I am shocked to realise this hilarious film is now 30 years old! Films from 1964 seen in 1988 looked a zillion years apart.....how can a 1980s film like this one still be so new and play so fresh in 2014? ...Apart from it being funnier and truly inspired I really now appreciate more the legacy of John Hughes in his series of films that were released in that 5 year span 1984-89. Anthony Michael Hall is rightly celebrated and gorgeous Molly Ringwald deserves her fame in the teen hall of Stardom. Whatever happened to Michael Schoeffling (Jake)....anyone know? It seems incongruous that so many future stars got their start in this film yet he seemed to go nowhere. I am also very surprised it got a PG rating.......given the swearing and the nudity..but I guess in the spirit of it all it was a perfect pic for anyone 12 - 112. Very clever and very funny.
254 Reviews
You own a church?
Boyo-210 April 2000
This movie is one of the most quotable I've ever seen. Everyone who has ever seen it knows this is true. Along with "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Breakfast Club", this is the best of the John Hughes 1980's movies. The acting is perfection, down to the smallest parts, too. Standouts are Blanche Baker as the bride-to-be on too many painkillers, Justin Henry as the pain-in-the-neck little brother, Michael Schoeffling as hunk-deluxe Jake Ryan and last but never least, Anthony Michael Hall as Farmer Fred....I mean Ted.
The eighties were great weren't they
Meredith-712 July 1999
Films like Sixteen Candles personify what the eighties was all about. And if you were a child of the 80s, you will probably identify with this film a lot more than the now younger generation. The story is simple enough, but it works so well. Molly Ringwald is particularly likeable in this, and she is almost irreplaceable in her part. There are heaps of familiar faces, including small parts from many of the present day 'movie stars' ie John Cusack, Joan Cusack and Jami Gertz. It's kind of daggy though, and when you tell people you watched it their response is usually "Oh My God. That is so OLD." But that's what I like about it. If you want to watch a film that reflects the eighties, forget the nostalgia trips of The Wedding Singer and Romy and Michelle. Hire a true eighties product, such as Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, St Elmo's Fire.... The list goes on and on.
A difficult kiss.
TOMASBBloodhound26 February 2006
The final shot of this film can in some ways mirror the difficulties of adolescence. We see Molly Ringwald finally getting to kiss the boy she's been after since the film's outset. However this kiss doesn't look like it would have been particularly easy for the actors to pull off. Both Ringwald and Shoeffling are sitting "Indian-style" on a tabletop facing one another. They both have to lean forward presumably using their wrists for leverage while their lips meet over the flaming candles on her birthday cake. A difficult kiss, indeed.
Sixteen Candles is one of the best films John Hughes gave us in the 1980s. The young cast full of so many extraordinary talents gives us one memorable scene after another. Anthony Michael Hall is particularly effective as the leader of the nerdiest students on campus. Listen to his voice crack as he reads many of his lines, and try not to laugh. Good luck! The plot, as many of us know, centers around a young girl (Ringwald) whose parents forget about her sixteenth birthday in the midst of the chaos surrounding her older sister's wedding. At the same time she tries to win the affection of the most popular guy in school who happens to be dating the most beautiful girl in school. Ah, the trials and tribulations of high school.
The film is well-paced, never drags, and has its characters pegged pretty well. The obnoxious grandparents are particularly well-drawn. Of course things are eventually resolved in a manner that could never possibly happen in real life, but that's why we go to the movies.
I miss those destructive house parties!!! 9 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
Sixteen Candles is one of the best films John Hughes gave us in the 1980s. The young cast full of so many extraordinary talents gives us one memorable scene after another. Anthony Michael Hall is particularly effective as the leader of the nerdiest students on campus. Listen to his voice crack as he reads many of his lines, and try not to laugh. Good luck! The plot, as many of us know, centers around a young girl (Ringwald) whose parents forget about her sixteenth birthday in the midst of the chaos surrounding her older sister's wedding. At the same time she tries to win the affection of the most popular guy in school who happens to be dating the most beautiful girl in school. Ah, the trials and tribulations of high school.
The film is well-paced, never drags, and has its characters pegged pretty well. The obnoxious grandparents are particularly well-drawn. Of course things are eventually resolved in a manner that could never possibly happen in real life, but that's why we go to the movies.
I miss those destructive house parties!!! 9 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
"They F##king forgot my birthday!!!"...
Don-10229 March 1999
These are the immortal words spoken by SIXTEEN CANDLES heroine Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald) in the ultimate 80's teen comedy. This movie has become a classic to those born in the 70's, like myself, and I now consider it a "guilty pleasure". Its a movie we all grew up with. Didn't we all know a person like 'Farmer Ted', or a hot queenie like the blonde he hilariously gets. It was every young freshman's fantasy. This funny flick is also a relic of the 80's that is not all that dated.
The jokes still work (as long as you see it uncut) and it is neat seeing things of the not so distant past be on display. Floppy disks, headgears, leotards, etc... Time has not been so good to the featured stars. Ringwald and Anthony-Michael Hall, who was born to play this role, and this one only, have all but disappeared. The biggest stars now are blips on the screen here: Joan (in a headgear) and John (a geek) Cusack. The film is like a toy you can't put away.
Some situations are beat, but at least Paul Dooley adds an extra dimension to the father. Too many of John Hughes' teen-angst comedies of the era feature tissue-thin parental figures. This was the first and best of the so-called "brat pack" movies, and will always hold a place in 1980's filmmaking history. Girls learned never to lend their underwear to a geek and we all learned that high school is just a phase, easily forgotten as time goes on.
