Molly Ringwald, the actress who starred in the cult classic film “The Breakfast Club” has stated in a recent interview that some elements of the film haven’t “aged well.” Directed by John Hughes, the film is set to turn 40 years old next year. Ringwald, who played the character Claire alongside Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall, and Emilio Estevez, said in the interview with The Times, “There is a lot that I really love about the movie but there are elements that haven’t aged well-like Judd Nelson’s character, John Bender, who essentially sexually harasses my character.”
While the film was moderately progressive for its time, it is apparent that it contained some issues that are unacceptable by today’s standards. For example, while John and Claire share a kiss in the final moments of the movie, John continually talks to her about her virginity and briefly looks up her skirt.
Ringwald added that she only re-watched the film because her daughter Mathilda wanted to see it with her, and she doesn’t particularly enjoy watching herself on screen. The actress is pleased that society has evolved over time and that people can now acknowledge that the film is not perfect. “I’m glad we’re able to look at that and say things are truly different now,” she added.
Ally Sheedy, another cast member, had previously criticized the film’s elements, saying she never liked the scene where her character underwent a makeover to make her look more attractive. Sheedy also responded to an essay written by Ringwald in 2018 that examined the film in a contemporary context. “I think it’s a good thing to interrogate this stuff,” Sheedy said. “It’s a very good thing. And seeing which parts of it are still relevant or dated and how it speaks to some young people and not to others.”
In 2021, Anthony Michael Hall revealed in an interview that John Hughes had plans for a sequel to “The Breakfast Club.” Nevertheless, it is clear that the actors involved in the film still feel a sense of responsibility for the impact of the original movie and the conversations it started about societal issues
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