Breakfast Club Analysis

A short overview of the inner-workings of the hit 80's classic "Breakfast Club".
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[@nicholasjoost5111]

What interests me is that Brian is revealed to be the character who is more lost and depressed than all of them. He's a "parent's wet dream." A good student. Unassuming and apparently stable on first glance. Brian thinks he wants to be like the rest of the characters: a bad boy, an athlete, popular, and mysterious. But the truth is actually the reverse: the rest of the characters want what Brian has. Their pain comes from their relationship with their parents and a lack of feeling loved by them.

[@AleisterCrowleyMagus]

Yes, exactly! Well put. Allison and Brian, I think, are by far the two most tragic characters...Allison is there because she had nothing better to do (as she says herself). Her parents seem well-off yet she is very neglected and very lonely (nicest car except for Molly's dad and she is seeing a therapist which was a bit of a luxury in those days). But she does get the handsome guy (Emilio Estevez) at the end. But yeah Brian doesn't get crap unless being able to speak for the group means something. Also, his problem is still an on-going one as the "C" in shop, his best outcome if he fails the assignment, would keep him out of any Ivy League schools (which I think was the idea).

[@Superchick2]

The rest of the characters may want what Brian has, until they find out that he's under so much pressure to be a straight-A student that he was considering blowing his brains out over a failing grade. With a flare gun; no less! His Mom seemed to be pretty tough on him, telling him he'd "better find a way to study" as he exited her car.

[@jamesslick4790]

..And he does not get "paired up" with anyone. :( Poor Brian. Of the guys, He is likely the best "pick" for either girl at the end of the day.

[@lmc4964]

@@jamesslick4790 the nerd never gets the girl

[@scoopduna]

I just used this comment in an essay I had to write about the movie. Thank you for your great observation and attention to details with this comment.

[@danielkeeling3895]

The one thing I disliked about the breakfast club is that everyone ends up reasonably close to happy apart from Brian. The movie just abuses him

[@lukelichtenthal5407]

Dan Fishmaster Just because he didn't kiss anyone doesn't mean he was abused. There doesn't always have to be a love interest you know.

[@sapincule8119]

I disagree, Brian got the best ending. He made friends. He didnt have friends and he wanted them to be friends, in the scene where he asks them what will happen when school starts on Monday, will we all be friends.

[@bretttoombs2465]

Brian became more confident. His growth was internal rather than external. With this internal growth...he will eventually receive external acceptance.

[@FenrirFire18]

They all wanted what Brian had at home. He was the only one who couldn't relate with the rest. They still accepted him because it didn't make him perfect. In the end Brian was a winner too, because he now had new friends, something his parents could never choose for him.

[@mme.veronica735]

It also abuses Claire horribly

[@ms.givens4382]

The movie made me want to get detention...

[@call_me_va]

The movie made me want to have detention on my country

[@dennis8309]

I had a few, nope not fun...😂

[@carrottimmith262]

the breakfast club makes me miss a generation i wasnt even appart of, i can watch that movie 1,000x before it will get old

[@JayRaphaelJiaoInot]

the 80's was the perfect decade to introduce the teenage differences between their and the past generation of kids time. we kids of the 2000's even relate in this movie because kids in every generation are always different.....

[@erdalyurtseven988]

Yes... yes... thank you :D

[@temporarymomentary]

Killing individuality creates mindless sheep​.

[@p.atrickclarke]

"We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish as fools"

[@jerrycollins-doc9959]

@@p.atrickclarke not while we have social media

[@p.atrickclarke]

@@jerrycollins-doc9959 thats exactly why we perish

[@carsonfrith6801]

This is exactly what the media and big corporations do

[@BuryingYoungTalent]

I actually cried at the end. The amount of depth in this movie is astonishing. And the janitor was such a fucking badass lmao.

[@TonyDAnnunzio]

How was he a badass?

[@mattslupek7988]

@@TonyDAnnunzio He let them know that he wasn’t just “a peasant, serf, or peon”, but that he sees their notes, goes in their lockers (shook his keys), listens to their conversations, et cetera. He’s the eyes and ears of that institution, and he told them so. He let them know how much power and control he really had. That’s why he’s a badass.

