‘Don’t You Forget About Me‘ DVD Review
By James Wallace of Gordon and the Whale
Special for MovieSet.com

DIRECTOR: Matt Austin
WRITERS: Matt Austin, Michael Facciolo, Kari Hollend, Lenny Panzer
RATING: 9/10

John Hughes. It’s a name that is synonymous with our youth. With our teen angst. With our feelings of suburban loneliness and isolation. With both being misunderstood and our misunderstandings with higher authority.

He spoke to us in our language, at a time when we were often spoken down to or written off. And that language will go on forever, helping teenagers for generations to come shout a message to the world to not ignore them, to never forget them, and to fuck off if they don’t like it.He was, and is, a man that will go down as a key figure of formative years, for past, present, and future generations of brains, athletes, basket cases, princesses, and criminals. Like a revolutionary to the cause of both not caring and caring too much.

(R) Director Matt Austin in DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME, an Alliance Films release.

But how could a man so important, so key to our awkward teenage stages, just leave us and disappear, like he did in 1991 when he directed his last film and said sayonara to the world of filmmaking without even a wave goodbye or a fist raised high in the air?

It is a mystery that has plagued many for the last 18 years. Yet, four people finally decided to do something about it! With only a van, a camera, a sense of adventure, and a desire for discovery, filmmakers Matt Austin, Michael Facciolo, Kari Hollend, and Lenny Panzer set out on a journey to find the reclusive Hughes and ask him directly why he abandoned us all. After all, we needed him now more than ever – both in the films we watch and the lives we live.

John Hughes

Their trek leads them from Toronto to Hughes’ home in small town Illinois and everywhere in between. What they find along the way are groups of teenagers that, to this day, even with the endless amounts of stereotypical teen refuse in movies and TV, still connect with the stories and the characters Hughes gave us. They press on in their search, seeing first hand the lingering effect and relevancy the director still has, solidifying their places as messengers for us all.

The lonely travelers also have a little help from their friends – Hughes-esque directors that have taken up the mantle where the man left off, including Kevin Smith (‘Chasing Amy’) and Jason Reitman (‘Juno’). The critics that may have misunderstood Hughes in the beginning, possibly being part of what drove him away, but grew to see him for the artist he was, including Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper. And of course, various members of the Brat Pack. Those actors that brought to life the characters Hughes created. The very characters that were there for us all to identify with, no matter what social circles we ran in. Andrew McCarthy (‘Pretty in Pink’), Judd Nelson (‘The Breakfast Club’), Ally Sheedy (“The Breakfast Club’), Mia Sara (‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’), Alan Ruck (‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’), and more.

All people effected, in some way or another, by Hughes’ prolonged hiatus. All people wondering the same thing we have been wondering. Where did John Hughes go? And why?

The quest for these answers finally leads the filmmakers to Hughes’ hometown, where they do a little good, old-fashioned detective work and find what they believe to be the home of the director. The moment they’ve been waiting for for two and a half years…that we’ve all been waiting for for 18 years…is upon them. They prepare a perfect set of questions, should they be so lucky to get an interview. They write a heartfelt Dear John letter, signing it from themselves for us all. They wait in anticipation, just as we do.

John Hughes Documentary on DVD

And then they wait some more. And then nothing happens. And they leave. And they return home, where 6 weeks later their letter is returned in a self-addressed envelope. And on August 6th, 2009, as we all know, Mr. Hughes suddenly and unfortunately died of a heart attack, leaving us all with so many unanswered questions. Like the unknown punchline to a joke about a naked lady in a bar with with a poodle under one arm, and a two foot salami under the other.

But in the end, it is not the questions that really matter but the legacy of films that Hughes left us with. Films that did not try to give us answers but merely said, “Hey, man, I get you. Even if no one else does.” And that is why ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ works so well as a film. While it starts out as a journey about discovery of a man, it ends up as a journey about self-discovery of what the man represented inside us all.

As one of the filmmakers poses in the final moments of the film, “Is our message really that we want you to come back or is our message just thank you?” That is what ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ is as a film. One final thank you from us all to Mr. Hughes for the stories, the characters, and the understanding he gave to the teenagers of world.

It is this humble critic’s opinion that Hughes knew what his films meant to the masses. Instead of abandoning us, I’d like to think that John said what he wanted to say and simply retired, allowing the next batch of Hughesian filmmakers – the Apatows and the Smiths and the Reitmans – to come along and carry the torch.

In return, all I think he would have wanted is for us to always remember his films…remember the laughter they provided…remember the understanding and insight they provided…remember the message they provided. That there is someone or something out there that understands you, even if no one else does.

Don’t worry, John. We won’t forget these things. We won’t forget about you. Thanks to your films. Thanks to this film.

Gordon and the Whale remembers John Hughes

Check out James’, and the rest of the Gordon and the Whale staff’s, retrospective on John Hughes & his films.

