Jessie Taylor
The 1984 coming-of-age comedy film Sixteen Candles has a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. The film stars Molly Ringwald as Samantha Baker, a 16-year-old girl who deals with her family forgetting her birthday, an unrequited crush on a senior boy, and the affections of a nerdy classmate. With a mix of humour, romance, and relatable adolescent themes, Sixteen Candles has become a classic for many viewers and is considered one of the best films by director John Hughes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Rating | 7/10 |
| Year of Release | 1984 |
| Director | John Hughes |
| Writers | John Hughes |
| Stars | Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, Anthony Michael Hall |
| Plot Keywords | Coming of Age, Teen Life, High School |
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Plot summary
Sixteen Candles is a 1984 American coming-of-age teen comedy film written and directed by John Hughes in his directorial debut. The film stars Molly Ringwald as Samantha Baker, a 16-year-old girl navigating the thrills and challenges of adolescence.
In the film, Samantha faces the excitement and anxieties of her 16th birthday, which falls on the eve of her older sister Ginny's wedding. While Samantha's family forgets about her special day, she grapples with a crush on Jake Ryan, a senior classmate. Meanwhile, she also finds herself the object of affection for Ted "The Geek" Farmer, a freshman who relentlessly pursues her.
As the story unfolds, Jake notices Samantha's infatuated glances and begins to develop an interest in her. However, he is already in a relationship with another popular girl, Caroline, which creates a love triangle of sorts. On the bus ride home, Samantha has to navigate the unwanted flirtations of Ted, who attends the same school as her.
The plot takes a turn when Jake arrives at Samantha's house, only to be misinformed by a hungover Dong that she is getting married. This leads to a breakup between Jake and Caroline, as he finds her making out with Ted in his father's car. Ultimately, Jake surprises Samantha after the wedding, inviting her to his house. He presents her with a birthday cake adorned with 16 candles and they share a kiss, marking a heartwarming conclusion to Samantha's birthday wishes.
Sixteen Candles has gained recognition as one of Hughes's best films, showcasing the nuances of adolescent slang and the humiliations that often accompany teenage life. The film has received praise for its comedic elements and respectful portrayal of its characters' struggles. It has left a lasting impression on audiences, solidifying its place in the canon of 1980s filmmaking.
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Cast
The cast of Sixteen Candles includes Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall in the leading roles. Ringwald plays the protagonist, Samantha "Sam" Baker, a high school sophomore who is hopeful that her 16th birthday will mark the beginning of a great year. However, she is disappointed when her family forgets her birthday due to her older sister Ginny's upcoming wedding. Schoeffling portrays Jake Ryan, Sam's crush, a senior at her school, while Hall plays Ted "The Geek" Farmer, a freshman who pursues Sam.
The film also features Haviland Morris as Caroline Mulford, Jake's popular girlfriend, who eventually breaks up with him and spends the night with Ted. Gedde Watanabe plays Long Duk Dong, a Chinese foreign exchange student staying with the Bakers, a character that has been criticized as an offensive Asian stereotype. John Cusack and his sister Joan Cusack also appear in smaller roles as high school nerds, with John playing Bryce, a friend of Ted's.
Sixteen Candles marked the breakthrough role for Ringwald, who felt relatable and real to audiences as a teenager navigating high school and family dynamics. The film helped launch the careers of its lead actors, including Ringwald, Schoeffling, and Hall, and is considered one of director John Hughes' best films.
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Reception and controversy
"Sixteen Candles" received generally positive reviews from critics and is considered a classic coming-of-age teen comedy film. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an 81% approval rating, with an average score of 7.1/10 based on 43 reviews. Metacritic gave the film a score of 61 based on 11 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". The film is praised for its humour, compassion, and respect for its characters, with particular acclaim for Molly Ringwald's performance. Roger Ebert wrote that she "provides a perfect centre for the story" in "a sweet and funny movie".
However, the film has also been criticised for its treatment of women and Asian people, with some reviewers calling it "perverted" and "racist". The character of Long Duk Dong, a Chinese exchange student, has been described as a "cringeworthy" and "painful" stereotype, with a gong sound effect accompanying his every entrance. The film has also been criticised for its portrayal of women as objects of male desire, with men talking about their bodies and aggressively hitting on them.
In addition, some viewers have found the tone of the movie to be "too goofy for its own good", and the humour surrounding Long Duk Dong "tasteless, poor, and [not aged] well".
Despite these controversies, "Sixteen Candles" remains a beloved film for many, with some considering it a "guilty pleasure" and a classic. It is a nostalgic relic of the 1980s, with jokes and references that still work for modern audiences. The film also holds a place in filmmaking history as one of the first and best of the "brat pack" movies.
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Filming locations
The 1984 film "Sixteen Candles" was filmed in various locations in Illinois, mainly in the Chicago suburbs of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park. The story is set in the fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a suburb of Chicago.
The Baker House, where Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald) lived with her family, is located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston. The unnamed high school in the film is actually Niles East High School, located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue in Skokie. Both exterior and interior shots were filmed at this location, including the auto shop scene. However, the school has since been torn down and replaced by Oaktown Community College. Some scenes were also filmed at Niles East's sister school, Niles North High School, in Skokie. These scenes include the famous dance scene in the gym and a cafeteria scene.
The film's climax takes place at Glencoe Union Church, located at 263 Park Avenue in Glencoe. The church is where Sam's sister Ginny gets married, and it is also where the final scenes of the movie take place, with Jake Ryan waiting for Sam outside in his red Porsche.
Other notable filming locations include 1407 Waverly Road in Highland Park, which served as Jake's house, and 1411 Sycamore Lane in Northbrook, Illinois, which was used for Bryce and Cliff's house and Donger's tree. New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, was also used for some interior school shots.
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Impact and legacy
The 1984 film "Sixteen Candles" is considered one of John Hughes's best films and is regarded as a classic 1980s teen comedy. It is particularly notable for its accurate portrayal of the teenage experience, including the challenges of puberty and high school life. The film helped launch the careers of its stars, Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall, and is credited with introducing a new generation to the 1958 doo-wop song of the same name by The Crests.
"Sixteen Candles" has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It has been described as a guilty pleasure and a funny flick that remains enjoyable even decades after its release. The film's exploration of themes such as unrequited crushes, social dynamics, and family dynamics continues to resonate with audiences. It has also been praised for its well-written scenes and memorable finale, contributing to its enduring appeal.
The film's impact can also be seen in its influence on fashion and trends of the time. As one reviewer notes, it is "neat" to see items from the "not-so-distant past" on display, such as floppy disks, headgears, and leotards. This aspect of the film adds to its nostalgic value and provides a glimpse into the fashion and style of the 1980s.
In addition to its cultural impact, "Sixteen Candles" has had a commercial legacy. The film grossed $4,461,520 in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, ranking second in 1,240 theaters. It has since been released multiple times on DVD and Blu-ray, including special editions celebrating its anniversary and highlighting its impact on filmmaking in the 1980s. The film's soundtrack, featuring over 30 songs, has also been released and re-released, with the original theatrical soundtrack remixed and included in subsequent releases.
The film's influence can also be seen in the development of a television series based on it, which entered production in 2022. "Sixteen Candles" continues to be celebrated and remembered as a classic coming-of-age story that captures the joys and pains of teenage life.
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Frequently asked questions
The film '16 Candles' is 1 hour and 36 minutes long.
The film was initially rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) but was later released as PG.
'16 Candles' was released in 1984.
