Pretty in Pink (1986)
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A high school senior navigates the complexities of social cliques and romance in the 1980s.
The story
High school senior Andie Walsh lives in a Chicago suburb with her working-class father. Her best friend, Duckie, is in love with her but remains silent about his feelings. At school, they are bullied by the wealthy and popular crowd. Andie works at a local record store where she meets Iona. When Andie is invited to the senior prom, she is eventually asked out by Blane McDonnagh, a preppy boy from the popular crowd. The story follows Andie as she navigates her growing relationship with Blane while dealing with the pressures of her social environment and the dynamics of her friendship with Duckie.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Andie Walsh, a high school senior in a Chicago suburb, lives with her father, Jack. Her best friend, Duckie, loves her but hides it. They are bullied by the wealthy kids, specifically Steff and Benny. Andie works at a record store where she is encouraged by Iona to attend the prom. Blane McDonnh, a preppy boy, asks her out. After a series of dates and a party where she is mocked by the wealthy crowd, Andie and Blane share a kiss. However, Blane begins to distance himself due to pressure from his wealthy friends. When Andie confronts him, he lies about his intentions. After a confrontation where Steff insults her, Andie creates a pink dress from fabric provided by Iona and her father. At the prom, she reconciles with Duckie. Blane eventually confronts Steff, realizes his own growth, and tells Andie he always believed in her. The film ends with Andie and Blane reuniting and sharing a kiss in the parking lot.
- First release year
- 1986
- Runtime (minutes)
- 97
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Howard Deutch
- Writers
- John Hughes · writer
- Cast and characters
- Molly Ringwald · Andie Walsh; Harry Dean Stanton · Jack; Jon Cryer · Philip F. "Duckie" Dale; Annie Potts · Iona; James Spader · Steff McKee; Andrew McCarthy · Blane McDonnagh
- Genres
- romantic comedy drama; teen romantic comedy drama
- Themes
- social cliques; class conflict; adolescent insecurities
- Tone and mood
- heartwarming; sweet
- Premise and plot tags
- coming-of-age; high school; romance
- Source material / true-story basis
- A novel by H. B. Gilmour and Randi Reisfield.
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Ringwald's performance.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 75% · scale: percentage · review count: 117; Metacritic · score: 56 · scale: 100 · review count: 22; CinemaScore · score: B+ · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- The film was named after a song by the Psychedelic Furs.; The film was adapted into a novel by H. B. Gilmour and Randi Reisfield.; The film was originally intended to have a different ending where Andie and Duckie ended up together.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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