[@TonyDAnnunzio]

@@mattslupek7988 never thought I’d it like that

[@mattslupek7988]

@@TonyDAnnunzio Neither did they. Lol

[@Furtivo95]

interesting how smoking weed was used by Hugh as the key for the students to take off their social masks for the first time. Then you see them sitting in a semi circle ⭕️ actually facing each other for the first time as a recognition of each other’s individuality.

[@jamesslick4790]

Genius setup to make the all equal.

[@johnhsmckay]

Drugs are often a gateway to helping people overcome their insecurities. The problem is that its not an emotionally healthy or mature way to address that issue and its not sustainable long term.

[@Faith-zt6cf]

I liked your insight about the kids embodying their parents' beliefs and the identity crisis arising from it. I didn't notice that and now see how much that contributed to their teenage angst. Thanks for this Incredible, short analysis! It sure is a film that will impact generations of people to come. :)

[@meganc1833]

Yea, most kids don't noticed I until they are much older about the deep meanings in the movies...thats why I think after this whole thing that they still talk to each other at school not much but a hi here and there

[@prizzzma]

this movie is awesome, feels like a deconstruction of the sterotipes.

[@temporarymomentary]

prizzzma Its way deeper than that.

[@jamesslick4790]

It IS exactly that. 👍😊👍 and I was "there" in real life (HS Class of 1980).

[@darlalathan6143]

I'm HS Class of 1980, too! Only I graduated from an inner-city school, where I got mugged in front of the principal's office! @@jamesslick4790

[@AleisterCrowleyMagus]

Predicted outcomes for characters?! Please respond with ideas. I'll choose Brian: Brian doesn't make it into an Ivy League school because of his "C" in shop but during his interview for Cal Tech he charms the interviewers by telling them about the whole "breakfast club" incident. Brian graduates from Cal Tech, and gets accepted into a Ph. D. program at Stanford, but drops out to start a tech company with his roommate (google before google). He becomes a Silicon Valley billionaire. He has a beautiful AND intelligent wife (he meets her while she works in public relations at his company). Because of his own experience with depression, he becomes a great philanthropist, donating to causes that support children and teenagers struggling with depression.

[@NoItDoesntChange]

aleister crowley I'll choose Allison: Her relationship with Andrew goes swimmingly. She graduates with okay grades, enrolls at an art school, and develops her talent. Her GPA is outstanding. However, Andrew, succumbed to his dad's pressure, and became a raging alcoholic. Allison can't take it any longer and breaks up with him. After graduating, she exposes her work as much as she can; but with little success. She takes a dead-end job, and her life is depressing. Therefore, she makes the decision to save up, and travels the world with her art supplies. She gets inspired, lets herself be influenced by the different cultures, and commits to exposing her work everywhere she goes; taking part time jobs, and exposing and selling her paintings to survive. In her nomad lifestyle, she meets many people and has many summer loves. She's not rich, but she's happy. One day, however, she realizes she's pregnant. She decided to have the baby, and (not without sorrow) put it on adoption, for she's not prepared to raise a kid. This, however was her cue to settle down. She took a pedagogy Master's, became an art professor in a German university, and fell in love with one of her colleagues. Six years later, they get married, and the next year, they have a baby. They all live happily and comfortably in Frankfurt.

[@50centricher9]

where do u get German from? out of all places@@NoItDoesntChange

[@stereoreservoir]

why does this film make me feel a certain type of way. I'm still just a teenager myself so i wasn't even alive when this movie was originally released but I feel very overwhelming sense of nostalgia when watching and listening to the soundtrack. The best way i could describe the feeling this film invokes, is vaporwave. the feeling i get when listening to vaporwave is almost identical to that of the breakfast club. can anyone relate because i feel that this movie was a breakthrough and the tones could be very helpful to my own music composition. farmiliar yet ambiguous nostalgia is probably the best verbal description i could give right now. please someone tell me if they can relate. this movie does things to my soul i can't really explain.

