O Clube

Nice guys aren't extinct, resistance hasn't died out. A film that deserves to be referenced (Scrubs), imitated (Dawson's Creek), and parodied (Not Another Teen Movie). In any case, it is an ideal generational statement surpassing either the famous Fast Times at Ridgemont High or Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused. (30/03/2009)

An original premise – one Saturday, the movie fills a single classroom with five completely different people who are characterized by exactly what they are; so a nerd, a jock, a wannabe gothic, a princess and a crook. They all hate each other and they all become friends in the end. A classic that interestingly hints at its era, young people and their opinions, which do not differ from what our generation went through years ago in many respects. (25/01/2016)

In The Breakfast Club, there is a visible effort to make it a generational film and supposedly it is a cult phenomenon in the United States. I don't know, it doesn't seem to me that it significantly portrays the young generation of the 80s, rather it is some sort of pretentious manifesto of teenagers. Everyone had to go through puberty and those who are currently going through it can naturally identify with the film's characters. Nothing more can be deduced from their dialogues and actions than annoyance toward parents and authority figures. They are far from being real characters, rather they represent classic school types - so typical that it reeks of script convenience. It's not funny and considering the aforementioned, the psychological aspect doesn't work for me either, and I can't emotionally identify with those guys, especially the jock and troublemaker portrayed by Judd Nelson, who I think needs a few slaps rather than understanding. His idea of independence and life ends where the French film The Class takes place. For the system to function, not everyone can just talk about their rights, they must also contribute. The film's characters don't behave realistically and their pairing at the end is also just a result forced by the script. Overall impression: 40%. (20/04/2011)

At times I thought it was a bit naive, an "old man's" (which John Hughes was definitely not) view of teenage life, but on the other hand I would carve some of the statements and ideas in stone. Certainly the mental processes of teenagers stemming from the traumatic "despotic father vs. son" relationship was hit perfectly by Hughes, the unusual comedic exaggeration was surprisingly fine considering the seriousness of the topic, the light hinting of sexual themes was amusing, the five completely different characters complemented each other perfectly and it just flowed very nicely. A very nice film and a well-deserved major overseas cult following. (18/02/2024)

At first, it seems that we have before us five clearly stereotypical high-school characters, but nothing – let alone adolescents coming of age – is unambiguous, as the screenplay, written with a light hand over the course of two days, sensitively reveals. At a time when you feel that you are somebody but you don’t know exactly who, any film that is sympathetic to your plight will come in handy. This one is additionally funny and touching. Not even the fact that the film is now decades old is an obstacle. With its music, well-chosen characters and mainly its extraordinary degree of understanding, The Breakfast Club is a timeless affair of the heart for many viewers (unfortunately mostly Americans). Though I haven’t been a part of the target group for quite a while, I am pleased to “appropriate” The Breakfast Club. Thank you, John Hughes. (07/12/2010)