The Brat Pack is back and creating quite a buzz! Andrew McCarthy’s new documentary, Brats, sees the return of some of the most iconic names of the 1980s—Demi Moore, Jon Cryer, and Ally Sheedy—coming together to reflect on an era that defined their careers.
Understanding the Brat Pack Phenomenon
The term ‘Brat Pack’ was coined in a 1985 article by journalist David Blum. His piece for New York Magazine brought together actors like Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, and Judd Nelson under a single moniker that would follow them for decades. This label painted them as a group of young, party-loving actors, overshadowing their professional achievements.
McCarthy’s approach with Brats is both earnest and searching. He admits that he found liberation in speaking to his former co-stars about an era they had left unexplored for decades. I found it to be liberating—to go around and talk to the handful of people who went through this, too. We had never talked to each other about it because it was such a seismic event at the time; we all just scattered and didn’t talk about it for decades.
An Emotional Reunion
This documentary is not just a nostalgic throwback; it’s an emotional exploration of what it means to be part of such a defining cultural phenomenon. For McCarthy, who starred in both Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo’s Fire, it’s also personal. The film seeks answers to why they took offense at being labeled as the Brat Pack and how it shaped their futures.
The Impact of Their Work
The documentary showcases clips from iconic films like John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club and Joel Schumacher’s St. Elmo’s Fire, which propelled these young actors into stardom. The Breakfast Club stands chief among them.
Demi Moore opens up about how she viewed the label differently over time: Why did we take [the term Brat Pack] as an offense?… I felt a sense of it being unjust. I just felt like it didn’t represent us… But I don’t know if I took it as personal over time as you did.
Navigating Past Stigmas
The documentary also dives into how each member navigated the stigma that came with the ‘Brat Pack’ label. Jon Cryer, who appeared in Pretty in Pink, noted how enthusiasm for these stars quickly turned into stereotyping that downplayed their talents.
A Look Back at Influence
This journey down memory lane is filled with mixed emotions—regret for taking offense at a label meant to box them in and gratitude for being part of something so impactful. Through this documentary, McCarthy poses reflective questions that resonate beyond the screen, questioning whether accepting the label and moving on might have been the better response.
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