The jokes still work (as long as you see it uncut) and it is neat seeing things of the not so distant past be on display. Floppy disks, headgears, leotards, etc... Time has not been so good to the featured stars. Ringwald and Anthony-Michael Hall, who was born to play this role, and this one only, have all but disappeared. The biggest stars now are blips on the screen here: Joan (in a headgear) and John (a geek) Cusack. The film is like a toy you can't put away.
Some situations are beat, but at least Paul Dooley adds an extra dimension to the father. Too many of John Hughes' teen-angst comedies of the era feature tissue-thin parental figures. This was the first and best of the so-called "brat pack" movies, and will always hold a place in 1980's filmmaking history. Girls learned never to lend their underwear to a geek and we all learned that high school is just a phase, easily forgotten as time goes on.
Now we're both on the pill!
smakawhat15 May 2001
I had to write about this film after seeing the last 10 minutes of it on TV last night. I didn't miss much after all cause I had seen the film countless times when I was younger. Man I remember how much I enjoyed it. This has to be the most 80's character driven film about high school I have ever seen. It is just plain out stupid funny and heartwarming.
While Breakfast Club tries to handle the seriousness of social peers, and Ferris Beuller just solidifies the ultimate 80's experience with some great performances and total hip coolness, Sixteen Candles is just a crazy fun romp through the perils of being a teenager.
Ringwald is at her prime as the overburdened teenager, and Michael Hall is at his greatest as the ultimate schemer-geek. The party aftermath always cracks me up everytime I see it, plus so many more things.
Also, there's a scene where the geek gets unloaded out of the trunk of a car, and i SWEAR it's not a human person but a dummy cause the guy does not move but stands like a broomstick.. It's just one of those bizarre movie qwerks I wish someone could explain to me. And who can forget those alligator shirts.... I laugh now at the way everyone and the bands look in these 80's movies.
Alas it seems, Hall and Ringwald got stuck in stereotyped roles that they never seemed to shed or outgrew them as they became adults, which is to bad cause Ringwald, and particularly Hall's comedic sense of timing in this film is just amazing.
Rating 8 out of 10.
While Breakfast Club tries to handle the seriousness of social peers, and Ferris Beuller just solidifies the ultimate 80's experience with some great performances and total hip coolness, Sixteen Candles is just a crazy fun romp through the perils of being a teenager.
Ringwald is at her prime as the overburdened teenager, and Michael Hall is at his greatest as the ultimate schemer-geek. The party aftermath always cracks me up everytime I see it, plus so many more things.
Also, there's a scene where the geek gets unloaded out of the trunk of a car, and i SWEAR it's not a human person but a dummy cause the guy does not move but stands like a broomstick.. It's just one of those bizarre movie qwerks I wish someone could explain to me. And who can forget those alligator shirts.... I laugh now at the way everyone and the bands look in these 80's movies.
Alas it seems, Hall and Ringwald got stuck in stereotyped roles that they never seemed to shed or outgrew them as they became adults, which is to bad cause Ringwald, and particularly Hall's comedic sense of timing in this film is just amazing.
Rating 8 out of 10.
I've never bagged a babe. I'm not a stud.
hitchcockthelegend15 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
It's Samantha Baker's 16th birthday and her family are so wrapped up in her sisters impending wedding, they have completely forgotten Sam's big day. Not only that but she has the hots for school hunk Jake Ryan who, apparently doesn't know she even exists. Her existence, however, is noted by freshman Ted "The Geek" who lusts after her at every opportunity. Being 16 really isn't all it's cracked up to be, maybe?
John Hughes directs his first feature film and sets out his marker for the career that was to come for the astute observer of teen angst and coming of age drama.
Featuring Hughes faves Molly Ringwald (Sam0 & Anthony Michael Hall (Ted), Sixteen Candles is frothy on the outside but not without cunning substance on the inside. It's the sort of film that is easy to forgive its obviousness on account of its understanding of its characters, something that Hughes was a master of. Even as we run through the staple requirements of the teen comedy movie (dance, party, making out etc ) Hughes manages to avoid the cliché pitfalls of such sequences by fuelling them with believable patois.
His cast, with the exception of the dull Michael Schoeffling (Jake), are sparky and engaging throughout. With the Cusack siblings, John & Joan also showing up in the strong supporting cast. There's an Asian exchange student thread that some have tried to paint as stereotypically offencive, but that is nonsense! Gedde Watanabe ensures the role is the fun and harmless one it's meant to be.
The soundtrack is kicking and very at one with the story (another knack of Hughes), it features the likes of The Specials, The Revillos, Billy Idol, The Stray Cats and The Thompson Twins. And the Evanston, Illinois location work really fleshes out the feeling of the piece.
Not just a film for 80s nostalgists then, one for pretty much anyone who was 16 and had their emotions pulled all over the place. 7/10
John Hughes directs his first feature film and sets out his marker for the career that was to come for the astute observer of teen angst and coming of age drama.
Featuring Hughes faves Molly Ringwald (Sam0 & Anthony Michael Hall (Ted), Sixteen Candles is frothy on the outside but not without cunning substance on the inside. It's the sort of film that is easy to forgive its obviousness on account of its understanding of its characters, something that Hughes was a master of. Even as we run through the staple requirements of the teen comedy movie (dance, party, making out etc ) Hughes manages to avoid the cliché pitfalls of such sequences by fuelling them with believable patois.
