Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

Director:

Howard Deutch

Writer:

John Hughes (written by)

Release Date:

27 February 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Before they could stand together, they had to stand alone.

Plot:

A young tomboy, Watts, finds her feelings for her best friend, Keith, run deeper than just friendship...

Plot Keywords:

School | Tomboy | Boyfriend | Best Friends | School Life

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Eric Stoltz	...	Keith Nelson
Mary Stuart Masterson	...	Watts
Lea Thompson	...	Amanda Jones
Craig Sheffer	...	Hardy Jenns
John Ashton	...	Cliff Nelson
Elias Koteas	...	Skinhead
Molly Hagan	...	Shayne
Maddie Corman	...	Laura Nelson
Jane Elliot	...	Carol Nelson
Candace Cameron Bure	...	Cindy Nelson (as Candace Cameron)
Chynna Phillips	...	Mia
Scott Coffey	...	Ray
Carmine Caridi	...	Museum Guard
Lee Garlington	...	Gym Instructor
Laura Leigh Hughes	...	Holly

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Canada:PG | Finland:K-8 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:7 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Bowl - 2301 N. Highland Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Hughes Entertainment

Trivia:

Maddie Corman, like Elias Koteas, was discovered by John Hughes in New York and also suggested she'd be cast in this film.

Goofs:

Continuity: The position of the orange bag and the blue bag which Amanda Jones puts in her gym locker when confronted by Hardy Jenns.

Quotes:

Watts: It's better to swallow pride than blood.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Strongbad_email.exe (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Miss Amanda Jones

Excellent teen love story

It's refreshing to have a movie about teens in love that doesn't rely upon sex to gain the viewer's interest. I love this movie, have probably seen it a a few dozen times, especially in the original, unedited version (that wasn't shortened to fit into a two-hour TV time-slot). It's a classic story, but told from a timeless perspective---the movie first ran in 1987, yet there's extremely little in it that would make it seem "dated."

Mary Stuart Masterson is, as always, superb in her performance. While this is one of her early films, it shows her enormous ability and potential. She plays a playful, feisty, street-smart character that also has a sensitive, shy, and deeply loving side. Mary Stuart's kissing scene is one of the most wonderfully romantic and intense kissing scenes on film that I've seen, yet it has an innocent quality that makes it all the more special.

Eric Stoltz and Lea Thompson give excellent performances as well, with good acting and both are able to highlight dialogue with subtle nuances. However, I feel that Mary Stuart's character is the most interesting and emotionally sensitive, enough that she'll bring tears to your eyes. This is an excellent film. It came out at a time when there were a lot of teen movies (Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, etc.), but this is a story that never grows old and is a pleasure to watch again.