Thursday, October 7, 2021

Molly Ringwald Dreads Watching John Hughes Films With Woke Daughter

Molly Ringwald has revealed she can't bear to watch John Hughes films with her youngest daughter. The actress played the leading role in three films from the director, Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Pretty In Pink (1986). Hughes, who cited Ringwald as the muse for his films, came under scrutiny in light of the #MeToo movement. The movement aimed to publicly highlight the widespread sexual abuse and harassment experienced by women, especially in the workplace. It swept through Hollywood and gained notable support from women in the industry, many of whom spoke out against figures they had previously worked with.

In an article for The New Yorker in 2018, Ringwald discussed her opinion of the hit teen films she had made with Hughes, considering both the positive and negative contents of them. Hughes' films, which are arguably symbolic of the 1980s, have been adored by many for decades. However, the films contain many aspects, including racial and homophobic slurs, offensive stereotypes, and misogynistic views, that make for uncomfortable and cringe-worthy viewing today. The industry has made strides in ensuring this kind of content is eradicated from modern-day cinema, but these old films still exist, and with them comes the luxury of hindsight.

Related: Every John Hughes '80s Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

Speaking with Andy Cohen on his SiriusXM show, Radio Andy, Ringwald spoke about the fact that she is dreading the idea of watching the films with her youngest daughter, Adele, on account of her "woke" outlook. Ringwald acknowledges that the films are "complicated," referencing their homophobic elements, but she also credits the way they focused on characters who "felt like outsiders." Talking about her New Yorker article, she says she wanted to "go on record" to discuss the "troubling" aspects of the films, but ultimately she is also very proud of them. After watching The Breakfast Club with her eldest daughter, Ringwald admitted that she is scared to watch the films with any of her other children. She explains that her youngest daughter, Adele, would undoubtedly question her mother about the uncomfortable aspects of the films, and Ringwald isn't sure she's ready to be subjected to that. See her full quote below:

"People ask me if I've watched them with my kids, and I did watch [The Breakfast Club]...with Matilda. It was such an emotional experience that I haven't found that strength to watch it with my two other kids...My 12-year-old daughter, Adele, is the most woke individual that you have ever met, and I just don't know how I'm gonna go through that, you know, watching it with her, and her saying 'How could you do that? How could you be a part of something that-' you know."

It is evident that Hughes' films have created an internal conflict for Ringwald, but her acknowledgement of this acts to strengthen the conversation. She seems to have adopted the outlook that, as long as people are aware of the damaging aspects of these films, they can still be enjoyed. It is clear that these classic rom-coms cannot be approached with the same adoration as they once were but, ultimately, they cannot be erased completely. Modern reactions to the films are a sign of the times, and show that things have definitely changed. However, it's clear from recent events that Hollywood must keep holding the industry accountable for its wrongdoings. Judging by her daughter's stance, Ringwald knows the younger generation are heading in the right direction.

It is not just John Hughes films that have been scrutinised in recent years, with modern day audiences being forced to reconsider the contents of many other beloved classics. Some streaming services have now opted to share disclaimers, citing the outdated nature of the contents, before some of their older films. Cinema has thankfully progressed a lot in the past 40 years, and social movements like #MeToo act to keep the conversation going.

More: Why John Hughes' Sixteen Candles Hasn't Aged Well Since The '80s

Source: SiriusXM/Youtube



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