His cast, with the exception of the dull Michael Schoeffling (Jake), are sparky and engaging throughout. With the Cusack siblings, John & Joan also showing up in the strong supporting cast. There's an Asian exchange student thread that some have tried to paint as stereotypically offencive, but that is nonsense! Gedde Watanabe ensures the role is the fun and harmless one it's meant to be.
The soundtrack is kicking and very at one with the story (another knack of Hughes), it features the likes of The Specials, The Revillos, Billy Idol, The Stray Cats and The Thompson Twins. And the Evanston, Illinois location work really fleshes out the feeling of the piece.
Not just a film for 80s nostalgists then, one for pretty much anyone who was 16 and had their emotions pulled all over the place. 7/10
The Only Teen Comedy That Matters
evanston_dad11 April 2008
The teen comedy to which every teen comedy made for the rest of eternity will be compared.
"Sixteen Candles" is one of those movies that has entered the vocabulary of Gen-Xers everywhere. All you have to do is say a line like: "Oh look, Frank, she's got her boobies"; or "Thanks for lending me the Donger here, he's totally bitchin'"; or "What's happening', hot stuff?", to anyone between the ages of 30 and 40, and I guarantee they'll know what you're talking about.
Molly Ringwald raised teen surliness to Shakespearean heights; Anthony Michael Hall channeled hormonal distress; and Joan Cusack brought acceptance to head-gear wearers everywhere, proving that kids with bad teeth are humans too.
Grade: A+
"Sixteen Candles" is one of those movies that has entered the vocabulary of Gen-Xers everywhere. All you have to do is say a line like: "Oh look, Frank, she's got her boobies"; or "Thanks for lending me the Donger here, he's totally bitchin'"; or "What's happening', hot stuff?", to anyone between the ages of 30 and 40, and I guarantee they'll know what you're talking about.
Molly Ringwald raised teen surliness to Shakespearean heights; Anthony Michael Hall channeled hormonal distress; and Joan Cusack brought acceptance to head-gear wearers everywhere, proving that kids with bad teeth are humans too.
Grade: A+
Light and Goofy - Mixed to Good 80s Comedy
pc957 August 2022
My Aunt mentioned she loves "16 Candles", and it has been more than 12 years since I'd seen it, so we rewatched it. I've probably seen it half a dozen times earlier, but too young for it in the theater. For John Hughes earlier entry and his directorial debut - credit to him on picking and filming a very close to or actual 16 year-old Molly Ringwald for the title role. And while I really liked Michael Schoeffling for the tender main crush, he was obviously too old looking as a Senior (an easy 24 playing an 18 yro), a small quibble. His character suave, collected, and sensitive was a great counterbalance in tone to most of other characters. However the tone of the movie generally is a bit too goofy for its own good, and the humor with "Long Duk Dong" is tasteless, poor, and hasn't aged well. There are some well-written scenes to keep the movie together, particularly with Dooley and Ringwald, Hall and Ringwald, and the memorable finale scene that one doesn't forget with Schoeffling and Ringwald in the fantastic last 2 scenes. These are much needed scenes lifting the movie just out mediocrity, and the movie could've been much better focusing on the drama and cutting a good chunk of light humor. I give "16 candles" a high 6/10, round it up to a 7/10. Its in the top 5 or so of Hughes films - it has some flaws but also some touching moments.
It may look like cheesy teen romance, but it was the birth of teen comedy as we know it
Movie_Muse_Reviews13 January 2009
As weird as it may sound, "Sixteen Candles" is an important film. It's true: a film about a high school girl who has a nightmarish sixteenth birthday played a significant role in shaping movie comedies as we know them today.
To start with, "Sixteen Candles" was written and directed by John Hughes. Hughes had written a couple films prior to this one for the group National Lampoon's, namely the classic comedy "National Lampoon's: Vacation." "Candles" marks the directorial debut of Hughes, his first complete film. Why is this of any significance? Well, Hughes followed up this film a year later with a little movie called "The Breakfast Club." As if that wasn't impressive enough, in the 1980s, Hughes produced more hit sequels to the "Vacation" series, a movie called "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and created some of the finest films of the careers of Chevy Chase and John Candy. He's the father of 80s comedy and the grandfather of comedy as we know it today.
So how does this all ring true in "Sixteen Candles"? To start, the film takes place in the span of 48 hours. That seems insignificant, but how many classic teenage comedies take place in a short time span? The model even holds true with today's films like the praised Apatow Productions film "Superbad." That's just one small example. The real contribution of this movie is its depiction of the teenage lifestyle. Samantha is a typical teenager with typical teenage thoughts and problems on her 16th birthday. Molly Ringwald is a name no one forgets despite her only major films being this and "Breakfast Club" because we see a little of our teenage selves in her candid performance. With Hughes help to create such a real concept (getting neglected by her family on her birthday), Ringwald communicates all those dizzying 16-year-old emotions and issues like self-confidence, being misunderstood and of course hopeless romance.
The comedic genius plays its way in to all the things that happen to Sam and the completely relatable and/or goofy characters that surround her. The film is one of the first to take what "Animal House" did for college movies and apply it to the high school scene, being unafraid to handle the sex and drinking and generally irresponsible behavior. While this idea has since exploded into untold number of movies both good and awful, what makes it stay fresh today is that it doesn't over-stereotype. There are nerds and popular girls and what have you, but Hughes doesn't play up that hierarchy. Sam's love interest, the seemingly unattainable Jake Ryan doesn't have jerk-off friends pressuring him not to fall for the unknown quiet girl. them coming together is the film's goal, not it's plot. While the believability there isn't the film's strong suit, it's not as weak and cheesed up as similar films that followed it.
