Pretty In Pink (1986)

In her senior year of high school, a working class girl (Molly Ringwald) from the "wrong side of the tracks" and a preppy rich kid (Andrew McCarthy) are attracted to each other. But the class distinction as well as pressure from each of their friends threaten to derail the romance before it even begins. In the 1980s, screenwriter (and director) John Hughes had his pulse on the youth scene in America. He perfectly captured the angst of being an outsider in an increasingly formulaic structured society, high school as a microcosm of life itself. Still, as well crafted as they were, movies like SIXTEEN CANDLES, BREAKFAST CLUB, FERRIS BUELLER as well as PRETTY IN PINK often took the easy way out by the film's end rather than spoiling the fun by showing us that sometimes you just have to suck it up! McCarthy's preppy with his weak backbone isn't worthy of Ringwald yet she's given him as her prize. The one who she should end up with, Jon Cryer's "duckman" comes off as kind of creepy today so it's a no win situation. Still, there's no denying the perceptive charms of Hughes' script. Directed by Howard Deutch. With Harry Dean Stanton, James Spader, Annie Potts, Kate Vernon, Andrew Dice Clay, Gina Gershon and Kristy Swanson.