Don't You Forget About Me

Most of us have not gone untouched by John Hughes' work. Even though John Hughes became MIA in 1991 (he continued to write screenplays but most often did so under a pseudonym), his teen comedies/dramedies of the 1980s are still as relevant today in 2011 as they were in 1984. Whether you wish you were singing "Twist and Shout" in the middle of downtown Chicago like Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller's Day Off or have longed for the ideal ideal guy like Samantha Baker does in Sixteen Candles, we all can relate to John Hughes' films. I have always wished Ferris Bueller was my best friend and no actor will ever be a better "ideal" high school boy than Michael Schoeffling (his look is timeless!) was in Sixteen Candles. For me personally, I find myself relating to most John Hughes' movies...except for Weird Science...

Considering the impact John Hughes has made on teenagers spanning three generations and given his abrupt exit from Hollywood, it is no wonder that four young aspiring filmmakers in 2008 went on a search to find John Hughes. Don't You Forget About Me is a documentary that chronicles the journey of these four aspiring filmmakers on their search for John Hughes. Along the way, the filmmakers talk about how John Hughes' movies changed their lives, they talk to teens of today to learn what they think of his films, and they interview some of the stars of these beloved classics (Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy to name a couple) in addition to other people in the movie industry (Roger Ebert, producers, current filmmakers). The common theme of what everyone has to say about John Hughes is that no one has been able to replicate what he did. Unlike teen movies of today which generally are all about the cheap gimmicks to attract their audiences, Hughes' movies have a heart. I think most would agree that Hughes' movies show a respect for their teenage audience rather than dumb things down. I think most importantly though, every teen interviewed in this documentary said the characters in Hughes' movies are relatable: they look, they talk, and they act like someone you would know or did know in high school.

Ultimately, these filmmakers' journey from Canada to Lansing, Michigan (Hughes' hometown) ends in 2009 in a Chicago-suburb that Hughes calls home. The filmmakers' goal is to land an interview with John Hughes and ask why he left Hollywood when he did. But, how does one go about approaching John Hughes? Will he be receptive to these aspiring filmmakers? These are all things you will have to find out for yourself by watching the documentary.

One quick note: this documentary is somewhat timely. Shortly before its release, John Hughes suddenly passed away after suffering a heart attack in Manhattan. This documentary obviously is dedicated to him and honors his memory; you only have to hear how much people love his work and loved him as a person to know that.

~Erin