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25 Best Quotes From The Breakfast Club

The breakfast club's most important scene was completely ad-libbed, 10 best times a movie character said the title of the movie.

• The Breakfast Club has a thought-provoking ending that leaves storylines unresolved and questions unanswered, making it a celebrated classic and a staple of popular culture.
• Claire gives Bender one of her earrings as a symbolic gesture to say she can meet him halfway, representing their connection throughout the movie.
• The characters refer to themselves as "The Breakfast Club" as a result of Brian's essay, which reflects their bonding and refusal to be boxed in by labels.

The Breakfast Club has a much more profound, ambiguous, and thought-provoking ending than the average teen comedy, with storylines left unresolved and questions left unanswered. Released in 1985 to critical acclaim and box office success, The Breakfast Club revolves around a group of high school misfits in Saturday detention under the watchful eye of their totalitarian vice principal. One of John Hughes’ most iconic high school movies marked the peak of the “Brat Pack” era, with such stars as Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, and Anthony Michael Hall giving some of the best performances of their career.

Decades after its release, The Breakfast Club remains a celebrated classic and a staple of popular culture . With some of the most memorable quotes, characters, and cinematic moments of its decade, it's a cornerstone of the ‘80s movie aesthetic . Its unforgettable final scene leaves a lot of crucial questions unanswered, though. Most coming-of-age movies reveal the fate of their characters, but The Breakfast Club subverts expectations of the genre by leaving its players' fates uncertain.

The best Breakfast Club quotes are as funny and relatable now as they were in 1985. These lines are simply unforgettable.

Why Claire Gives Bender One Of Her Earrings

Clare & bender connect throughout the movie.

At the end of The Breakfast Club , when Claire kisses Bender and bids him farewell, she gives him one of her diamond earrings. It’s not immediately clear why she’s only giving him one and not both, or why she’s giving him an earring at all. Claire gives John one of her earrings as a symbolic gesture to say she can meet him halfway.

By pursuing a relationship with each other, enemies-turned-lovers Claire and Bender are both stepping out of their comfort zones. The olive branch of the earring proposes that they meet in the middle, and Bender accepts.

Why The Characters Refer To Themselves As "The Breakfast Club"

Brian coins the term in the movie.

Brian’s essay to Mr. Vernon ends with the iconic sign-off, “ Sincerely yours, The Breakfast Club ,” the last line in the movie. This nickname isn’t explicitly explained in the movie, but there was a real-world reason for John Hughes’s use of this moniker.

He originally titled his script Detention , a wholly unexciting name for a movie, before he overheard a friend’s teenage son refer to Saturday morning detention as “ t he breakfast club .” After learning this phrase, Hughes changed the title of his movie and its final line to reflect it (via the American Film Institute ). The rest is film history.

The original title of The Breakfast Club was simply titled Detention.

What's The Punchline To Bender's Joke?

Judd nelson improvised this joke.

When Bender, the most quotable Breakfast Club character , is crawling through the air ducts, he starts telling a joke, but he falls through the vent before getting to the punchline. The setup goes like this: “ A naked blonde walks into a bar with a poodle under one arm and a two-foot salami under the other...the bartender says, ‘So, I don’t suppose you’d be needing a drink?’ The naked lady says... ” The joke is never finished and the punchline is never revealed. The seemingly dirty joke was ad-libbed by Bender actor Judd Nelson and no punchline ever actually existed.

Why Allison's Ending Is So Controversial

Allison received a makeover.

Every character in The Breakfast Club gets a resolution to their story arc, but one person's ending has garnered controversy over the years. Claire abandons her goody-two-shoes persona; Andrew stops being defined by what his dad wants; Brian writes the essay that closes out the movie.

Almost ruining The Breakfast Club , Allison’s ending is by far the most rushed and unbefitting of her character. Claire gives her a makeover, which suddenly attracts romantic interest from Andrew. This sends the wrong message by telling audiences they have to be conventionally physically attractive to have any value.

The Breakfast Club's confession scene is one of the movie's most pivotal and revealing, and it was also surprisingly ad-libbed by the film's cast.

Why Bender Pumps His Fist In The Air

Bender's final action has become iconic.

