Maddie James
Sixteen Candles is an American coming-of-age comedy film released in 1984. The film, written and directed by John Hughes, follows the story of a 16-year-old girl named Samantha Baker, played by Molly Ringwald, who deals with the embarrassment of her family forgetting her 16th birthday and pines for a romantic interest while also being pursued by a boy she is not interested in.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1984 |
| Release Date | 4 May 1984 |
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Director | John Hughes |
| Stars | Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, Anthony Michael Hall |
| Plot | A girl's sweet sixteenth birthday is forgotten by her family |
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What You'll Learn
Sixteen Candles was released in 1984
Sixteen Candles is a coming-of-age comedy-romance film, and it was Hughes's directorial debut. The film is considered one of the best romantic teen comedies in history and is known for its quotable lines and funny scenes. It has received generally positive reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10 on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 61 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
The film has achieved a level of cultural significance, especially for those who grew up in the 1980s. It is known for its portrayal of the awkwardness of adolescence and the challenges of teenage life. The film's impact is evident in its ranking as number 8 on Entertainment Weekly's list of "The 50 Best High School Movies."
Over the years, Sixteen Candles has been released on various home media formats. It was first released on DVD in 2003, with the original theatrical soundtrack, and again in 2008 as a "Flashback Edition" with additional features. In 2012, the film was released on Blu-ray for the first time as part of Universal's 100th Anniversary, and it was re-released on Blu-ray in 2019 to mark its 35th anniversary.
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The film's plot
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 high school sophomore who is about to turn sixteen. On her birthday, Samantha's family forgets the occasion as her older sister Ginny is getting married the next day. At school, Samantha has a crush on a senior named Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), who is tired of his prom-queen girlfriend. She also has to deal with the affections of a freshman, Ted "The Geek" Farmer (Anthony Michael Hall), who is constantly pursuing her.
The film follows Samantha as she navigates the challenges of teenage life, including her unrequited crush on Jake and her feelings of insecurity about her body. She fills out a friend's sex quiz, revealing her crush on Jake, while also fending off Ted's flirtations on the bus ride home. Jake, noticing Samantha's crush on him, asks his friend about her, but she is dismissed as immature. Despite this, Jake is frustrated with his girlfriend's partying and breaks up with her after finding her making out with Ted in his car.
As the film progresses, Samantha continues to deal with the embarrassment of her family forgetting her birthday and the challenges of her first crush. The film also explores the dynamics of high school life, including the social hierarchies and the pressures of fitting in. It portrays the typical adolescent dread and angst of turning sixteen and falling in love for the first time.
The film culminates in a heartwarming ending where Jake surprises Samantha at her sister's wedding. He invites her to his house, brings her a birthday cake with sixteen candles, and they share a kiss. Samantha's wish finally comes true. Sixteen Candles is known for its relatable characters and compassionate portrayal of teenage life, offering comfort and moments of recognition for young audiences navigating the complexities of adolescence.
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Reception and reviews
John Hughes' 1984 coming-of-age comedy Sixteen Candles was generally well-received by critics and the public, with an average rating of 7.1/10 on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 61, indicating "generally favorable reviews". The film was also a box office success, grossing $23.6 million against a $6.5 million budget.
Sixteen Candles is considered one of Hughes' best films, with particular praise for its star Molly Ringwald, who "provides a perfect centre for the story" in "a sweet and funny movie", according to Roger Ebert. Variety called Ringwald "engaging and credible", and Ebert also wrote that the film is "shot with compassion and clear respect for its characters and their hang-ups".
The film is also ranked number 8 on Entertainment Weekly's list of "The 50 Best High School Movies".
However, Sixteen Candles has also been criticised for its use of stereotypes, particularly the character of Long Duk Dong, a Chinese exchange student who is portrayed as a "potentially offensive stereotype" of Asian people. A gong sounds every time the character, the film's only non-white character, appears on screen, and he is referred to using racial slurs.