Don’t You Forget About Me Trailer

More Don’t You Forget About Me

• Official ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ Blog
• Official ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ Website

Top Ten John Hughes Film

Everyone loves at least one John Hughes movie! It’s a fact I looked it up. With John Hughes you can pretty much re-arrange his classic films in any order because fans celebrate his entire catalog.

I happen to love almost every John Hughes movie (he wrote the story for Drillbit Taylor… Seth you could have saved this couldn’t you?) Anyway, let us celebrate ten films from Mr. Hughes that no matter what time they’re on, or at what point in the film we enter upon, we will watch (again) till the end.

10) Sixteen Candles

Before you ask, yes, you can borrow my underpants.

9) Weird Science

It’s 2009 and there still isn’t an app for making a babe-servant?! Damn it!

8) Some Kind of Wonderful

There might be some middle ground between empty handed and diamond earrings worth exploring?

7) The Great Outdoors

How many people have now dressed in the same outfits in order to chase a bat out of their cabin?

6) Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Shower ring salesmen everywhere begin to diversify their pitch based on Candy’s expertise.

5) Uncle Buck

Always show the appliance who’s boss!

4) The Breakfast Club

If you haven’t seen this movie, you better see it quick before Family Guy spoofs every single scene.

3) National Lampoon’s Vacation

Rusty can really pound’em back.

2) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Technology may have very well taken away future generations ability to create a “Ferris Day Day Off”?.

1) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Christmas Vacation, the gift that keeps on giving year after year! A perfect comedy.

John Hughes 1950 – 2009 RIP.

Part of MovieSet’s Remembering John Hughes special series

“DVD Viewpoint” Review of ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ By Bradley Carver
for MovieSet.com

Rarely have any movies touched base with who teenagers really are as the movies directed by John Hughes. They capture the innocent spirit that has been lost in the films of today. ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ is a documentary by a group of inspiring young directors that pays homage to John hughes, and attempts to figure out why John Hughes faded from the spotlight.

The documentary focuses on John’s major, and most memorable works which includes, ‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘Sixteen Candles’, ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’, ‘Pretty In Pink’, and ‘Weird Science’.

Director John Hughes

The group of directors travel a great distance in hope of finding The man who, perhaps unknowingly, has impacted so many lives with his movies. Along their way they discuss what makes him, and his work so great, and include interviews with actors and actressess from his films. They even talk with local teenagers about John’s films. All in all everyone seemed to agree that John Hughes was missed, and that the world could use more movies like his.

I have to say that I agree as well. Movies such as the ones John Hughes directed are far better remembered than the ones of today, because people found a unique familiarity in them that has been lost, but one that is most urgently needed in the world today.

Part of MovieSet’s Remembering John Hughes special series

By KL Hedberg
for MovieSet.com

Filming began in 2006. On August 6th of this year, my generation and those that have followed, lost a legendary storyteller. John Hughes sudden death at 59 was like losing a family member for many of us who saw his films as a mirror of our teenage years. I grew up in Evanston, Illinois, the setting for many Hughes films. I can remember fellow classmates trying to be extras when he posted open calls for his films. The excitement of Hollywood coming to the Midwest was more than we could bear. When the films were then released in theatres, we would try to spot our friends or classmates in the scenes. There really wasn’t a need to seek anyone out in particular as each character was our classmate or friend. We saw ourselves in each cast member. We saw our parents, grandparents, friends, those we aspired to be and those we mocked due to painful insecurities. This year was my 25th high school reunion. Instead of attending the event, I chose to watch “Sixteen Candles”. That was the high school time I chose to remember. (In case you wonder who I most relate to in his films, think Joan Cusack’s character in “Sixteen Candles”.)

“Don’t You Forget About Me” sets out to find the reclusive John Hughes shortly before we lost him. Four filmmakers pursue their quest to find Hughes in order to convey to him what he means to them and all of us. Fans of Hughes will revel in the nostalgia of film clips, music and interviews they have assembled. You can’t help but tear up when you see Jake Ryan kiss Samantha Baker over her birthday cake or see Annie Potts and Molly Ringwald slow dance while “Cherish” plays in the background. Interviews with cast members, filmmakers, co-workers, students and film critics are too few in this film. I could have used less time with the four filmmakers and more in-depth conversation with those who thought they knew him best or wished they still had contact with him. Comments from Roger Ebert were especially poignant.

Don't You Forget About Me - Film Team

Hughes chose to remove himself from the chaos of Hollywood and retreated back to his Midwest roots over a decade ago. He chose to live a reclusive life surrounded by his family, a life that many will never understand. Interviews with Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Andrew McCarthy and current filmmakers Kevin Smith and Jason Reitman convey sadness at the loss of Hughes not only as a filmmaker, but for some as a friend. Many send him a message through the screen in hopes of conveying to him the importance he has held in their lives. Current teens state that they have seen films like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” repeatedly and that it is more meaningful today than upon its release. These teens state that no one makes films of this caliber anymore. They can’t relate to today’s characters like they can the cast of “The Breakfast Club”. His characters were authentic. They were bullies, jocks, beauty queens and misfits. They were us.

