Explore how a film of your choice might be considered “paracinematic” (Sconce, 1995).

The Breakfast Club (Hughes, 1985) is an iconic coming of age 80’s film, John Hughes was a director that was able to define a generation. The film became a success globally. The film may be considered paracinematic due its cultural significance, Hughes has been able to sustain a relatable storyline more than 30 years on. Paracinematic films are often low budget (Melnyk, 2004, pg. 184). The film was primarily filmed on one location, thus having a low budget of $1 million. I will be investigating the narrative, characters and soundtrack. As these aspects of the film are what I think contributes towards the fact it’s been able to gain a cult following.

The storyline focuses on five teenagers who have been put into detention on a Saturday. Each one being characteristically different, the athlete, the brain, the princess, the criminal and the basket case. The character’s profiles are still relevant today, the same characters can be seen in today’s society. Each one of them are stereotyped, we see them discussing the stereotypes amongst themselves. For example, John refers to Claire as ‘pristine’ and predicts her future has a suburban housewife, she refuses to accept this image of her and he questions if she is still a virgin. Slut shaming is still a part of today’s society. Sconce (Sconce, 1995, pg. 374) discusses how paracinematic audiences are attracted to films that do not appeal to the status quo. In the getting to know each other scene we see the characters open up. They begin to realise they have something in common, they all do not get along with their parents. Young adults from all generations still struggle with the same issues, their identity, depression and expectations. Melnyk argues cult films form an audience “who value the films’ eccentric representation of reality” (Melnyk, 2004, pg. 184). This realistic representation of young adults encouraged the films cult following, paracinematic films often target subcultures in society (Melnyk, 2004, pg. 184).

The actors in the film built up a reputation, they were known as the brat pack. They became recognisable in any John Hughes film and would feature together as a group. Even outside the films they were photographed together. They became the ‘it’ social group to be a part of, teenagers envied them, thus meaning the group themselves formed a cult following (Birchall, 2004, pg. 2).

The narrative ends with the characters forming friendships with people they thought they never would. The audience are left wanting more, do the characters go back to norm on Monday morning? Melnyk (Melnyk, 2004, pg. 184) discusses how audiences are often more likely to rewatch a film that left an imprint on them. The film begins with a David Bowie quote, the quote suggests young adults are often misunderstood in society and need to be credited more. The film ends with the iconic scene of John fist pumping in the air to the song ‘Don’t you forget about me’. It suggests the generation were worried about being forgotten about, they don’t want to be like their parents living average lives. The film culturally was important for the generation.

Bibliography:

Melnyk, G. (2004). One hundred years of Canadian cinema. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Sconce, J. (1995) ‘Trashing the Academy: Taste, Excess and an Emerging Politics of Cinematic Style’. In Screen 36(4), pp371-393.

Birchall, C. (2004). ‘Feels Like Home’: Dawson’s Creek, Nostalgia, and the Young Adult Viewer.