The Breakfast Club Literary Elements

John Hughes

Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall

Paul Gleason

Comedy; Drama; Coming-of-Age

English

MTV's Silver Bucket of Excellence Award, ensemble cast

February 7, 1985

John Hughes, Ned Tanen

The film is set on Saturday, March 24, 1984 and takes place entirely within Shermer High School, in the fictional Shermer, Illinois

Brian Johnson narrates short passages of an essay at the beginning and end of the film; otherwise there is no narration. The point of view shifts between the five students and Vice Principal Vernon.

The tone is comedic, confessional, and contemplative; the mood shifts between combative, dramatic, and romantic.

Although there is an ensemble cast, John Bender stands out as the protagonist; Vice Principal Vernon is the primary antagonist.

The major conflict in the film is that the each of the students longs to be treated with sympathy, but each feels oppressed and isolated by authority figures and fellow students.

The film reaches its climax when romances are kindled between Claire and Bender, and between Allison and Andrew, signifying the dissolution of the arbitrary social barriers that once divided them.

Claire's decision to smoke pot with Bender foreshadows the revelation of her romantic interest in him, despite the apparent animosity between them.

With only a $1 million budget for the film, Hughes kept costs down by shooting in one location and including few characters. The film grossed $51.5 million.

Bender asks Vernon, "Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe?" This is a reference to Barry Manilow, a pop singer who rose to prominence in the 1970s and wore shirts with oversized collars characteristic of the era.

Hughes shows parallels between the home lives of the five students, each of whom has a difficult relationship with their parents.