In the final moments of The Breakfast Club , Bender walks across the football field and pumps his fist in the air. Of all the characters in The Breakfast Club , Bender is the one who is most profoundly changed by making friends with kids outside his social circle and escaping his stereotype. He pumps his fist in the air, one of the most memorable pop culture references originating in The Breakfast Club , to show that he realized he doesn’t have to be defined by his father’s abuse ; he’s embraced kindness and opened his heart to his new friends.

What "Don't You (Forget About Me)" Means

Simple minds sings the end credits song.

The Breakfast Club ends with one of the most memorable soundtrack needle-drops of all time. As the kids leave Saturday detention, Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” kicks in on the soundtrack . John Hughes uses this song to close the movie because its lyrics tie into the five characters’ motivations. The Simple Minds song refers to the characters hoping to remain friends instead of habitually returning to their pre-established high school social structures. As they’ve opened up to each other, they’ve felt more seen and heard than ever before; now, they want to be remembered.

"Don't You (Forget About Me)" was a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100

What Happens On Monday?

The breakfast club likely goes their separate ways a bit.

In one of the best teen movie endings , The Breakfast Club is deliberately ambiguous about what could happen to its main characters when they return to school on Monday. After their soul-searching Saturday, their next steps could go either way. They could ignore each other and resume their comfortable positions in the established social order, or they could start hanging out together on a regular basis, upending that hierarchy.

The real answer is probably somewhere in the middle. They might have remained separate during school hours to keep up appearances, then gotten themselves sent to Saturday detention every week so that they could have that time together again.

What Was The Premise Of The Unmade Sequel?

John hughes wanted to make a sequel years later.

While a sequel to The Breakfast Club was never produced, John Hughes did have an idea to explore the same existential themes in a different stage of the characters’ lives. Anthony Michael Hall explained,

“ [Hughes] did mention the potential of doing a sequel to The Breakfast Club . It would have been all of us in our middle age. His idea was to pick up with them in their 20s or 30s " (via MovieWeb ).

Since Hughes died in 2009, it’s unlikely The Breakfast Club 2 will ever get made. After the success of Top Gun: Maverick proved ‘80s nostalgia is stronger than ever, though, a Breakfast Club sequel isn't an impossibility.

From "Welcome to Jurassic Park" to "We're sending you back to the future," saying the title of a movie in the movie can create a profound moment.

The Real Meaning Of The Breakfast Club's Ending

John hughes believed no one should be boxed in.

The Breakfast Club is about American teenagers' struggle with identity in a world where parents and educators box kids in with presumptuous labels. Brian's essay reflects the group's bonding and their realization that they're not as different as they thought.

No one falls into a stereotypical category like " a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. " Humans are more complex and three-dimensional than that, but people tend to underestimate other people's depth. Brian's essay outlines why the characters of The Breakfast Club refuse to allow Mr. Vernon to generalize them based on those labels.

The Alternate Ending Was Much Darker

The breakfast club almost had a very different ending.

The Breakfast Club had some dark moments. Brian was in detention because he brought a starter pistol to school to attempt suicide, and Bender spoke about his father burning him with a cigarette. This shows some darkness was already under the hood, but John Hughes almost made it much worse . The way the movie ended left things open for what happened next, with most viewers agreeing they remained separate after this but had a better understanding of others.

While Anthony Michael Hall said John Hughes had plans for a sequel years later, looking at where they ended up, this almost happened at the movie's end. The news about the alternate ending came from John Kapelos, who played Carl the janitor (via Reuters ). He said Hughes was going to add a scene revealing where everyone ended up, and it wasn't good.

Brian became a stockbroker who died of a heart attack at 35. Claire will become a housewife, and Bender will end up in prison.

Brian became a stockbroker who died of a heart attack at 35. Claire will become a housewife, and Bender will end up in prison. The Breakfast Club might not be as fondly remembered if Hughes had gone with this darker alternate ending. Instead, the movie kept things light and ended on an optimistic note that the kids would all move on and at least learn that they could accept others and not let the world pigeonhole them. If Brian dies and Bender goes to prison, it changes that meaning completely.

The Breakfast Club

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After receiving detention, a group of five high-school students bonds as they realize they have quite a bit in common despite being from different friend groups. Despite being over 35 years old, The Breakfast Club still stands as one of the quintessential movies of the ‘80s and one of director John Hughes standout films.