The film has also been criticised for its treatment of women, with male characters talking about women's bodies and orchestrating the sexual assault of a popular girl.
In addition, some viewers have found the frequent use of homophobic slurs difficult to watch.
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Soundtrack and score
The 1984 American coming-of-age comedy Sixteen Candles, written and directed by John Hughes, features an extensive selection of over 30 songs. The original soundtrack, however, was released as a mini album with only 5 songs. The soundtrack EP did not include all the songs from the movie.
The film's soundtrack includes songs written and performed by popular artists of the time, including Thompson Twins, The Stray Cats, and Anthony Michael Hall, who also stars in the film. The songs "Sixteen Candles" and "Hey Jude", performed by The Stray Cats and Anthony Michael Hall respectively, were written by renowned songwriters like Luther Dixon, Allyson R. Khent, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney.
The movie's soundtrack also includes songs like "The Twilight Zone" by Marius Constant and "Birthday" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Pre-2003 releases of the film featured a re-scored soundtrack due to rights issues. The 2003 DVD release included the original theatrical soundtrack, remixed in 5.1 surround sound.
The Sixteen Candles soundtrack is a testament to the era's music and captures the film's fun and heartwarming tone. The songs complement the story's focus on teenage life, with its angst, humour, and romance. The music enhances the film's impact and has contributed to its enduring popularity among audiences who fondly recall both the movie and its soundtrack.
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Cast and their careers
The movie *Sixteen Candles* was released in 1984 and became a defining film of the 80s teen comedy genre. It launched the career of several actors, and for some, it was their breakthrough role.
Molly Ringwald as Samantha Baker: Ringwald was just 16 when she starred in *Sixteen Candles*. She had already appeared in several TV shows and films, but this was her first leading role. Ringwald became a defining actress of the 80s teen film, collaborating with director John Hughes on two more classic films: *The Breakfast Club* and *Pretty in Pink*. She has since appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including *The Facts of Life*, *Not Another Teen Movie*, and *Riverdale*.
Anthony Michael Hall as Ted/The Geek: Hall was also a rising star at the time, and *Sixteen Candles* was his first major film role. He, too, would go on to appear in two more John Hughes films: *The Breakfast Club* and *Weird Science*. Hall's career includes notable roles in *Edward Scissorhands*, *Six Degrees of Separation*, and the TV series *The Dead Zone*.
Michael Schoeffling as Jake Ryan: Schoeffling played the popular, older love interest of Ringwald's character. This was his first film role, and he followed it up with appearances in *Vision Quest* and *Mermaids*. Schoeffling left the acting industry in the early 90s and now works as a carpenter.
Haviland Morris as Caroline Mulford: Morris played the wealthy and popular Caroline, who is set up with Jake Ryan. *Sixteen Candles* was her film debut, and she went on to appear in *Who's That Girl* and *Home Alone 3*. Morris has also had a successful stage career, appearing in several Broadway productions.
Gedde Watanabe as Long Duk Dong: Watanabe played the comedic role of exchange student Dong, a role which has since become controversial for its stereotypes. Watanabe has had a successful career, including roles in *Volunteers*, *Gung Ho*, and a long-running role on the TV series *ER*.
The film also featured a young John Cusack, who played Bryce, one of the popular boys at school. Cusack would go on to become a major star, appearing in films such as *Say Anything*, *High Fidelity*, and *Being John Malkovich*.
Sixteen Candles was a career-making film for many of its young stars, and it remains an iconic piece of 80s cinema.
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Frequently asked questions
The movie Sixteen Candles was made in 1984.
The movie was written and directed by John Hughes.
The lead actors in the movie Sixteen Candles are Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall.
Sixteen Candles follows newly 16-year-old Samantha Baker (Ringwald), who deals with a seemingly unrequited crush on high school senior Jake Ryan (Schoeffling) while also being pursued by freshman Ted “The Geek” Farmer (Hall).
Sixteen Candles is a coming-of-age teen comedy-romance film.
