Sunday 18 March 2012

When I was your age, we had school 6 days a week: "The Breakfast Club"

Alright, for this entry I'm going back to the 80s, to a movie that has been loved by teenagers for almost 30 years! I'm talking about the crowing jewel of the '80s High School Movies,' and one of the most famous Brat Pack movies. Of course, I'm talking about "The Breakfast Club"



The Movie
For those who haven't seen this movie, it essentially is about 5 teenagers, all from very different (and stereotypical) cliques, forced to come to detention on a Saturday. Forced to stay in the library all day, pondering the err in their ways, they get to know each other and temporarily break through the barriers of high school prejudice. All the kids bare their souls, and almost every teenager can relate to at least one character in this film, therefore making it one of the most beloved 80s movies to this day. 

What Doesn't Make Sense
John Bender, bad-ass criminal who gets all the wrath of the school principal, is locked in a closest because he was caught outside the library. First of all, this is so illegal I don't even know where to start! Even in the 80s, I think this could be termed as detaining someone against their will, or even kidnapping! Not to mention the principal invites Bender to hit him in the face, then tells him that once he's finished high school, he's going to kick Bender's ass! But that's not even the least realistic part about this part of the film. 


In this scene, Bender is escaping from the closet he was locked in, trying to rejoin his fellow prisoners in the library by climbing through the ceiling. Of course, he does fall through eventually, but what bothers me is that he should have fallen through right away! Those ceiling tiles can barely hold 20 pounds, let alone a teen-aged boy! Don't believe me? Next time you're bored and sitting in an office, take down one of those ceiling tiles and put a brick or two on top of another. Then go get a broom to clean up the mess. Believe me, my first year in university, I lived in a residence with these tiles in the hallways. They don't withstand much, including high-kicks, head-butts, and falcon punches. 

Also, just as a little aside, I think that the entire idea of forcing teens to come in on a Saturday for detention is highly unlikely. You can have students voluntarily come in to the school on the weekend (sports games, rehearsals, etc.), but I don't think you can force students to come in on the weekend. My main suspicious is that I don't think the school board would insure these kids, so therefore, if when John Bender fell, he broke his leg, then the school board could be held liable. 

Just saying.

Until next time!

3 comments:

  1. I know it's not realistic, but this is still one of my all-time favourites.
    I always wondered if detention on a Saturday could actually exist.

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  2. I agree with Claire. Regardless, this movie rocks.

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  3. If movies and books are any indication, teacher could pretty much do and say what they wanted to/with students until about ten years ago. 'Dangerous Minds,' 'Substitute', 'To Sir With Love' anyone? Even in 'Bridge to Terabithia' the teacher essentially abducts a small boy for a romantic afternoon.

    That aside, I think we can take it for granted that most John Hughes' movies would never happen, except for 16 Candles, which is a beautiful testament to the human spirit.

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