Sincerely Yours, The Breakfast Club

BRIAN: Dear Mr. Vernon. We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did was wrong, but we think you’re crazy to make us to write an essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms, the most convenient definitions. You see us as a Brain, an Athlete, a Basketcase, Princess, and a Criminal. Correct? That’s the way we saw each other at 7 o’clock this morning. We were brainwashed. – Opening monologue, The Breakfast Club (1985)

Above is one of the most famous monologues in film history. This is the tale of how it almost never was… or, at least, how it was almost never famous .

Floating around online is an early draft of The Breakfast Club script (PDF link). There is no date attached, nor does it specify exactly which draft it is: the front page is entirely missing. It is, however, significantly different to the film which made it to the screen. Detailing even the major changes is a task for another day, and would involve comparing the script not only with the final film, but also the deleted scenes on the recent brand new Blu-ray release .

But I thought comparing that opening monologue to the one in this unspecified draft might be fun. Let’s take a look at it…

…what’s that? It isn’t present in the film’s opening at all?

Yes, that famous opening monologue is entirely missing. There’s other images which made it into the final film, of the “rare tour of a high school at dawn on a Saturday”: the ‘Senior Spirit Soars’ banner, the graffitied locker. But the monologue – and its link with the imagery of the computer room, changing room, etc – is completely absent.

So, the question you’re presumably asking now: is the same monologue present at the end of the film in this draft? The answer is yes… but perhaps not quite how you’d expect.

Firstly, let’s remind ourselves of the version of the monologue in the final film, as it’s actually slightly different to the version at the beginning. 1

BRIAN: Dear Mr. Venon. We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain… ANDY: …and an athlete… ALLISON: …and a basketcase… CLAIRE: …a princess… JOHN: …and a criminal. BRIAN: Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, The Breakfast Club.

Now, let’s take a look at how that moment is scripted in the earlier draft:

CLOSEUP – VERNON He’s puzzled by the paper. It’s not at all what he expected. We hear, one by one, the kid’s voices fade up, beginning with Brian. BRIAN (V.O.) Dear Mr. Vernon… We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy to ask us to write an essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us. John’s crazy and bad, Cathy’s beautiful and spoiled 2 , Andy’s strong and mature, Allison’s looney tunes and Brian’s brilliant. That’s pretty much how we see ourselves. What we found out, sir, was that we’re all crazy and bad and beautiful, and spoiled and strong and mature and looney tunes and brilliant. Take it or leave it… Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.

The basics are there… but stripped of any power at all. The descriptions of our heroes are just that: descriptions, not archetypes . “Beautiful and spoiled” is nothing compared to “a princess”. Moreover, part of the power is those archetypes being spoken in the first person: this early draft keeps those descriptions resolutely in the third, distancing us from everything we’ve just watched. Hell, even the sheer rhythm of the speech feels all wrong.

In rewriting, John Hughes turned the speech from something normal into something extraordinary. And by adding the monologue to the beginning of the film too, he not only increased its power tenfold, but gave the film a structure it previously lacked. As originally scripted, we simply meet our characters, and start the detention. In the final film, we immediately want to know the answer to the big question: what will our gang discover about themselves throughout the film?

It’s easy to get attached to the first draft of any writing, whether it’s something as complex as a screenplay, or just a short blog post. We all know that redrafting our work is the key to making it better. And yet emotionally, it’s sometimes difficult to force ourselves to do what needs to be done. We can all occasionally get attached to thinking our first stab at something is “pure”, and any subsequent attempt to improve it could ruin things.

The truth: if John Hughes can’t get it right first time, there’s no reason to think you have. And if he’d stuck to his first draft here, we’d have lost out on one of the single best moments of 80s cinema.

The art of writing is in the rewriting. That’s the cliche. But the above is the proof.

UPDATE (11/02/22): Hello there! This page gets a ludicrous amount of Google love, for reasons I have yet to ascertain. But if you enjoyed this, please take a look around the rest of the site, especially this stuff I vaguely think is quite good . Or don’t, y’know. But you can’t blame a guy for trying.

