even as unrealistic as it is, the idea is swoon worthy.
It was a movie FOR TEENS. I guess in the 1980’s (according to my parents) there weren’t a lot of movies for teens since a lot of the movies were comedies that pushed the boundaries and parents wouldn’t let their teens watch them. 16 Candles changed that, so there’s a nostalgia attached to it.
Could we say that this is the origin for all teen movies now?
Another couple of articles on the love for this movie. Here and here.
Why do you love (or hate) 16 Candles? Have I changed your mind? What movie would you like to see take its place? Did you noticed the nod in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (Netflix)?
Next Week: Ferris Bueller and Emma’s CrewCLWalters Blog RSS
April 2020
Apr 8, 2020
The Stories Stars Tell: Emma's Perfectionism
Apr 8, 2020
Apr 3, 2020
The Stories Stars Tell: Emma and Tanner Fall
Apr 3, 2020
March 2020
Mar 23, 2020
The Cantos Chronicles: The Letters
Mar 23, 2020
September 2019
Sep 7, 2019
Story Time Saturday: The Ugly Truth Exerpt
Sep 7, 2019
August 2019
Aug 21, 2019
In The Wait: Jack
Aug 21, 2019
July 2019
Jul 24, 2019
In the Wait: Matt
Jul 24, 2019
Jul 17, 2019
In the Wait: Carter
Jul 17, 2019
Jul 10, 2019
In the Wait : Sara
Jul 10, 2019
Jul 2, 2019
In the Wait - Companion to Swimming Sideways
Jul 2, 2019
March 2019
Mar 20, 2019
Whole
Mar 20, 2019
Mar 13, 2019
Write Your Truth
Mar 13, 2019
February 2019
Feb 27, 2019
Romantic Short Story: The Broken Sign
Feb 27, 2019
