Movie Review: Sixteen Candles
For many people on campus, returning to Exeter means that we are now restricted to watching movies and television shows that can be found on everyone’s favorite internet streaming services. With that in mind, this week I am reviewing “Sixteen Candles,” the 80s teen classic, which can be found on Netflix.
While watching the film, it’s clear that it was made for an audience of a different time. The racism in this film is utterly unnecessary and mars an otherwise charming film. The character of Long Duk Dong is a shallow, offensive caricature who does nothing to further the plot, or strengthen the emotional core of the film; he only serves to provide cheap laughs at the expense of Asian people. Every scene with Dong pains me to watch. The racism is not all that is problematic with this film. The scene in which Jake “gives” an unconscious and inebriated Caroline away to Farmer Ted is very uncomfortable. The fact that the producers of this film thought it was acceptable to condone date rape is disturbing. It’s unfortunate that an otherwise charming film is ruined in this way.
While some aspects of the film are dated, the emotional core of the film still resonates. With the advent of the smartphone, teenagers may no longer need to pass physical notes in class or share a phone line with their whole family, but we still struggle with our family and dream about our crushes. The timelessness of Sam’s emotional struggles and the empathy we feel for her as she reaches her low point, then triumphs, is what makes this film so loved. I know exactly how Sam must feel when her family forgets her birthday, how she feels when she sees Jake (her crush) in the halls, how she feels when she finally gets the birthday she wants. Molly Ringwald is spectacular, realistic and sympathetic in her role as a typical angsty teen. In her conversations with her best friend, her messy room, fights with her siblings and parents, I see myself. I know how it feels to think your own body is imperfect, how mortifying it must be to have your grandparents point out your biggest insecurity. I know the heartbreak she must feel when watching her crush with his girlfriend, how forgotten she must feel when her family ignores her in favor of her prettier older sister. In watching her story I feel like I’m watching my own story. In her triumph I feel like I’m at my peak too.
Anthony Michael Hall is also a standout as the geeky Farmer Ted. He is another character I sympathize with as he tries to find some social capital as a nerdy freshman. I root for him as he tries to get his friends to think he’s cool, as he tries and fails at interacting with girls. I feel so proud of him when he makes it to a senior party and gets kissed by the most popular girl in school. The high school pressure to be cool is relatable to anyone. Just as I found myself in Sam, I see myself in Farmer Ted.
At its core, “Sixteen Candles” is the perfect coming-of-age movie. It’s so unfortunate that it’s dragged down by racist and creepy scenes that are utterly unnecessary. John Hughes is better than relying on racist schticks to get cheap laughs. He has proven his ability to make heartfelt films that channel teenage nerves so beautifully. “Sixteen Candles” has so much of that soulfulness.