[@MilesCW]

The 80's were defined by new technologies (synth-music). Modern radio pop takes influence from hip-hop and electronic dance music, which tends to be, by definition, more rooted in minimalism and focusing a more beat/rhythmic element. The 80's were more about the melody and how catchy it sounds. This is why most 80's music can be recognized instantly within 1-2 secs listening. Take Wham Last Christmas or Van Helen's Jump for example. These tracks are instantly recognizable - and same goes for the Breakfast Club Theme. A more recent example how times have changed: Compare the Duck Tales 80's theme with the 2017 series reboot theme. I think you'll recognize how time has changed since then through the track. Secondly, you have likely heard a lot about the older times from the 80's movies. I personally think the 80ies were the time were most people experimented in blending certain fantastic themes into the mainstream perspective (Back the the Future, a time-traveling car... Ghostbusters... Psychologists go on a ghost hunt). Ah, the good times. Saturday morning cartoons were the best back then.

[@whateveryouremadatmeforido5497]

You probably heard a lot of 80s music when you were small

[@haydenk2144]

I feel a sense of nostalgia towards kids of 80s, even though I was born in the late 90s.

[@whateveryouremadatmeforido5497]

@@haydenk2144 I feel nostalgic about early 2000s stuff even though I just barely came in to existence.

[@chriscros13]

thats how vaporwave is :) u just said it

[@classicmodernfilms7602]

That is a great review, I really enjoyed the movie and was surprised for how deep it was with the story, the characters, and it's message.

[@youthnation1]

Once again, great analysis! You really need to do more of these.

[@aortaplatinum]

This movie is like an 80s American Neon Genesis Evangelion. Same themes, same tone, same idea of taking these archetypes and cliche characters and deconstructing them, looking at them as people. Next up, we discuss how Allison is a precious cinnamon roll who should be protected at all costs.

[@brontebell7748]

YES OMG, except the breakfast club gets a happy ending hahaha

[@illasha1397]

This was wonderfully done! Keep doing more!

[@STONESGAM]

The thing about John Hughes films is how they all are usually very funny but also manage to hit you in the feels and bring some truth to you. And they are almost all set over the course of only one day or a couple of days or maybe a week at most.(Ferris Bueller, Breakfast Club-1 day), Planes Trains and Automobiles(2-3 days), National Lampoons Vacation and Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, Uncle Buck, The Great Outdoors(1-2weeks).

[@adrianbustamantemart]

Whoa man i like the deep reviews

[@aro_kc459]

I love this movie

[@sallysmith9421]

love this flick RIP John Hughes

[@DanielRamirez-rw2iv]

Honestly this movie was really ahead of its time and this really speaks volume to a lot of generational trauma we are facing today in 2024.

[@Ramblesphere]

Really well done!

[@sirnoname6943]

Was I the only one attracted to the wierd girl

[@mariyatakeuchi9009]

Lt. joker2477 no my friend you were not We gotta stick together

[@RichardCheshire]

You are not alone my friend

[@charliecroft5477]

Same

[@sneakking101]

Nah man, the second I laid eyes on her, I thought she looked pretty cute

[@jarrettchrist]

Not after the dandruff scene

[@lmc4964]

I watched this movie with my 15 year old son last night. Luckily Im a good dad!

[@LordBaths]

Awesome analysis, are you thinking about doing more?

[@simonandrew8268]

Great video enjoyed the analysis🙂🙂

[@BossSorag612t]

wow great review

[@TheDoomerGoGetter]

I wish Brian found someone too in this movie though :(

[@B33FY2011]

I was only 3 months old when The Breakfast Club was first released. I only saw it for the first time round about 2 or 3 years back and instantly loved it and related to it. It's now one of my favourite movies of all time. I watch it at least 2 or 3 times a year now and probably will till the day I die.

[@russellsacks3854]

Matt Groening was a fan of the movie. Bender from the movie is the inspiration for Bender in Futurama. Nelson on the Simpsons is too since Judd Nelson was the actor that played Bender. "Eat my shorts" was said by Bender before Bart Simpson ever said it.

[@philippvonloh7055]

Your Chanel is realy nice (I am from Germany )and you help mehr with my English homework

[@philippvonloh7055]

*me

[@bopitnews]

Do more episodes 👌

[@carsonfrith6801]

I'm 15 and my dad who is gen x (he is turning 51 this year) always talks to me about the 80's and tbh it makes me kinda jealous. Now we have all the media controlling what people think and all these issues posted everywhere

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

There were morons that thought the “media controlled people” back then too. There were “issues” people were concerned about back then too.

