Movie Review: Pretty in Pink (1986)

★★★★★

Every time I watch it, I’m reminded why Andie mattered so much. It’s not just a love story it’s a story about self-respect.

Marissa M.

Illinois

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Pretty in Pink

1986

When people think of ’80s teen movies, Pretty in Pink (1986) is always in the conversation. It’s one of the iconic entries from the John Hughes universe, though this one was directed by Howard Deutch, with Hughes writing the screenplay. It stars Molly Ringwald in her most defining role as Andie a smart, stylish teen from the wrong side of the tracks navigating love, class conflict, and prom dress dilemmas.

On the surface, Pretty in Pink might seem like just another high school romance. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find a film that says a lot about identity, class division, emotional vulnerability, and the painful beauty of growing up.

At BoxReview.com, we don’t just revisit classic teen films for nostalgia we revisit them to explore why they still resonate. And Pretty in Pink absolutely still matters.

More Than a Love Triangle

Everyone remembers the love triangle between Andie, Blane (Andrew McCarthy), and Duckie (Jon Cryer). On paper, it’s classic Hughes: girl from a modest background gets caught between the sensitive rich kid and the quirky best friend who’s secretly in love with her.

But here’s the thing that’s often overlooked Pretty in Pink isn’t really about choosing a boy. It’s about choosing yourself. Andie, unlike many other teen protagonists from the era, isn’t obsessed with popularity or validation. She knows who she is. She’s got a solid sense of style (even if that pink prom dress is still up for debate), a job, and ambition. What she wants is to be seen by her friends, her crush, and the world around her without changing herself to fit in.

That’s a message that still feels relevant today.

Class Tension: The Real Conflict

One of the more powerful and under-discussed elements of Pretty in Pink is its focus on class. Most teen films show cliques, but this movie is bold enough to explore economic inequality. Andie lives with her father in a modest home and wears thrift-store fashion. Blane, meanwhile, comes from wealth, with all the entitlement and pressure that come with it.

Their romance isn't challenged by another suitor it’s challenged by social expectation. Andie is judged by Blane’s friends (most notably James Spader as the slimeball Steff), and Blane is too afraid of what his world will say if he commits to someone outside his class.

This tension gives the film surprising weight. It’s not just about love it’s about how deeply social systems impact our personal lives, even in something as seemingly simple as who we take to prom.

Andie: One of the Strongest Teen Heroines of the ’80s

Let’s give Molly Ringwald the credit she deserves. Her performance as Andie is nuanced, confident, and grounded. She’s not bubbly or aloof she’s thoughtful, emotional, and strong-willed.

What’s more impressive is how Andie isn’t written to be perfect. She makes mistakes, misjudges people, and carries the burden of her father’s stagnation with heartbreaking maturity. In a decade full of manic pixie dream girls and one-dimensional love interests, Andie Walsh stands out as a fully formed character.

And her relationship with her dad (Harry Dean Stanton, beautifully understated) adds another emotional layer. The scenes between them particularly when she’s trying to motivate him to rejoin the world are some of the most quietly devastating in Hughes’ filmography.

Let’s Talk About Duckie

Ah, Duckie. The bowtie-wearing, record-store-dancing, Otis Redding-lip-syncing best friend. Jon Cryer plays him with so much heart and energy that it’s no wonder he became a fan favorite. And yet... this is where the movie gets tricky.

A lot of viewers (and even Cryer himself) believe Andie should’ve ended up with Duckie. And yes, there’s charm and loyalty there. But rewatching now, Duckie’s devotion feels a little possessive, a little “nice guy” trope-y. He loves Andie, but he also assumes she should love him back and that tension is part of what makes the film feel honest.

Andie doesn’t choose Duckie, not because he’s not “cool,” but because she doesn’t feel that way about him. And that’s okay. The film makes a bold (and surprisingly rare) point: you’re not entitled to someone’s heart just because you’re close to them.

Fun fact: The original ending did have Andie ending up with Duckie, but test audiences rejected it. And honestly? They were right. The final ending while imperfect feels more emotionally true.

The Soundtrack: A Character in Itself

It’s impossible to talk about Pretty in Pink without mentioning the soundtrack. With songs from The Psychedelic Furs, New Order, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), and The Smiths, it’s one of the most iconic soundtracks of the ’80s and it doesn’t just set the tone; it defines it.

The final scene, scored to OMD’s “If You Leave,” is unforgettable. Even if you don’t love the way the story ends, the emotional rush of that prom moment, drenched in synth and emotion, is hard to deny.

Final Thoughts from BoxReview.com

At BoxReview.com, we love movies that don’t just reflect a moment in time, but transcend it. Pretty in Pink is more than just a teen romance it’s a film about self-worth, the weight of social pressure, and the bittersweet beauty of finding your place.

It’s honest about how hard high school can be not just because of crushes, but because of class, family, and figuring out who you want to be when the world keeps trying to define you.

For all its flaws (yes, the prom dress is still controversial), Pretty in Pink remains one of the most emotionally sincere teen movies ever made.

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Pretty in Pink

1986