Whether it was Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, or St. Elmo’s Fire, you’ve probably come across a John Hughes film at least once in your life. Hughes’ films have brought us laughter, tugged on our heartstrings, and captivated audiences for decades.
Andrew McCarthy is one of the many actors known for his roles in Hughes’ films in the 80s. McCarthy was also considered part of the infamous “brat pack,” a term for the young actors that starred in Hughes’ films. McCarthy is a now a documentarian and recently set out to speak with previous co-workers who, like him, were labeled as part of the “brat pack.”
In collaboration with Hulu, McCarthy released the new documentary, Brats, on June 13. The film features exclusive interviews with other 80s actors as they discuss the personal and professional impact of being part of the “brat pack.”
“Brat Pack” Films and Actors
Many of Hughes’ films, like St. Elmo’s Fire, The Outsiders, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, all have one common denominator — they all include coming-of-age characters who all carry their own traumas, fears and weaknesses. Through these films, John Hughes created a pivotal moment in cinema during the 80s that reached the hearts of millions of young people. For once, young viewers felt seen and heard.
“These are considered the golden age of youth cinema.”
– Susannah Gora (Author of You Couldn’t Ignore Me If You Tried)
He also catapulted a new generation of actors to fame through their roles in his films. So who was part of the brat pack? Actors including Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy, Demi Moore, and Anthony Michael Hall belonged to the group.
The Origin of the Term “Brat Pack”
On June 10, 1985, New York Magazine journalist David Blum wrote an article after an exclusive interview with actor Emilio Estevez. The article went on to describe Estevez’s Thursday night along with his co-stars. Blum described Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, and Rob Lowe as “party boys” who, although they delivered amazing performances, were really brats who didn’t deserve the spotlight and recognition they received. Blum included every precise detail on the boys’ behaviors that night, which included flirting with women, drinking heavy amounts of liquor, and cutting lines at exclusive clubs, dubbing the three actors as the “brat pack.”
The article quickly created buzz around the “brat pack,” who were now considered spoiled kids who used their celebrity status to get what they want, whenever they want. The term expanded to include other prominent young actors of the time and became widely used across other media outlets. Estevez and the other young actors who were included in the article saw it as a jab towards their talent and careers.
Brats Highlights
In the documentary, Andrew McCarthy dives deeper into the term that affected his career and life. He feels that since the release of Blum’s article, he and his co-stars were perceived unjustly by the public and media. Along with documenting his experience, he interviewed other brat pack members to give their insight about the New York Magazine article, speaking with stars like Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, and Jon Cryer. Many acknowledge the negative impact of the term that affected their careers, while other actors (now middle-aged adults), can’t wrap their heads around why they took it so personally.
The Hulu original also includes a one-on-one interview between Andrew McCarthy and the journalist who wrote the controversial article on the the young actors, David Blum. The awkward tension between both the journalist and actor is evident on camera. During the confrontation and interview, feelings of regret, lack of remorse, and acknowledgment all come to the surface. But do they bury the hatchet? You can find out by watching Brats, streaming now on Hulu.
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