The best part of "Sixteen Candles" is how unmistakably real it is. The family drama and goofiness that plays out (the story takes place the day before and of Sam's sister's wedding and the family's in town) is so dead on. We all have grandparents like Sam's that treat us like they treat Sam. We all have embarrassing but necessary conversations with our parents, even if we don't like seeing them on the screen either. Hughes taps into our inner or (depending) outer teenager with sacrificing the humor of the whole situation. If nothing else, "Sixteen Candles" could provide anyone with a camera and some confidence to create a movie. This is proof that movies about life in the suburbs can in fact be done well.
Complimented with a killer soundtrack, freshmen who look like 12-year-olds paying money to see women's underwear, some great cars and plenty of empty cans of "Old Style," "Sixteen Candles" is classic in every sense of the word. There's no denying that it's cheesy and most of the acting is poor outside of Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall (also of "Breakfast Club") as the socially courageous geek who is a sweetheart of a troublemaker. (Oh, and appearances by the young Cusacks.) At the same time, it's the nostalgic, lost but hopeful teenage feeling the movie evokes that makes it timeless. It can't be underestimated how much of an impact this film really did have on the future of comedies.
To start with, "Sixteen Candles" was written and directed by John Hughes. Hughes had written a couple films prior to this one for the group National Lampoon's, namely the classic comedy "National Lampoon's: Vacation." "Candles" marks the directorial debut of Hughes, his first complete film. Why is this of any significance? Well, Hughes followed up this film a year later with a little movie called "The Breakfast Club." As if that wasn't impressive enough, in the 1980s, Hughes produced more hit sequels to the "Vacation" series, a movie called "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and created some of the finest films of the careers of Chevy Chase and John Candy. He's the father of 80s comedy and the grandfather of comedy as we know it today.
So how does this all ring true in "Sixteen Candles"? To start, the film takes place in the span of 48 hours. That seems insignificant, but how many classic teenage comedies take place in a short time span? The model even holds true with today's films like the praised Apatow Productions film "Superbad." That's just one small example. The real contribution of this movie is its depiction of the teenage lifestyle. Samantha is a typical teenager with typical teenage thoughts and problems on her 16th birthday. Molly Ringwald is a name no one forgets despite her only major films being this and "Breakfast Club" because we see a little of our teenage selves in her candid performance. With Hughes help to create such a real concept (getting neglected by her family on her birthday), Ringwald communicates all those dizzying 16-year-old emotions and issues like self-confidence, being misunderstood and of course hopeless romance.
The comedic genius plays its way in to all the things that happen to Sam and the completely relatable and/or goofy characters that surround her. The film is one of the first to take what "Animal House" did for college movies and apply it to the high school scene, being unafraid to handle the sex and drinking and generally irresponsible behavior. While this idea has since exploded into untold number of movies both good and awful, what makes it stay fresh today is that it doesn't over-stereotype. There are nerds and popular girls and what have you, but Hughes doesn't play up that hierarchy. Sam's love interest, the seemingly unattainable Jake Ryan doesn't have jerk-off friends pressuring him not to fall for the unknown quiet girl. them coming together is the film's goal, not it's plot. While the believability there isn't the film's strong suit, it's not as weak and cheesed up as similar films that followed it.
The best part of "Sixteen Candles" is how unmistakably real it is. The family drama and goofiness that plays out (the story takes place the day before and of Sam's sister's wedding and the family's in town) is so dead on. We all have grandparents like Sam's that treat us like they treat Sam. We all have embarrassing but necessary conversations with our parents, even if we don't like seeing them on the screen either. Hughes taps into our inner or (depending) outer teenager with sacrificing the humor of the whole situation. If nothing else, "Sixteen Candles" could provide anyone with a camera and some confidence to create a movie. This is proof that movies about life in the suburbs can in fact be done well.
Complimented with a killer soundtrack, freshmen who look like 12-year-olds paying money to see women's underwear, some great cars and plenty of empty cans of "Old Style," "Sixteen Candles" is classic in every sense of the word. There's no denying that it's cheesy and most of the acting is poor outside of Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall (also of "Breakfast Club") as the socially courageous geek who is a sweetheart of a troublemaker. (Oh, and appearances by the young Cusacks.) At the same time, it's the nostalgic, lost but hopeful teenage feeling the movie evokes that makes it timeless. It can't be underestimated how much of an impact this film really did have on the future of comedies.
an 80's classic!!!
LittleRascal-1512 January 2000
This John Hughes film is one of the best romantic teen comedies in history. Starring 2 of the Brat Packers, Molly Ringwald, playing the lovesick Samantha, and Anthony Michael Hall who plays "The Geek", he pratically stole the entire movie with his one-liners. His friends were the best, it's funny to see John Cusack as one of his geeky friends, and I just noticed Joan Cusack makes a small appearance in this as the girl with the neck brace on. That's funny. I recommend this classic to anyone who likes romantic teen comedies. Oh and whoever said that "Sixteen Candles" was perverted, all i have to say is WHAT? What is perverted about this movie, American Pie was perverted, this movie is a classic. There was ONE scene of nudity and it lasted about 3 seconds. I give "Sixteen Candles" 10 out of 10!!!!
