Pretty in Pink
Pretty in Pink

Pretty in Pink

1986Movie97 minEnglish

Andie is an outcast, hanging out either with her older boss, who owns the record store where she works, or her quirky high school classmate Duckie, who has a crush on her. When one of the rich and popular kids at school, Blane, asks Andie out, it seems too good to be true. As Andie starts falling for Blane, she begins to realize that dating someone from a different social sphere is not easy.

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Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes76%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users84%
Director: Howard DeutchGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Andie Walsh, a vibrant working-class girl, falls for the wealthy and charming Blane McDonough, much to the chagrin of her best friend Duckie Dale, who harbors his own unrequited feelings for her. Andie navigates the social hierarchies of high school, facing jealousy from Blane's affluent peers and the pressure to conform to social expectations. The film culminates in a prom where Andie must make a difficult decision about love and self-acceptance.

Critical Reception

Pretty in Pink was a commercial success and has become a beloved cult classic, particularly noted for its quintessential 1980s teen angst and fashion. While some critics at the time found its plot predictable, many praised its heartfelt performances, especially Molly Ringwald's portrayal of Andie, and its honest depiction of adolescent romance and social class divides. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its relatable themes and iconic soundtrack.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic portrayal of teen life and Molly Ringwald's compelling performance.
  • Celebrated as a stylish and emotionally resonant coming-of-age story.
  • Criticized by some for its somewhat simplistic plot and predictable romantic entanglements.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciate "Pretty in Pink" for its charming characters, relatable high school drama, and nostalgic 80s vibe. Many viewers connect with Andie's journey and her relationships, often citing the film as a feel-good classic from their youth. However, some find the romantic resolutions to be somewhat formulaic.

Fun Fact

The original ending of the film had Andie choosing Duckie, but test screenings led John Hughes and Howard Deutch to reshoot the ending with Andie choosing Blane, which is the version released in theaters.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

The opening bars of the Psychedelic Furs' song are probably all that really lingers in the memory from this teenage romance; that and the cracking rendition of "Try a Little Tenderness" by the star of the film Jon Cryer's lovelorn "Duckie"....
JPV852

JPV852

Enjoyable enough teen rom-com from writer John Hughes, though, and this only after my first viewing, not a favorite of mine of his. Still, for the most part I liked the core cast and thought it had its moments. However, this is near the bot...
John Chard

John Chard

You're ashamed to go out with me. Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) is different to most kids at school. Being solely raised by her unemployed father, Jack (Harry Dean Stanton), and dressing in hand made clothes, she's very much from the wron...