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Molly Ringwald, Harry Dean Stanton, Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy, Annie Potts ... see more see more... , James Spader , Jim Haynie , Alexa Kenin , Kate Vernon , Bruno , Andrew Dice Clay , Margaret Colin , Rock Deadrick , Gina Gershon , Bader Howar , Christian Jacobs , Emily Longstreth , Melanie Manos , Maggie Roswell , Kristy Swanson , D. Kevin Williams , Terry Wilson , Dweezil Zappa , Jimmer Podrasky , Jamison Anders , Tommy Blatnik , Jeffrey Hollie , Audre Johnson , Karen Laine , Kevin D. Lindsay , David Sutton , Timothy J. , Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

John Hughes crafts an exemplary '80s Brat Pack romance out of the standard Cinderella story in Pretty in Pink. Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) is a teenager who lives in the dingy part of town with her t... read more read more...erminally underemployed dad (Harry Dean Stanton). She works at a record store with eccentric Ionia (Annie Potts) and is considered a misfit at her uppity high school, but somehow she rises above them all. Her oddball best friend, Duckie (Jon Cryer), is hopelessly in love with her, so he causes trouble for her romantic pursuits. When local rich kid Blaine (Andrew McCarthy) develops a fascination with her, they go out on a date together. Visiting the home bases of each social clique, they are basically ridiculed for their audacity to date one another. When Blaine eventually asks the delighted Andie to the prom, he is threatened by his rich friend Steff (James Spader). The romance versus high school social politics finally culminates at the big night of the prom. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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81% liked it

192,312 ratings

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81% liked it

31 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Howard Deutch

Release Date: February 28, 1986

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DVD Release Date: August 20, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (11,255)

  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    May 9, 2012
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Blane's a pretty cool guy. Andie's pretty in pink. And Ducky's pretty crazy.

    Very good movie! I love the 80's! Pretty in Pink is one of several John Hughes movies that I'm just getting around to seeing for the first time, and it's a good one. The title had me a little wary that ... read morethis was going go be way too "girly" for my taste, but that wasn't the case at all. Molly Ringwald was very good. Andrew McCarthy and Jon Cryer seemed to feel their part more than the rest of the cast. But James Spader was such a realistic jerk, you want to get up and punch his face in. Pretty In Pink epitomizes everything that made the 80's a great time for teen flicks. Secret loves, proms, a great soundtrack and John Hughes. Definitely give this a try. It is like the Breakfast Club crossed with Romeo and Juliet crossed with offbeat pop culture. Just excellent.

    Young Andie is one of the not-so-popular girls in high school. She usually hangs out with her friends Iona or Duckie. Duckie has always had a crush on her, but now she has met a new guy from school, Blane. He's one of the rich and popular guys but can the two worlds meet?
  • DreamExtractor
    March 29, 2012
    DreamExtractor
    Pretty in Pink is a good teen drama about wealth, poverty, and love. John Hughes wrote this movie and he does it with only the pure teen knowledge that made masterpieces like Ferris Beuller and The Breakfast Club so perfect. The plot takes in a lot of themes that connect about ... read morepoluarity and image in high school, and it really got me thinking and I enjoyed it. Molly Ringwald really did do a good performance, but nothing i have not seen from her before in other Hughes films. Jon Cryer is the true star of the film as I found him to be the funniest, most touching, and best actor in the film. The ending is not how it should have been I think however, I believe she should have ended up with her friend Duckie instead as he had loved her a long time before Blane did. But hey no reason to cry over spilled milk, and anyway this film is a must see espically for fans of Hughes work.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    September 1, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    I am actually surprised with Pretty in Pink. I felt that it was not your average Romance film, and that John Hugh's effective and intelligent script treats the material at hand very well, without making the romantic elements cheesy or cringe worthy. Pretty in Pink has a terrific ... read morecast of actors that all deliver great performances. The film shows two different classes of people and those classes that clash when two teens from either side slowly fall for one another. I really thought that Pretty in Pink was a terrific film and did not overdo the romantic elements, they blended comedy into its story as well, and it didn't overshadow anything. Most love stories tend to overdo it, and they fail miserably at making it look believable, but this film is believable and it succeeds at being entertaining. The film has a wonderful story and is far better than most romance films because the chemistry between all the characters is believable. If you're looking for a different type of romance film, then this is a film that might surprise you. A well acted, and believable story makes this film worth watching. Not your typical love story and what's great is they don't overdo anything.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    Another great 80's film from John Hughes! A must see!
  • movieguru12
    May 31, 2011
    movieguru12
    Awesome movie about how a girl from the wrong side of town falls in love from a guy from a clique that doesn't accept her but they end up together at prom. This movie has great music and is an 80s classic!!! :) I love it but really wish she would've ended up with Duckie :) But i... read moret was still a good movie :) :) :)
  • cosmo313
    May 18, 2011
    cosmo313
    So I've finally gotten around to watching another entry in the Brat Pack Canon. I had kind of been no looking forward to this one as much of the others becuase I had gotte nthe vibe that this one wasn't as good because Hughes didn't direct it.