A Slice of Teenage Life
Hitchcoc2 December 2016
I don't know why, but I've always found Molly Ringwald tough to watch. There is a snarl that is part of her being that doesn't appeal to me. Nevertheless, she does a decent job here as a poor ignored girl whose birthday is forgotten. Then we have a bunch of juvenile jokes, designed to appeal to, you guessed it, juveniles. I think a lot of the people who liked this movie, see this time in their lives in the characters. Once again, like with the breakfast club, we have all these persons with prescribed traits, interconnected. They come and they go, but there is not real connection. As a matter of fact, they would be at opposite poles in real life. We know that things will work out in the end and all will be well with the world. Nothing wrong with that. It's just not all that engaging.
Takes the Cake
tedg23 October 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers herein.
Most films are about other films, and few invent new stuff in the film world. So when something new comes around, it is remarkable. The big deal with this film is that it DOES add something to the cinematic vocabulary that wasn't there before.
It references the movies we invent and carry in our minds from high school. `Fast Times at Ridgemont High' was the originator of this idea, but the manner used there never caught on (unless you could Kevin Smith). Here, the idea is to be fantastic, so amazingly so that we agree with the direction of the fantasy. It is precisely the direction we were already going with the exaggerations we play with in our own memories.
A house is not just trashed by a party, it is decimated and defiled. A foreign student isn't just out of touch, he is from outer space and this Earth just gobbles him up. All this frantic fantasy wouldn't work without an emotional anchor. The `rule of twos' says that you need a girl and a boy, here Molly and Hall. These are characters who live in that chaotic mess and who you can see knowing it and devising strategies to get by.
Michael Hall is terrific, but Molly Ringwald interests me more. Nowadays, a director would find a 20's something actress to play a teenager (like dePalma had with `Carrie'). Molly was actually younger than her character but understands the notion of trying to find a lighted path in a funhouse.
She is only asked to do one thing here. Her subsequent career shows she is limited as an actress to this one thing, but she does it so extraordinarily well, it anchors the fantasy. We relate to her and use her a springboard for our own remembrances. No shrinking redhead can appear in film now without referencing her in some way. (I'm thinking directly of Lauren Ambrose here.)
It is a touch of genius. This is her best work, and that of Hughes as well. It added something, something that stuck. Now, many movies are about this one.
Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.
Most films are about other films, and few invent new stuff in the film world. So when something new comes around, it is remarkable. The big deal with this film is that it DOES add something to the cinematic vocabulary that wasn't there before.
It references the movies we invent and carry in our minds from high school. `Fast Times at Ridgemont High' was the originator of this idea, but the manner used there never caught on (unless you could Kevin Smith). Here, the idea is to be fantastic, so amazingly so that we agree with the direction of the fantasy. It is precisely the direction we were already going with the exaggerations we play with in our own memories.
A house is not just trashed by a party, it is decimated and defiled. A foreign student isn't just out of touch, he is from outer space and this Earth just gobbles him up. All this frantic fantasy wouldn't work without an emotional anchor. The `rule of twos' says that you need a girl and a boy, here Molly and Hall. These are characters who live in that chaotic mess and who you can see knowing it and devising strategies to get by.
Michael Hall is terrific, but Molly Ringwald interests me more. Nowadays, a director would find a 20's something actress to play a teenager (like dePalma had with `Carrie'). Molly was actually younger than her character but understands the notion of trying to find a lighted path in a funhouse.
She is only asked to do one thing here. Her subsequent career shows she is limited as an actress to this one thing, but she does it so extraordinarily well, it anchors the fantasy. We relate to her and use her a springboard for our own remembrances. No shrinking redhead can appear in film now without referencing her in some way. (I'm thinking directly of Lauren Ambrose here.)
It is a touch of genius. This is her best work, and that of Hughes as well. It added something, something that stuck. Now, many movies are about this one.
Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.
It's carbon dated
Smells_Like_Cheese17 October 2005
"Sixteen Candles" was a great movie from the land that was the 80's. All the girls from my work were talking about the 80's teen flicks and how much they loved them. I had never seen a Molly Ringwald film, after all I'm only 20. But the girls were still incredibly shocked when I told them, they told me that they will not respect my movie opinions until I saw all the teen flicks from the 80's. We're talking crazy here people: Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, Say Anything, Weird Science, etc.
So far now I have seen the major Molly Ringwald films. Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles. Sixteen Candles is a very cute film that came before the cliché 90's teen flicks. It's original and very funny. I think the reason why it's so popular, is because everyone can relate in some way to the characters. Molly, a shy ignored outcast, The Geek, well, he's a geek, the jock, he's expected to date and act a certain way. It goes on and on. I really enjoyed Sixteen Candles, well, I guess it's on the way to Say Anything! Wish me luck, y'all! :D
7/10
So far now I have seen the major Molly Ringwald films. Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles. Sixteen Candles is a very cute film that came before the cliché 90's teen flicks. It's original and very funny. I think the reason why it's so popular, is because everyone can relate in some way to the characters. Molly, a shy ignored outcast, The Geek, well, he's a geek, the jock, he's expected to date and act a certain way. It goes on and on. I really enjoyed Sixteen Candles, well, I guess it's on the way to Say Anything! Wish me luck, y'all! :D
7/10
A pretty fun classic, though imperfect & flawed in specific ways
I_Ailurophile5 March 2023
Its reputation far precedes it as one of the quintessential coming-of-age teen comedy-dramas, nevermind 80s movies, and that reputation is not undeserved. Even if not every last facet of the story or humor is fully relatable, a lot of it certainly is, and remains so even 40 years later: familial relations to which one can't relate, various social difficulties, total hatred of the school bus, feelings of being unappreciated, and more. On the other hand, we also get stereotypical representations of teens and cliques; over the top gags, jokes, and sound and musical cues, including some definite boorishness, and some abject randomness; obsession with sex and teenage notions of love that seem far-fetched even for stereotypical, hormonally-sensitive teens; the arbitrary inflated importance of The School Dance (and who has ever actually had a party like that?); and to top it all off, pervasive racism, and casual use of homophobic or ableist slurs that emphatically have not aged well. Suffice to say that earnestness is paired with tawdriness, aspects with which we can identify are paired with those with which we cannot, and all this time later some parts come off great, and others not so much. Still, despite its faults this is a classic, and on the balance, it's pretty fun!