In the final scenes of the film, we see the four filmmakers quest take them to Hughes hometown. I have real difficulties with this scene. If these four people knew Hughes and heard the messages in his films, they would have respected the fact that he stepped out of the limelight. He had his reasons. Reasons we may never know. Let’s remember him for all he gave us, not for what we selfishly missed when he left the industry. We and generations to come will never forget the genius of John Hughes. His body of work will serve as window into the hearts and souls of teenagers everywhere. This film serves as a reminder that we will never see the likes of him again and along with him we have all lost a part of our innocence.

Risky Business

Dancing around in your underwear goes mainstream.

Sure, his upper teeth are not centered (doesn’t that bother everyone?) and he believes in Scientology (two strikes) but he did marry Katie Holmes and brought us the memorable wild ride that is Risky Business… break even???

“College women can smell ignorance… like dog shit.”

-Joel Goodson

Rushmore

Wes Anderson and Jason Schwartzman, Epic!

Jason Schwartman (Max Fisher) embraces all extra-curricular activities with reckless abandon in this Wes Anderson gem. Add the incomparable Bill Murray (Herman Blume) to the fray and a classic was born.

“My top schools where I want to apply to are Oxford and the Sorbonne. My safety’s Harvard.”

-Max Fisher

Heathers

Starring Wino Forever.

Winona Ryder steps into the outlet store that’s selling my heart, picks it up, thinks about buying it, decides not to pay for it but doesn’t put it down, instead she slides it up under her shirt and boldy lifts me to freedom as our two hearts beat as one. Plus a lil’ murder just to change the taste from the usual 80s high school flick.

“Well, it’s just like – they’re people I work with, and our job is being popular and shit.”

-Veronica Sawyer

Pump Up the Volume

Stab them with your plastic forks!

One of my favorite movies for sure, Christian Slater delivers as pirate radio saviour Hard Harry. So many great quotes, let’s get right to them.

“Eat your cereal with a fork and do your homework in the dark.”

“Remember my dear, I can smell a lie like a fart in a car.”

- Mark Hunter

“I’m the Eat me, beat me lady.”

-Nora Diniro

Dead Poets Society

Oh Captain, my captain

A deeply powerful story of a professors ability to inspire his students to seize each day, challenge the status quo and think for themselves.

“I was the intellectual equivalent of a 98-pound weakling! I would go to the beach and people would kick copies of Byron in my face!”

-John Keating

Superbad

So, you do or you don't want alcohol... either way, either way, either way's fine

I bow down to you Seth and Evan for writing the funniest high school movie of… well ever! Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, McLovin… damn it, I’m gonna stop writing this and go watch it again right now.

…abs so sore, laugh much loudly…ahhhhhh   k, totally still love this movie!

“All right, you look like a future pedophile in this picture, number 1. Number 2: it doesn’t even have a first name, it just says McLovin”!

-Seth

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Pre-internet ditching school, oh so different than post.

Matthew Broderick ditches school and twists and shouts his way into the collective consciousness of students everywhere. I want to mess with my principle, I want to drive a Ferrari, I want to rock out on the top of a float and I want my friends there with me!

“Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you’d have a diamond.”

-Ferris

Dazed and Confused

I keep getting older, this movie keeps staying the same awesomeness, yes it does!

This movie has just about everything you want, Matthew McConaughey, “Fat” Affleck, and Wiley Wiggins grabbing his nose and sighing in every scene… come on, it’s perfection! I remember when I had Kegs delivered to early to my house, my Dad just kept them so I still had to pay and he drank’em… well played Pops.

“Behind every good man there is a woman, and that woman was Martha Washington, man, and everyday George would come home, she would have a big fat bowl waiting for him, man, when he come in the door, man, she was a hip, hip, hip lady, man.”

-Slater

The Breakfast Club

The perfect movie to represent the 80s innocence that we will never see again.

Would John Bender really show up to detention (especially on Saturday!) Ahh, but he did and so did the jock, nerd, princess and recluse. We could identify with each character, we spoke the same language and that is why John Hughes owned the 80s! Plus “Don’t You” by Simple Minds at the end…(I’m typing with my left hand ’cause my fist is in the air)

“Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?”

-John Bender

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Spicoli, you will play a gay man in a movie called Milk and win an Oscar...what do you mean, bogus?

You don’t just fall out of love…ok…I mean if Phoebe Cates slipped her red bikini off in Breakfast Club it would be number one, but she didn’t, so it isn’t! This movie affected males in many ways, I for one became very interested in girls who liked eating carrots, which led me to persue a career in whoreticulture briefly as an adult.

“All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I’m fine.”

-Spicoli

Well, there’s ten of the finest High School films ever made…don’t agree? Rant in the comments and get your favorite flicks in the next list.

Love you,