Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

The story itself is fairly predictable - the rich, good looking guy who's a manipulative jerk is going out with the school's hottest chick, while on the other side of the tracks, a loner works as a mechanic and hangs out with a tomboy who finds it hard to hide her feelings about him. It all plays out in a fairly realistic high school setting, as writer John Hughes explores teenage angst once again in a milieu he's come to be identified with. What's different about this story, and it's kind of refreshing, is that the teens aren't hopping in and out of bed with each other, and wind up going through some personal self analysis before they rearrange their relationships to ones that make sense. Watching this film some three decades after it's original release, and with all the emphasis in the current culture on equality between the sexes, it was somewhat jarring to hear egomaniac Hardy (Craig Sheffer) refer to Amanda (Lea Thompson) as his 'property'. I know there are guys who think like that but to actually hear him say it was more than enough to merit a trashing. I thought all the principal players did a fine job in their roles, with Mary Stuart Masterson particularly effective as the overlooked tomboy who's patience and integrity is rewarded in the end. One thing about the closing credits puzzled me, in as much as the would-be bully who turned out to be Keith Nelson's (Eric Stoltz) friend had the name of Duncan, but the name that appeared in the credits was 'Skinhead', and his pals were referred to as Skinhead's friends. I think it's the first time I've seen a corrected credit here on IMDb that doesn't reference the actor's character as it appeared in a movie's credited cast list.

This was the only John Hughes film from his 80s heyday that I had not seen back in the day. I remember seeing the previews for this and when Mary Stuart Masterson says, "The only things I care about in this goddamn life are me and my drums and you" I scoffed and wrote the film off. I shouldn't have because this was a very endearing and sincere teen drama. The film is a love triangle between working class Eric Stoltz, who is crushing on rich girl Lea Thompson, who's also best friends will fellow working class tomboy Mary Stuart Masterson, who is also crushing on Stoltz. What made this film more interesting than most is how the relationships play out. Thompson only agrees to go on a date with Stoltz as a way to get back at her jerk rich boyfriend, Craig Sheffer, who she just broke up with. None of Thompson's friends think she should go out with Stoltz, and all of the other kids, including Masterson, tell Stoltz she's only going out with him to get back at her ex-boyfriend. Thompson (SPOILER ALERT) never seems interested in Stoltz and I think that's where this film get a bit more interesting than most, taking a less obvious of standard love triangle. There is a bit of suspense whether Thompson will actually start to like Stoltz the way he likes her, but the main drama is whether Stoltz will realize that he should be with Masterson. I wasn't really sure how this film was going to play out, which is always good for a film. Hughes' "Pretty in Pink" has the rich boy casting aside the aspersions of his snooty friends to end up with the cute working class girl. That film's original script was supposed to have had a different ending, with Molly Ringwald ending up with Ducky, but that ending was re-shot after test audiences didn't it (Cryer was clearly playing Ducky as gay, so there was never really any real romantic tension there, so the change was the right choice). This film retains Pretty in Pink's original ending, which may have been the impetus for re-writing what is essentially the same class conflict love triangle. Another strength of this film is it's strong supporting cast, which includes the sadly underused John Ashton as Stoltz' gruff but understanding father and Elias Koteas looking very young as a punk rock bad boy who helps out Stoltz, which is a hoot to watch. And look for a very young Candace Cameron as one of Stoltz' younger sisters. Overall, when it comes to class warfare love triangles, this film is certainly not "A Place in the Sun" and although it is not as iconic as "Pretty in Pink," it does feature strong performances by the three leads, well rounded characters you believe and care about, and a very realistic and identifiable love story. All around, this is a solid 1980s teen drama that deserves to be remembered alongside "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink."

I'll be brief here.John Hughes (1950-2009) was on a roll with his insightful teen comedies during the 1980s, peaking in 1985 with "The Breakfast Club," which arguably remains his most famous work. Beginning with "Pretty in Pink" in 1986, Hughes was switching to primarily writing and producing duties, and letting others direct his scripts. The next film that Hughes did this with was 1987's "Some Kind of Wonderful," which reunites him with "Pink" director Howard Deutch. "Some Kind of Wonderful" surrounds three high-schoolers - Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz), an aspiring artist and gas station mechanic; his best friend Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson), a tomboy and wannabe punk rock drummer; and Amanda Jones ("Back to the Future" Lea Thompson), the most popular and beautiful girl in school who also happens to be from the wrong side of the tracks - just like they are. Keith impulsively asks Amanda out on a date, which shocks their respective groups of friends and family, and Keith becomes a target of Amanda's spoiled rich-boy ex-boyfriend Hardy Jenns (Craig Sheffer). As Keith prepares to go out with Amanda, it soon starts to take a toll on his friendship with Watts - for reasons that aren't exactly clear at first, but become more apparent as time goes on. As many reviewers have commented before, "Some Kind of Wonderful" is about what's going on under the surface, and how we can be blind to true love especially when it's staring right at us. As is the case with Watts - and to quote another reviewer somewhere around here - when she realizes how serious Keith is about Amanda, she puts herself "in the line of fire," in spite of her protests and the fact that she appears to be the only person who really cares about Keith and his feelings. Some may be surprised about this film's conclusion, and its relationships, and how it appears to be the reverse of what we saw in "Pretty in Pink." "Some Kind of Wonderful" isn't exactly one of John Hughes's best works, but it has plenty of feelings, humor, and raw emotional honesty - all of which are hallmarks of Hughes's best works. Sometimes, that's all that's really needed in a film like this.7/10

This film was a sleeper from the 80s that didn't get enough recognition. What makes this film so great is the combination of non-glossy actors, perfectly timed non-mainstream rock/pop music, and a grittiness that wasn't often seen in 80s romance teen films. Eric Stoltz portrays an A-typical male lead role, Keith, who was more cerebral than heartthrob. Mary Stuart Masterson stole the entire film with her brilliant portrayal of the tough, Tomboy best friend, Watts, who is actually very vulnerable and loving. Elias Koteas is particularly great as the juvenile delinquent who makes the end of the movie absolutely epic! I have to say that the music is just brilliantly done in this film, enhancing and complementing every single scene and eliciting the appropriate mood. Lastly, this film boasts what I believe to be the VERY BEST ON-SCREEN KISS EVER! Never before have I seen a more complex kiss; it manages to be awkward, romantic, and arousing all at the same time.