In uneven bits and pieces, in both his writing and his direction, filmmaker John Hughes crafts small moments that in and of themselves are kind of brilliant. 'Sixteen candles' is never necessarily firing on all cylinders, but at its best, it's all but perfect. Some of the sight gags, characterizations, and jokes earn a good laugh, and the particular execution of some little inclusions is just exquisite; the climax is an absolute blast. The development of friendship between the archetypal geek and the archetypal jock is a minor delight, as is the representation of the most distinctly upper-class character as careless, selfish, childish, and destructive. Of course, the latter elements would be better if they weren't paired with casual, approving discussion or suggestion of sexual assault, manipulation, and exploitation. Even setting that aside (though definitely not forgetting it), some scenes don't come of nearly as well as they're supposed to, even something as small as that moment when Ted approaches the bedroom window of Bryce and Wease. Like I said: earnestness, and tawdriness.
And still, for all that, at large this is very well done. The big cast, filled with recognizable names and faces, are all a joy. Molly Ringwald actually gives an admirable, sincere performance of range and personality; given only a second supporting part, Paul Dooley lights up the screen with warmhearted honesty that threatens to upstage the star. Against all odds, Anthony Michael Hall and Michael Schoeffling do a fantastic job in helping to build the story and sell the comedy; in what are essentially bit parts, it's nonetheless a joy to see Jami Gertz and Zelda Rubinstein here. Moreover, crew behind the scenes turned in fine work all around - production design, art direction, costume design, hair and makeup, stunts, effects, and more. The assembled soundtrack is simply superb. 'Sixteen candles' as a whole is uneven in very distinct ways, but it boasts strong direction, acting, and craftsmanship, and its writing is smarter and sharper than not.
I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say this is a must-see; it has attained a rather high status in our culture that I'm not fully certain it deserves. Like some other features from the 80s, I think nostalgia has somewhat taken the place of consideration of inherent value, which doesn't serve the medium well and also says a lot about our society. Still, despite being decidedly flawed in some regards (if not outright ill-begotten), and broadly imperfect, more than not I think this is a rather good time, and holds up reasonably well; by no means can that be said for all its kin. It won't appeal to everyone; frankly, asterisks and content warnings are necessary for some of the inclusions; there is no actual need to see this just because of its reputation. All the same, if you do have the chance to watch 'Sixteen candles' and can abide its less savory aspects, it's a decent way to spend ninety minutes.
In uneven bits and pieces, in both his writing and his direction, filmmaker John Hughes crafts small moments that in and of themselves are kind of brilliant. 'Sixteen candles' is never necessarily firing on all cylinders, but at its best, it's all but perfect. Some of the sight gags, characterizations, and jokes earn a good laugh, and the particular execution of some little inclusions is just exquisite; the climax is an absolute blast. The development of friendship between the archetypal geek and the archetypal jock is a minor delight, as is the representation of the most distinctly upper-class character as careless, selfish, childish, and destructive. Of course, the latter elements would be better if they weren't paired with casual, approving discussion or suggestion of sexual assault, manipulation, and exploitation. Even setting that aside (though definitely not forgetting it), some scenes don't come of nearly as well as they're supposed to, even something as small as that moment when Ted approaches the bedroom window of Bryce and Wease. Like I said: earnestness, and tawdriness.
And still, for all that, at large this is very well done. The big cast, filled with recognizable names and faces, are all a joy. Molly Ringwald actually gives an admirable, sincere performance of range and personality; given only a second supporting part, Paul Dooley lights up the screen with warmhearted honesty that threatens to upstage the star. Against all odds, Anthony Michael Hall and Michael Schoeffling do a fantastic job in helping to build the story and sell the comedy; in what are essentially bit parts, it's nonetheless a joy to see Jami Gertz and Zelda Rubinstein here. Moreover, crew behind the scenes turned in fine work all around - production design, art direction, costume design, hair and makeup, stunts, effects, and more. The assembled soundtrack is simply superb. 'Sixteen candles' as a whole is uneven in very distinct ways, but it boasts strong direction, acting, and craftsmanship, and its writing is smarter and sharper than not.
I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say this is a must-see; it has attained a rather high status in our culture that I'm not fully certain it deserves. Like some other features from the 80s, I think nostalgia has somewhat taken the place of consideration of inherent value, which doesn't serve the medium well and also says a lot about our society. Still, despite being decidedly flawed in some regards (if not outright ill-begotten), and broadly imperfect, more than not I think this is a rather good time, and holds up reasonably well; by no means can that be said for all its kin. It won't appeal to everyone; frankly, asterisks and content warnings are necessary for some of the inclusions; there is no actual need to see this just because of its reputation. All the same, if you do have the chance to watch 'Sixteen candles' and can abide its less savory aspects, it's a decent way to spend ninety minutes.