[@shawnwithachance123]

i love this movie!!!

[@TheTruthfulAsshole]

The progression is too quick for me. It's forced because of the runtime.

[@bofetada6841]

I think this would be an incredible series in netflix or something. You can tell all their stories from three different stages. The next day the years in between and today. That way none of the material would get old. It could be a layered very stories of 30 years of telling retelling and with different narrations from each character.

[@victorleander]

thank you for the explanation - i am 42 years old and never watched this movie before until today and did not understand whats the story behind even when i lived in the 80ties. is there a movie that tells the story of my generation?

[@HonNey-xi4ef]

This movie is so simple and so real

[@sessionxiii3091]

I had zero idea what you were describing in the beginning. Then again I’ve never seen the movie 🤣

[@breh9243]

Good take

[@drklover]

Now I'm thinking of a sequel... maybe ten years later, where they are in life, and if Bender's in a better place then the shitty life Mr. Vernon described. Kinda an actor's reunion.

[@gapgrlp6738]

What's amazing is that the whole revelation scene where they talk about why they were in detention was a long take with every line ad libbed by the actors- the script was non existent for this scene.

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

That’s revisionist BS. You can read early drafts of the script online and it’s all in the script for the most part.

[@thememesandbox8054]

35 years...that's crazy

[@hschenck3394]

Good essay! What do you think of mine? 🤔

[@MrMojoman1976]

I think he’s actually the assistant principal

[@annoythedonkey]

God this movie is so much more depressing then I thought.

[@kazooplayer3]

I know there are probably a lot of gen xers and boomers in the comments, but I'm a zoomer and I'm here to say that. This movie actually aged pretty well. I don't think the humor is great and I still hate the "weird girl ends up with jock" trope but it's a good film.

[@plumlogan]

Honestly, last movie similar to this was American Pie ... and that was over twenty years ago Hollywood doesn't want to do this anymore

[@y2kmedia118]

Abed and Jeff's drinking night.

[@meganc1833]

Bumped the movie was kinda a remake of a modern breakfast not as good but the same premise. People that you never imagine to be friends hoping together and see they aren't so different

[@jaecobvang1217]

Question, why is it called the Breakfast Club

[@kandy1643]

Airsoft Jaecob when Brian wrote the essay, he called themselves the breakfast club

[@jamesslick4790]

They were there on a Saturday MORNING., Hence, "Breakfast".

[@alextarot]

That is the main point of the movie.. They discussed various school clubs some of them were part of, and those clubs were based in similar interest and archetypes of people. These 5 are so very different kind of people that they would never be friends during week days at school. But, the Saturday detention "breakfast" time showed them how similar their emotions and problems are, and detention experience opened up and changed the perspective of each kid. Judging by their personalities they simingly didn't have much in common, until they discovered in essence they have some common feelings and struggles. Hence they were a sort of a club, only if for one day, thus "Breakfast club". It's all said in the essey at the end of the movie. Great movie.

[@MK-oj6hd]

What I liked about this movie is that...... DO AS MY FUCKING NAME SAYS!!!

[@brendenmiles8564]

Honestly, my biggest problem with the movie is the Principal character. He just feels like too much of a jackass: berating and chastising the kids for really no reason, threatening to beat the shit out of Bender when he finds him on the street in the future and piss on his grave, and all just because he's "afraid of how these are the guys who're gonna take care of me". It just feels too mean-spirited, and honestly sort of spoils the whole film for me (though I do really enjoy all the interactions between the main quintet).

[@RottenDoctorGonzo]

Every generation "improves on it"?

[@mme.veronica735]

This completely leaves out how much of an absolute ass Bender is to everyone. He sexualy harrases and even sexually assaults Claire. Threatens to kill Andrew with a switch blade. Damages school property. Rigs a guillotine to cut the hand off of anyone trying to find his drugs. And has marijuana in his locker! Despite all of this they protect him and even like him by the end of the movie and Claire, the person most harassed by Bender and even sexually assaulted, falls in love with him. I hate all of the characters due to their tolerance of Bender's truly harmful "antics" just because he has a bad family life. What Bender does to the rest of the Breakfast club is inexcusable.