    And while yes, Howard Deutch is no ... read moreJohn Hughes, the film isn't that bad, and he does a good job. At least Hughes stuck around to write the thing, that certainly helps. The basic story behind this one is ancient: poor girl meets rich boy, they try to have a relationship, and their respective social classes give them grief for it.

    However, I liked the way it was all handled. I didn't realize that this film would be a bit more dramatic and serious. I mean, The Breakfast Club has some very deep and serious moments, but it's also got a good amount of levity. This does too, but there's still a pervasive sense of seriousness. The thing I liked about this and the other brat pack movies (the ones with Hughes's involvement) is how well that they capture youth and growing up. Hughes really got it and his films, despite some lapses into fantasy andescapism now and then, still hold up really well because of their insights and portrayals of how painful life can be at a certain age.

    Molly is great, as always, and I really liked the oversized glasses she sports in a few scenes. That's actually one bit of fashion that I didn't find revolting unless treated like kitsch. Jon Cryer is also really good, but he's also given a rather thankless part to play. McCarthy is okay, but not great, and Spader, while good, looks a bit too old to be in high school, so his presence adds some creepiness that is a bit to uncomfortable at times. Stanton is decent if slightly underused, and Annie Potts, for me, was a real treat to watch. The quick appearances by Gina Gershon, Andrew Dice Clay, Kristy Swanson, and Dweezil Zappa all made me really happy.

    Given my initial hesitation with wanting to see this one, I'm happy to say that it all came out better than I had expected. It's not as strong as the other films, but this doesn't mean it's the end of the world, either. Give it a watch. You might end up feeling the same way.
  • romy861
    March 6, 2011
    romy861
    I have put off watching this one for about two years now, because I knew I would be compelled to review it, and honestly I didn't know how I could possibly write a review that would do my all time favourite movie justice. This is a movie I have loved since I was 12 years old an... read mored could not even tell you how many times I have watched it over the years. Put it like this, I have watched it so many times, I know what they are going to say word for word before it is said.
    Put simply, this is the ultimate 80's teen movie. If it ever gets remade, I will projectile vomit. There is just no way they could ever find actors who are as perfect for the roles as they have here.
    The story is pretty simple - it follows Andie (Molly Ringwald) who is from the wrong side of the tracks and lives with her unemployed father, her mother having left them when she was 14. There is a part of me who still wants to be Andie and can identify with her. To this day she still looks great in her op shop fashions.
    Andie has a best friend, Duckie (Jon Cryer) who is really cute and quirky and totally in love with her, but though she loves him as a friend, it is rich Blane (Andrew McCarthy) that she pines for. When it seems that Blane returns her affections, the problems really start. Duckie is devastated and Blane's rich friends won't accept her.
    There is not a whole lot more to the story, but it really works well. The characters are so relatable, the supporting cast is just excellent. Annie Potts as Andie's boss at the record store she works at part time after school, James Spader as Steff (love to hate him), the bitchy girls and Andie's best friend Jena (Alexa Kenin). Also the cameo at the end by a very young Kristy Swanson (how much did I love that implied ending for Duckie!).
    I love the clothes, the soundtrack is perfect. The only thing that has changed for me over the years is that I used to really wish that Duckie would get the girl, but over time I have gotten to like Blane and can see why they wrote the ending the way they did. The end scene is very romantic, even to a cynic like me!
  • ajv2688
    January 23, 2011
    ajv2688
    Sure, there's a predictable romance story in this movie, but it's got such style, so many great actors, great music, and it's an 80s classic from Hughes, so don't miss it.
  • ythelastman89
    September 29, 2010
    ythelastman89
    While it's taken some time, this really is a great movie with a good message about social status. It appears to be a light teen drama on the surface, but it really deals with some powerful issues about love, trust and social values. Molly Ringwald really does personify the 80s te... read moreenage girl, working in a record store and having to worry about money and reputation. Andrew McCarthy really is the true knight in shining armor, he's a genuinely good person who doesn't care about money, only love. Now John Cryer's Duckie is annoying beyond belief, but I feel that it was for a purpose. He represents every geek who thought they deserved something without having to work for it. I think it's James Spader who totally steals every scene he's in, probably one of the greatest 80s characters every created. He's never in class, throws parties and is a ladies man. Given the proper lens, this really is a great movie that gets misunderstood as a John Hughes comedy.
  • lewiskendell
    September 5, 2010
    lewiskendell
    "What, you and me? Well, you know, maybe it doesn't happen all the time, but it doesn't mean it isn't right. Right? Doesn't mean you can't try."