Another classic from John Hughes
pmtelefon2 April 2022
"Sixteen Candles" delivers the goods in a major way. There are a ton of big laughs in this movie. The cast is top-notch with one solid performance after another, including a never better Joan Cusack. I first saw "Sixteen Candles" in the theater (Movie World, Douglaston, NY). I've seen it a bunch of times since. It's one of the best teen movies to come out of the 1980's. It's also one of Hall of Fame writer/director John Hughes' best movies.
A senior guy and a sophomore girl find romance
mloessel28 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Jake Ryan and Samantha Baker are not an item at least not in the beginning of movie. It takes the entire movie and some very odd moments to get them together. Jake does the pursuing as Sammie has opportunities but her shyness pulls her away from at least getting to know Jake. Samantha (aka Molly Ringwald) is a nice looking lady who's birthday is forgotten due to the upcoming wedding of her older sister Ginny. Jake (aka Michael Schoeffling) seems like a reasonably likable senior who wants to get to know Samanatha (the sophomore). He has grown tired of his current girlfriend (a very sexy senior) who's only interested in having sex with Jake. A strictly physical relationship gets old over time. Jake decides he wants to connect with Sam and to his credit he takes a few daring steps to contact her. The most daring is to call her home phone number. Unfortunately, Sam's grandparents have taken over Sam's bedroom and when Jake calls the grandma or grandpa pick up the receiver. In the end Jake gets a tongue lashing from grandma. To his credit Jake is determined to connect with Sam. The morning of the wedding He goes to her house and is told by the visiting exchange student (aka Gedde Watanabe) that the family has gone to church for her older sister's wedding. Jake drives to the church and meets up with Samanatha as everyone is leaving for the reception. She finally relaxes as Jake and Sam leave for his house. Sam's dad (aka Paul Dooley) sees her leave and she points out that Jake is the guy.
I like the realism of Sixteen Candles and remember my high school days especially my senior year. Many of the nicer looking 9th grade ladies got the attention of the senior guys. They liked the attention they received. All that would change over the four years of high school and the onset of puberty. Suddenly the time between a passing period would get replaced by a kiss as a lively chat took a back seat.
To its credit Director John Hughes took Sixteen Candles no further then the innocent high school romance. The final scene was Jake and Sam kissing over a candle lit birthday cake ... very nice.
I like the realism of Sixteen Candles and remember my high school days especially my senior year. Many of the nicer looking 9th grade ladies got the attention of the senior guys. They liked the attention they received. All that would change over the four years of high school and the onset of puberty. Suddenly the time between a passing period would get replaced by a kiss as a lively chat took a back seat.
To its credit Director John Hughes took Sixteen Candles no further then the innocent high school romance. The final scene was Jake and Sam kissing over a candle lit birthday cake ... very nice.
My So-Called Life meets...Porky's?! Is this movie for girls or boys?
crispy_comments20 January 2007
Funny, I saw this as a young kid and the only thing that made an impression on me was the beginning when Molly Ringwald's parents forget her birthday, and the final scene where she gets her happy ending. I must've blocked out everything inbetween because I didn't understand it at that age... Watching "Sixteen Candles" again as an adult, I was stunned by how racist, sexist and crass most of the movie is. How can it be so revered, I wonder?
Crude sex-jokes, over-the-top humour, cringe-worthy Asian stereotypes... yikes. Most offensive is the scene where Molly's older-man crush hands his unconscious girlfriend over to The Geek and encourages him to have his way with her while she's passed out. What the hell? Is this movie actually condoning RAPE?! Unbelievable. And we're supposed to root for an innocent young girl to hook up with this creep?
I know many teen comedies from the early '80s still had that '70s sensibility, and nudity/vulgarity was common. But I just didn't expect Porky's-style hijinks from John Hughes movies, which are often acclaimed for their realistic portrayal of teen life. This particular film seems to get many positive reviews for being groundbreaking in it's realism. But this ain't *my* version of reality.
I dunno, maybe "Sixteen Candles" was, at the time, a step up from previous teen movies. Still, it's definitely my least favorite Hughes film, and I wouldn't recommend it to any impressionable youngsters out there who might pick up some very bad messages...if they have a better memory than I did.
Crude sex-jokes, over-the-top humour, cringe-worthy Asian stereotypes... yikes. Most offensive is the scene where Molly's older-man crush hands his unconscious girlfriend over to The Geek and encourages him to have his way with her while she's passed out. What the hell? Is this movie actually condoning RAPE?! Unbelievable. And we're supposed to root for an innocent young girl to hook up with this creep?
I know many teen comedies from the early '80s still had that '70s sensibility, and nudity/vulgarity was common. But I just didn't expect Porky's-style hijinks from John Hughes movies, which are often acclaimed for their realistic portrayal of teen life. This particular film seems to get many positive reviews for being groundbreaking in it's realism. But this ain't *my* version of reality.
I dunno, maybe "Sixteen Candles" was, at the time, a step up from previous teen movies. Still, it's definitely my least favorite Hughes film, and I wouldn't recommend it to any impressionable youngsters out there who might pick up some very bad messages...if they have a better memory than I did.