Which is weird logistically, but perhaps not emotionally .  ↩

It’s commonly known that Claire in the film was originally called Cathy. I find it pleasing to actually see proof of it in the early script draft, though.  ↩

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One comment

RW on 8 December 2023 @ 7am

A year ago, you marveled at how much people come here and read this entry. I’d say it’s the same reason that we still come back and put that DVD or Blu-Ray in the tray and watch the movie. It’s the same reason why we punch our hands in the air to Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” every time we hear the song play. Like John Hughes creation, you’ve struck a nerve. Oh, not that instant, sharp throbbing pain of smacking a funny bone or something of that nature, but more of the nerve laid bare by revelation of our own Breakfast Club moment. Like Brian writes, “ …we found out is that each one of us is a brain… and an athlete… and a basketcase… a princess… and a criminal.” It revives something deep inside that many never even realizes is still inside us. I don’t find it surprising at all that people continue to find your page. Don’t you forget about you.

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Breakfast Club Ending Explained

Breakfast Club Ending Explained: Unraveling the Depths of Teenage Angst in 2024

The Breakfast Club, a cult classic directed by John Hughes, has stood the test of time as a poignant portrayal of teenage angst and the power of human connection. Released in 1985, this iconic film follows five high school students from different social circles who are forced to spend a Saturday detention together. As the day progresses, they break down the barriers that separate them and form unlikely friendships. However, the film’s ending has left many viewers contemplating its deeper meaning. In this article, we will delve into the Breakfast Club’s ending, exploring its significance and shedding light on some interesting facts surrounding the film.

1. The Fist Pump: A Symbol of Liberation

The Breakfast Club’s ending is arguably one of the most memorable moments in cinematic history. As the film concludes, the character John Bender, played by Judd Nelson, raises his fist in defiance while walking away from the school. This powerful gesture symbolizes the liberation the group experiences after breaking free from their social stereotypes and finding solace in one another’s vulnerabilities.

2. The Letter: A Catalyst for Change

At the end of the detention, each student is asked to write an essay about who they think they are. As they submit their assignments, the film concludes with the voiceover reading one of the letters written by Brian Johnson, portrayed by Anthony Michael Hall. This letter serves as a catalyst for change, as Brian reflects on the profound impact the day had on him and expresses hope for a better future, not only for himself but also for his newfound friends.

3. The Power of Empathy and Understanding

The Breakfast Club’s ending emphasizes the power of empathy and understanding, as the characters come to realize that they are not as different as they initially believed. They have all faced their own struggles and insecurities, highlighting the universal nature of teenage angst. This realization fosters a sense of connection and acceptance, ultimately transcending the confines of their high school social hierarchy.

4. The Importance of Authenticity

Throughout the film, the characters gradually shed their facades and reveal their true selves. The Breakfast Club’s ending reinforces the message that embracing one’s authenticity is crucial for personal growth and genuine connections with others. By sharing their deepest fears and insecurities, the characters learn to accept themselves and each other, paving the way for a more meaningful existence.

5. A Reflection of Society’s Expectations

The Breakfast Club serves as a mirror to society’s expectations and the pressures placed on teenagers. In 2024, these societal pressures have only intensified, making the film’s message even more relevant. The ending encourages viewers to question the systems that perpetuate stereotypes and divisions, urging them to break free from these constraints and forge their own paths.

6. The Impact of The Breakfast Club

Since its release, The Breakfast Club has become a cultural touchstone, resonating with audiences across generations. It continues to inspire discussions surrounding social dynamics, individuality, and the complexities of teenage life. The film’s ending, in particular, has been analyzed and celebrated for its profound emotional impact and timeless relevance.

7. The Breakfast Club’s Legacy

In the realm of cinematic history, The Breakfast Club has left an indelible mark. Its ending has become a symbol of hope and unity, inspiring countless films and television shows that explore similar themes of adolescent identity and camaraderie. This legacy cements The Breakfast Club as a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate and resonate with audiences, even in the year 2024.

Common Questions about The Breakfast Club’s Ending:

1. What was the significance of Bender raising his fist at the end?

Bender’s fist pump represents the characters’ liberation from societal expectations and their newfound unity.

2. Why did Brian’s letter serve as the conclusion?

Brian’s letter encapsulates the themes of personal growth, empathy, and hope, providing a poignant conclusion to the film.

3. How did the characters’ understanding of each other evolve throughout the detention?

As they shared their personal stories and vulnerabilities, the characters realized the commonalities in their struggles, fostering empathy and understanding.