    Pretty in Pink is one of several John Hughes movies that I'm just getting around to seeing for the first time, and it's a good one.  T... read morehe title had me a little wary that this was going to be way too "girly" for my taste, but that wasn't the case at all. Guys, don't be afraid to check this out.   

    What starts out as what seems to be just another 80's boy meets girl kind of movie, ends up being a pretty smart flick about class, family issues, self-worth, and that gauntlet/mine field known as high school. Pretty in Pink is more serious than funny, and has the kind of relatable and likeable characters that these kinds of movies need to be successful. I liked the cast, liked the story, and just enjoyed the whole thing, overall. You don't have to have been a teenager in the 80's (though I'm sure it helps) for this to be a worthwhile movie. And it certainly doesn't hurt to be reminded how silly it is to judge people we don't know by superficial things, including how much (or how little) money they have. Recommended.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
July 18, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Pretty in Pink is a rather intelligent (if not terribly original) look at adolescent insecurities. Full Review

Dave Kehr
July 18, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

This is like every other Hughes film, just a little shoddier. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Miss Ringwald's pouty naturalness remains her biggest asset, and her performance is once again appealing. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Although it is not a great movie, it contains some moments when the audience is likely to think, yes, being 16 was exactly like that. Full Review

Tim Brayton
October 5, 2011
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

A grubby and even nasty movie in its understanding of class structure, of culture and counter-culture and the ways that teenagers can destroy one another over the subtle distinctions therein. Full Review

John J. Puccio
August 12, 2008
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

Pretty in Pink is clichéd, stereotyped, remarkably sentimental, and sweet as all get-out. Full Review

July 18, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

While the script contains trite and unbelievable dialogue, the superbly convincing performances make up for these faults. Full Review

Douglas Pratt
June 15, 2007
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

Molly Ringwald is appealing, but the film has little else going for it.

David Nusair
October 6, 2006
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...even the notoriously reshot conclusion comes off as genuinely sweet and touching... Full Review

Chris Barsanti
September 21, 2006
Chris Barsanti, ToxicUniverse.com

It is perhaps too much to ask that a John Hughes film bear the standard for class warfare in the 1980s, especially when the film was so tone-deaf in depicting its subculture's milieu. Full Review

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    • Phil "Duckie" Dale: I could work out a deal where one or both of you could be pregnant by the holidays. What do you say?
    • Iona: Andie. Listen, hon. It's after seven o-clock. Don't waste that lip gloss!
  • Molly Ringwald was the only leading actor of high school age at the time of filming (18); Jon Cryer was 21, Andrew McCarthy was 23 and James Spader was 26.
  • Molly Ringwald was dating Dweezil Zappa ("Simon," the guy from the club) during and after filming.
  • Alexa Kenin (Jena, Andie's friend) died in New York soon after filming. At the time the Pretty in Pink cast was told that she died from asthma complications, but she was actually murdered by an ex-boyfriend. Pretty in Pink is dedicated to her.
  • He's good. She's good. He's just Duckie.
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Pretty in Pink Trivia

  • In which movie does the heroine's friend ask, "Did he have strong lips?"  Answer »
  • Iona (annie potts) says to Andy (molly ringwald)...."Hes not going to ride his bike past your house anymore.." in which flick?  Answer »
  • What is Rustys ringtone in Oceans Twelve?  Answer »
  • which movie did andrew mccarthy and molly ringwald fall in love?  Answer »
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