[@anonymichbin2278]

Zonofv 1 i just watched the movie and searched for comments like this. He is the one that wallows in his self pity the most (and is a hypocrite for scolding others for doing so), is hurting everyone around him and Sexually abuses Claire. His character should definitely get redemption, but in a way that shows that he found strength in vulnerability and actually learned something like the other characters. By just kissing claire the movie opened a very problematic archetype of the woman healing the uncontrolled man. He did nothing that would make her fall in love with him or even be interested in him. I really love the movie, but the ending is just disappointing..

[@whackamolechamp]

I agree! Bender was such a tool. To me the perfect ending to the movie would have been Bender being ran over by the Principal behind the wheel of a School Bus as Bender jaywalked on his way home that day.

[@floydlechner2445]

He isnt an ass to Alison and just a little to brian.

[@gina_st.george]

Christ, it's a teen comedy, not a snuff film. You can't criticize someone for not being woke, 30 years before "woke" was even a thing. I hate to break it to you, but you are tolerating things right now that will make you CRINGE in 25 years.

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

@@gina_st.george I’ve never heard a liberal use the word “woke.” Wonder why that is.

[@kevinholmes7285]

What I don’t understand is where does this story get interesting? It’s like the Catcher in the Rye of movies where nothing really seems to happen. They dislike each other and then they like each other. That happens all the times in movies that have more plot to them. What is the real unique part? Or is it’s uniqueness lost because we are so used to such stories already, like Ivan Hoe being the first story about knight hood and what not but overall not actually living up to be the best story of its kind. If that’s the case, what is it that you like about this movie? Why are people so nuts about it? It’s not that it’s bad, but it definitely seems over hyped is all.

[@sampaget8928]

Kevin Holmes I’ve just watched this movie for the first time today and I’d say in reply to you that I think you need to be in the right frame of mind to watch and fully appreciate it. There’s no action or gore, and at first glance it could be seen at white bland. But the fact I’ve just watched it and it still feels relevant today says something. The amount of metaphors and clever dialogue in this film is amazing. I urge you to watch it again and analyse what story is trying to be told. It’s not about where each character specifically ends up, or who they end up with. It’s all a metaphor for the different classes and backgrounds we all have and how, without peer pressure, outside influences, and other distractions, we can all end up finding a common ground where we help eatchother and get along :)

[@jamesslick4790]

LOL! "Ivan Hoe" - Is that a pimp from the 12th Century?

[@kevink4557]

What bothers me is that Brian only got sent to detention for having a gun in his locker...

[@javierbenez7438]

It was a different time

[@mme.veronica735]

It was a flare gun, but still

[@jamesslick4790]

@@javierbenez7438 EVEN In 1985, the police would be involved, IF IT WAS a bullet firing pistol. It wasn't the "Wild West" (Source: High School student 1976-1980)- It was a FLARE GUN, Unregulated TO THIS DAY.

[@jamesslick4790]

It was a flare gun, it started a fire in the locker (scorched locker is seen in the film). Even if legal to possess, starting a fire at school is gonna be trouble.

[@desk.set.]

what i think it was that he never confessed to the reason WHY he had it as someone who's gone through a scarily similar situation to brian, if caught, i would've said i didn't know why i had it. i wouldn't have admitted to planning on taking my own life right there in the school as it just would've caused more trouble

[@richardescobar9306]

Is no one going to mention that the Coca Cola they have in the movie has Cocain in it?

[@dravenstephens9630]

Richard Does gaming um no it doesnt

[@russg1801]

All-day SATURDAY detention in a public high school? Yeah, that's realistic! How did they get a member of the TEACHERS' UNION to work an extra day? And for what, five students? Anybody? I can tell you this NEVER happened so what made the writer/producer even think it was a plausible premise?

[@russg1801]

Oh, the janitor is working Saturday, too, at time-and-a-half! I guess BUDGET CRUNCHES never happened in the 80's, eh? Anyone remember that the country was actually in a RECESSION at that time?

[@chanwtc]

Russ G does it hurt to live a little?

