Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Micransix Crappy film

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Fluke_Skywalker Plot; A high school senior pursues a beautiful classmate while oblivious to his female best friend's romantic interest in him.What could be called a Pretty in Pink rehash by writer John Hughes and director Howard Deutch actually plays more like a do over to me. Hughes was reportedly unhappy with the ultimate theatrical ending to Pretty in Pink, which came about because the original ending (with Molly Ringwald's character choosing her quirky best friend Duckie at the end) was poorly received by test audiences (ironically today many fans champion Duckie as the one Ringwald's Andie should have chosen). Here he switches up the genders, but keeps much of the basic plot in tact. Lead character Keith (Eric Stoltz) is a blue collar kid who falls for the beautiful and popular Amanda (Lea Thompson), herself a working class girl who has risen to her perch amongst the school's elite thanks to her looks and rich boyfriend, Hardy (played loathsomely by Craig Sheffer). The Duckie here is the tomboyish Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson), and right from the start I was rooting for Watts over Amanda. That's not because Amanda is a bad person (more on this in a sec), but because it's so crystal clear to everyone but Keith that he and Watts are made for each other (I also happened to fall head over heels for Mary Stuart Masterson here ).I've always loved Pretty in Pink, but in some ways I have to say Some Kind of Wonderful is an improvement. The former has a much stronger soundtrack (making excellent use of post-punk New Wave pop), and Ringwald makes for a more compelling lead than the somewhat stiff Stoltz, but Watts is a more sympathetic character than her Pretty in Pink counterpart (at least to me) and Sheffer makes for a far more boo-worthy villain than James Spader. What undermines things a bit is the ending. Yeah, Keith and Watts end up together, but it lacks not only the iconic panache of Pink, Keith's fourth quarter revelation that he has romantic feelings for Watts (after the ever likable and cheerworthy Amanda decides she needs to take some time for her self) feels too sudden. You've got to earn that moment, and they don't here. But overall I think Some Kind of Wonderful is a worthy and overlooked part of Hughes' classic 80s catalog.

flips93 Grab the ice cream and a blanket! You've just stumbled onto one of the greatest films of all time. This film is perfect no matter what your situation; night in alone, watch this film. Going through a break up, watch this film. Just want to feel good, watch this film. It has all the answers, I promise!

cnycitylady Some Kind of Wonderful was written and produced by John Hughes, the man who most people call the 80s king. His teen based movies did very well with audiences of all ages and are still hailed as some of the best movies of that decade. But then you get this movie, which by all accounts should be excellent, but when you look at the trite storyline and shallow characters you think "John Hughes wrote this?"Don't get me wrong, I give this movie 7/10 because, for some reason or other, this movie, with all of its unoriginality and basically second rate story, captures your attention and you find yourself watching it over and over again. The character Watts was perhaps the only refreshing thing in the film. Her blatant disdain for her friend Keith's interest in a preppy girl isn't subtle and isn't annoying. She lets him know that she doesn't approve with her snide comments and concerns for him. I like to think it's her way of alerting her somewhat oblivious friends to her feelings for him. Mary Stuart Masterson did an impeccable job as the sexy tomboy best friend.Keith's character, although cute in his naive and unsure manner, isn't as likable as Watts; But this is masterfully done because you feel that his character shouldn't be as cool as Watts. You see in him purity of mind and heart and you know that without his best friend he wouldn't get very far in life before someone or something rocks his world, (and not in a good way.) All of these characters at first seem shallow and underdeveloped, but as you watch you realize that that is part of the movie's charm. You don't know everything about these characters because you are only glimpsing a week in the life of these kids, and they aren't spilling their guts and innermost feelings to you like in "The Breakfast Club" and they don't pine and long for someone they know they cannot have such as the characters in "Pretty in Pink" and "Sixteen Candles." They try to attain what their hearts want the most, but the two go about it differently. By the end of this movie you're smiling (Not at the abrupt ending where Keith realizes who he really loves) but at the fact that you know that this here is another classic and you think, "Yes, this is John Hughes."

Wilder Movie Reviews This is a film written by the late John Hughes. He has always had a talent for writing realistic and engaging characters as shown in many of his other films including The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Home Alone, & Uncle Buck. All great films and with this one he pulls it off again.The story follows Keith (Eric Stoltz) as he tries to discover his place in the world dealing with his overbearing father who is desperate for him to go to college. Keith is infatuated by popular girl Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson) and he invites her on a date, she accepts and Keith along with help from his best friend, a tomboy called Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson), plan the most amazing date.The cast including Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, Lea Thompson, Craig Sheffer, John Ashton & Elias Koteas is great and all bring something great to each character. The story is basic but it draws you in and doesn't let go. The scenes are beautifully shot and the soundtrack brings the film come to life.This is a really fun film with some great twists and fun characters. The standout character is the skinhead Duncan played by Elias Koteas who steals every scene he is in.John Hughes has created another under rated masterpiece. It is not as well known as Ferris Bueller's Day Off & Home Alone, but due to the more serious tone of the film, this is better.This is a great film, perfectly made and flawless. It's one I can watch time and time again.