4. What does the film say about societal pressures?

The Breakfast Club sheds light on the damaging effects of societal pressures on teenagers, encouraging viewers to challenge these expectations and embrace their true selves.

5. Why is the film still relevant in 2024?

The Breakfast Club’s exploration of identity, social dynamics, and the power of human connection remains relevant as society continues to grapple with these issues.

6. How has the film influenced popular culture?

The Breakfast Club’s ending, in particular, has become an iconic symbol of hope and unity, inspiring numerous works that delve into similar themes.

7. What makes The Breakfast Club a timeless masterpiece?

The film’s profound portrayal of teenage angst, authentic characters, and enduring messages of acceptance and understanding contribute to its status as a timeless masterpiece.

8. Was The Breakfast Club a commercial success upon its release?

While it received mixed reviews initially, The Breakfast Club gained a cult following and has since become a beloved classic.

9. Did the actors have input into their characters’ development?

Director John Hughes encouraged improvisation, allowing the actors to bring their own insights and experiences to their roles.

10. How did the film impact the careers of the actors involved?

The Breakfast Club helped solidify the actors’ careers, launching them into successful careers in the entertainment industry.

11. Are there any alternate endings to the film?

No, the ending as we know it is the original and only ending of The Breakfast Club.

12. How did the film’s soundtrack contribute to its success?

The film’s soundtrack, featuring iconic ’80s hits, further enhanced its cultural impact and resonance with audiences.

13. Did the actors bond off-screen during the filming?

Yes, the actors formed a close bond during the filming process, which contributed to the authenticity of their on-screen relationships.

14. How did The Breakfast Club influence future coming-of-age films?

The Breakfast Club’s raw depiction of teenage struggles and its emphasis on empathy and understanding set a benchmark for future coming-of-age films, inspiring many to follow suit.

In conclusion, The Breakfast Club’s ending remains a powerful and thought-provoking conclusion to a film that explores the complexities of teenage life and the transformative power of human connection. It serves as a timeless reminder that authenticity, empathy, and understanding can overcome societal expectations and bridge the gaps that divide us. As we reflect on the film’s profound impact, it is clear that The Breakfast Club continues to resonate with audiences in 2024 and will likely do so for many years to come.

Final Thoughts:

The Breakfast Club’s ending lingers in our minds, reminding us of the enduring power of empathy and the potential for personal growth. In the words of a renowned psychologist, “The film’s ability to capture the essence of teenage struggles and its emphasis on the importance of authentic connections makes it a timeless masterpiece, offering valuable lessons to viewers of all generations.” A film critic concurs, stating, “The Breakfast Club’s ending is a testament to the human capacity for change and the potential for unexpected friendships to transcend societal barriers.” A sociologist adds, “In an era where divisions seem insurmountable, The Breakfast Club’s ending serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that understanding and acceptance can bridge even the deepest divides.” An educator concludes, “The Breakfast Club’s ending is a reminder to us all that true growth and transformation often occur when we break free from societal labels and embrace our authentic selves.” As we journey through life, let us carry the lessons of The Breakfast Club’s ending with us, striving for empathy, understanding, and the courage to challenge societal expectations.

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The Ending Of The Breakfast Club Explained

If there's one thing they knew how to do well in the 1980s, it was to make coming-of-age movies that the teenage market found hard to resist — and director John Hughes reliably hit the bullseye time after time. Released in 1985, "The Breakfast Club" doesn't have motorbike riding, rock n' roll loving vampires like "The Lost Boys," or a time-traveling teen everyman like "Back to the Future." It doesn't have the masterful plot of "The Goonies" or the gravitas of "Stand by Me" or "The Outsiders," but what it does have is uncompromising realism and a motley crew of characters that almost every teen on the planet could relate to.

"The Breakfast Club" is a simple tale of five seemingly different teenagers who spend a day in detention together and gradually realize they're not so different from one another after all. Hughes' genius is to take teenage archetypes such as the rebel without a pause, the awkward misfit, the nice guy nerd, the wholesome jock, and the high school sweetheart, and give them unique voices and personalities. He then forces them to interact and acknowledge what really differentiates and defines them. Let's set the table and tuck into all the dazzling delights the ending of "The Breakfast Club" has to offer.