[@desk.set.]

i mean...every saturday at my school this happens i just always thought it was plausible bc they use it as a threat often

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

I had Saturday detention almost every day of my Senior year (1993)

[@chatur_boy]

Breakfast club is such a shit movie it talks about the system weighing down on these guys but ends of reinforcing the system all over again. What's really peculiar is that the movie seems to be stepping in for the wierdos and embracing yourself contradicting itself as Alison the wierdest ends up being changed by the High School Princess and gets the jock and the "dork" Brian who is the most repressed of them of all ends up worse off. Alison should have ended with Brian and Andy and Claire should have changed for the better

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

It’s a teen comedy; guy with a Star Wars name.

[@cyberneticbeast]

lol. it s life. so take it or leave it.

[@barneyrubbles2485]

it was a great funny movie.my buddy that started the nicname barneyrubbles it was changed overnight to barneyrubbles the highschool billionaire.the quiestions started to fly @ me were did i get the money.this was all madeup I MADE THIS ALL UP AS A CONJOB AND THE WHOLE SCHOOL BELEIVED EVERYTHING I TOLD THEM L.M.A.O.

[@jasminejoydicla7264]

I found this film boring actually, I just don't understand the hype around it. I like that it's classic :/

[@cyberneticbeast]

grow up then.

[@RCCarDude]

I truly hated this movie. Among John Hughes worst films.

[@russg1801]

BTW, you couldn't even make this movie today. All the characters are WHITE! Where's the friggin' "diversity?"

[@IvanLendl87]

Russ G If that’s what you’re thinking about it just confirms that you are a racist at heart. You’re trying to cleanse your mind of your own dark thoughts.

[@noufzailai1655]

actually it would have been cool if they included a black teen in that movie as they get to display thier struggles as well

[@robertisham5279]

Diversity is a weakness. Homogeneity is a strength. Anyways there is more to diversity than different races. They were pretty diverse as it was and I don't mean racially. But diverse backgrounds, upbringings, home and family lives and cliques the list goes on. They've got plenty of diversity as it is without bringing people of different races. They've got more than enough diversity as it is.

[@EvanTomiko]

Sorry, but I found this movie boring. It has it's cool moments, but some of them were awkward and with no reason...80's. It's about five guys totally different with different lives and they come together obligatory because they did something in common. They rebelled against society and they got issues with their parents, who doesn't?. But the whole story developed in the same room and sometimes they spoke a lot. I give this movie an 4 of 10.

[@Thecustardcreamcrew]

Adrian Matos So you're telling me that if a film spends most of its time in the same room then it can't be good? Oh no! They also use dialogue to flesh out and develop the characters so that we care about them and want to see them grow as friends and come to terms with one another, because although they have very different personalities and lives, they are also very similar, they just don't realise it. You say that, "they have problems with their families, who doesn't?" That's the fucking point, idiot. It's about a certain time in your life when growing up, trying to figure things out. As a teenager myself, I can relate to these characters for various different reasons, and that's why this movie is still relative in pop culture today. Aside from certain technology, it's very much how teenagers are today, like myself.

[@EvanTomiko]

I slept watching the movie

[@lukelichtenthal5407]

Adrian Matos Screw off. This film did better at establishing more relatable characters then any of the crappy teen films of today. And how dare you diss the late great John Hughes. I can just imagine him rolling in his grave at the mere mention of this comment. Sure the film is slow in some parts but that's what makes it memorable.

[@nanisore4375]

who cares if it's in one setting? lol

[@montc.5238]

Kane SC i mean, i am all of that and this movie just told me nothing. Still wacthing KZbin videos and investigating about the movie, about what makes it so great, cause i just cant see it

[@moralcoach717]

This movie is anti boomer, look at them....so cringy

[@robertisham5279]

So what

[@russg1801]

This review is BS, just like the movie.

[@thecoolones666]

Russ G the only thing that is BS is that you think your opinion matters buddy this is the internet nothing you say really matters

[@Thecustardcreamcrew]

Russ G You're so full of fucking horse shit if you think this movie is bullshit. I'm sure 99% of people who has seen the movie would agree that it is, at the very very least, a fucking good, well made film.

[@lukelichtenthal5407]

Russ G Well I'm sorry that you don't notice quality entertainment when it's right in front of you.

[@russg1801]

My opinion doesn't matter, but YOURS does?

[@elodi131]

@@thecoolones666 then who would care about yours? Or Mine even? i liked the movie but you gotta accept the term "opinion"

[@momorama8832]

This movie is not that good