The film that started the careers of John Hughes and Molly Ringwald; still a classic
inkblot1124 February 2020
Samantha (Molly Ringwald) wakes up on her sixteenth birthday to a chaotic household. Her sister is getting married in two days and relatives have been arriving and filling the house from cellar to attic. Still, she doesn't expect the whole family to forget her sweet sixteenth! But, alas, they do. Too upset to remind anyone, Sam heads off to school, where one of the cool seniors, Jake (Michael Schoeffling) is the object of her affections. Wouldn't you know it, he hasn't noticed HER but the resident Geek (Anthony Michael Hall) is always following Sam, hoping to win her over. That's not going anywhere, in Sam's view. Jake, for his part, already has a girlfriend who is widely admired. But, he knows she's a party girl and that's not him. In actuality, he has cast his eyes on Sam without her knowing it. Between wild teen parties, a Japanese foreign exchange student, overbearing grandparents and the Geek driving a borrowed Rolls Royce, will Sam indeed get to know Jake? This classic film launched the careers of both John Hughes, writer-director, and Molly Ringwald, his favorite muse. Teens loved it then and love it now, for the joy and angst of high school are universal and timeless realities. Hall is a stitch while Schoeffling is indeed dreamy. Also, if any viewer wants to watch the Hughes repertoire, it is a great place to begin for it is light-hearted and fun, before the darker movies like The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. Do you know any about-to-turn sixteen year old gals? Why don't you surprise her and watch this one together!
Hasn't aged well
narcissussins28 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Call me over sensitive, but I really hated this movie. From the racist caricature of the 'Chinaman' to the flippant treatment of rape (seriously, your romantic hero trades a night with his drunk girlfriend for another girl's panties...swoon), Sixteen Candles struck me as far more mean-spirited than funny. Yeah, yeah, "lighten up! It's just a movie!" I'll lighten up when race is more than a punchline, when boys learn that being too drunk to consent means no consent.
Cheap humour.
On the plus side, it's kind of a kick to see the technology of yesteryear. Floppy disks! Phones the size of your head!
Cheap humour.
On the plus side, it's kind of a kick to see the technology of yesteryear. Floppy disks! Phones the size of your head!
Coming of Age
kosmasp31 July 2019
People who watched this back then and were the right age and were in the right mind set to do so - it's very likely they will cherish and love this. Same goes for Breakfast Club - and they would not even want to hear anything about movies aging. I personally wouldn't say that (although technology has moved on), but you can't blame other people who didn't watch it back then or have seen other movies, some maybe even influenced by this and not finding a common thread or something to really hold onto here.
So a Birthday is a central theme of the movie, which is fitting since this is about growing up, becoming an adult and all the trials, tribulations and other "fun" stuff that comes with that. This is not about the odd ones of course - which makes it interesting to say the least but might not be everyones cup of tea ... enjoy the quirkines if you can
So a Birthday is a central theme of the movie, which is fitting since this is about growing up, becoming an adult and all the trials, tribulations and other "fun" stuff that comes with that. This is not about the odd ones of course - which makes it interesting to say the least but might not be everyones cup of tea ... enjoy the quirkines if you can
2019 review of an 80s classic
Wardman321 November 2019
I am a child of the 80s and was 15 when this came out... I loved it then and I love it now. I want to address the issues that have arisen in today's age in regards to a film from 1984. The inferred "" scene has come under scrutiny over the years and I can understand why in this climate. However, it was a different time back then...It is not a reason to validate it, but no one was thinking about it the way people do today... You can not go back and alter time, or censor things we do not like because society has changed. Would this scenario play in a comedic movie today? Of course not.
As far as the rest of the movie, I still crack up every time at multiple scenes...John Hughes had a talent in casting and writing about teen age life in the 80's and he was spot on. Casting was perfect...
In summary, if you are not from the era, you will probably not understand the huge influence this had on all of us born from 1965-1975. but it brings all of us back to a time where things were far more innocent and political correctness did not affect every aspect of our daily lives
a very good movie
lguerra-1252920 September 2022
I watched this movie for my film studies class, for a assignment. It is one of my moms favorites I have always heard about it but never had watched it. This movie was surprisingly really good. Not just because of the fact my mom liked it! I really enjoyed, watching it for the first time just not expecting it to be that great but a classic movie about high-school in the 80s like any other I have seen I definitely recommend if you enjoy comedy and a little bit of romance! I definitely will be watching this as a go to when I dont know what else to watch this movie seems to be one that just can't get old!
Charming and very funny
TheLittleSongbird24 November 2010
The story may be a little uneven in structure and perhaps tone, but overall Sixteen Candles is hugely enjoyable. It is both a very charming and very funny film. As to expect, the production values are excellent, and the soundtrack is cool and memorable. The script is both funny and smart with a keen ear not just for the idiom of teenspeak, but also genuine sympathy. The pacing is good, and the direction is solid, while the acting I have no qualms with either. Anthony Michael Hall is perfect as the nerd who tries hard to impress, but to me this is Molly Ringwald's movie as she adeptly personifies the sulky sweet teen whose day goes from bad to worse. Overall, charming, funny if slightly uneven. 8/10 Bethany Cox
I used to like this film... not anymore
nicolabennett_8023 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Reading all the comments about how funny and amazing and "true" this film is, I hope that the world has progressed a LOT since it was made or that the people who commented didn't actually see the vast majority of this film. When I first saw it as a child, I thought it was great too.
I recently had the chance to see it again, and I cannot believe how awful it actually is. This film is racist, sexist, classist and homophobic and not in a satirical way. It casually condones and glorifies rape (yes, having sex with someone who is too drunk to even know who you are is actually rape).
The only good thing about this film is the soundtrack.
I recently had the chance to see it again, and I cannot believe how awful it actually is. This film is racist, sexist, classist and homophobic and not in a satirical way. It casually condones and glorifies rape (yes, having sex with someone who is too drunk to even know who you are is actually rape).
The only good thing about this film is the soundtrack.
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