Thursday, August 6, 2009

Rest In Peace John Hughes.

I can pinpoint the moment that I became a junk store junkie.

It was while watching Pretty in Pink starring Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy.

http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/images/cd/large/Pretty_in_Pink_SP5113.jpg

Andie had the most awesome crazy sense of style. Any scene that involved her clothes had me enthralled. She made used clothes cool, could take a few mismatched pieces and create an outfit that made the mall girls look pathetic. I started going to thrift stores after watching this movie and even wore an old 1950's prom dress to my Junior Ring Dance.

I wanted to be Andie.

I wanted to be her and run off with Ducky while the Psychedelic Furs played in the background.

I grew up in New Jersey and felt so out of place all the time. The high school I went to was very status conscious and while my family certainly wasn't poor, they were originally from New Hampshire which meant that they had a strong sense of yankee thrift. My clothes were never the right brand, my hair wasn't big and I liked weird music. I was a misfit, at least in my own head.

And then John Hughes wrote this character. I felt like he was peeking into my life. It was his gift to create teenage characters who were as awkward and miserable as real teenagers. Even better, he turned the misfits into the cool kids and his characters made me feel visible, relevant and well, cool.

He died today at the age of 59.

Thank you John, for telling the truth, showing us love and making us laugh.

5 comments:

Lisa said...

I knew his name was familar. It's so sad when people die young! Thanks for your sweet post!
Hugs, Lisa

Pom Pom said...

Sad. Your association is a sweet tribute. I love movies where the different kids thrive - like Juno. I've watched it so many times because I love her strong sense of self.
Guess what? THE CHOCOLATES CAME! They were all dolled up in a fancy cooler box with their own special icy bags! They are an elegant gift and I shared them with my daughter and her family because they stayed for dinner. Birdie had a raspberry chocolate and like a good February baby - LOVED it! Of course, I only gave them one each because they are mine, all mine. Thank you, sweet Sara! I love Shiny Red Houses!

Valerie said...

Sara,
You said it better than I ever could have. I lived in a doctor/lawyer school district and I was raised in the country, with love and respect for others....my kids go to the same school now. My 15(almost 16) yr old will be homeschooled this year. She is Andie without the attitude. I can't help her find her groove. Maybe the last day of summer we will curl up and watch pretty in pink....
Thank you for such a nice tribute.
Valerie

Unknown said...

Pretty in Pink has always been my favorite Hughes film as well. Immediately after seeing that movie (did we possibly see it together at the Abby Cinema?) I remember asking my Dad for his unwanted suit vests to wear with my fake pearls and jeans to school.

Ginger said...

I don't think I've ever seen the movie. But I like your post about it and fitting in (or not fitting in).