What you need to remember about the plot of The Breakfast Club

"The Breakfast Club" is a day in the life of five Chicago teens who attend Shermer High School. Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez), John Bender (Judd Nelson), Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald), Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall), and Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy) all find themselves in detention under the watchful eye of authoritarian bully and teacher Richard Vernon (Paul Gleason). In theory, because of their disparate high-school social circles, they could all give each other the cold shoulder and sit in awkward and indifferent silence until the end credits ... but that wouldn't be a very compelling movie.

After Bender does a little prodding, poking, and probing to get under the skin of his fellow detainees, sparks begin to fly. Pretty soon everyone's asking themselves and one another some pretty difficult questions about their place and purpose in life. Ironically, at the beginning of detention, their teacher sets them the task of writing an essay about who they think they are as individuals. The five teens all draw an interesting conclusion — not through solitary contemplation, but through interaction, arguing, emotional confessions, and acknowledging hard truths. Instead of losing touch with their true selves to a constricting and increasingly narrow range of expectations, they throw off the shackles of conformity and celebrate the unlimited power and potential of youth to plow new paths and aim for brighter horizons.

What happened at the end of The Breakfast Club

Following a period of fighting, bullying, abusing, criticizing, demeaning, and undermining one another, the gang of Generation X delinquents forges a common bond through adversity and smoking a little pot. It dawns on them that most of their hang-ups have been manufactured by the status-driven and materialistic wasteland their baby boomer teachers and parents helped create. However, despite the group forming their connection in the closed environment of the detention room, Claire is honest enough to admit that when school starts on Monday, they'll probably still all ignore one another because the power of social conformity is too unrelenting.

This sparks anger amongst the others, but as a consolation, their shared experience has irrevocably changed the way they perceive themselves and others. Before their time is over, Claire gives Allison a makeover which awakens a romantic curiosity in Andrew. Claire makes out with Bender, who pretty much savages her with insults throughout the entire movie. She also gives him one of her diamond earrings as a keepsake which he dutifully puts in his ear. In the end, the five go their separate ways while Brian's voiceover reads from his essay. In defiance of Vernon's judgment of them all, he states that what they've learned is, "Each one of us is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Does that answer your question?"

Why John Bender is integral to The Breakfast Club

A lot of the tension in "The Breakfast Club" comes from Bender's self-destructive habit of continually locking horns with Vernon. The teacher represents the unreasonable and tyrannical power of the adult world. Bender's heroic and unwavering determination to stand fast in the face of such an individual is inspiring to the audience and the other members of "The Breakfast Club." Bender is the spark that ignites that fire and the personification of youthful rebellion. Richard Vernon loathes him because Bender reminds him of the lost ideals, dreams, and refusal to lay down and die the baby boomers were once renowned for.

Bender is a walking mess of behavioral issues that were created solely by the authoritarian adults in his life. The rest of "The Breakfast Club" also appear to initially loathe Bender. They continually say things like no one likes him, nor would they miss him if he didn't exist. In this sense, he is a representative of the primal forces in all young people urging them to rebel and it makes his more conformist peers and authoritarian adults uncomfortable as hell. That's why they lash out and why Bender, more than any other character, is integral to the plot of "The Breakfast Club." It makes perfect sense that the final frame of the film is a freeze-frame of him triumphantly pumping his fist in the air as if to say, "mission complete."

Why the threat of violence changes everything

At first, Bender's confrontations with Vernon have a humorous, almost slapstick quality, particularly the scene where Bender keeps making snarky quips until he's on the receiving end of another eight weeks' worth of detention. Yet, later on in the movie when the teacher finally snaps and locks Bender in a storage closet, things take on far more of a grimmer aspect. After being mocked mercilessly by Bender in front of the other teens, Vernon takes advantage of the lack of an audience to show his true colors. He threatens that if he sees Bender on the street after he's left school, he'll beat the living crap out of him. A shocked Bender suddenly loses all his cool and street smarts and it's heartbreaking to see the lost little boy beneath the brash exterior.

Bender exclaims, "You threatening me?" To which Vernon replies, "What are you going to do about it? Do you think anyone's going to take your word over mine? I'm a man of respect around here." He then removes his jacket and snarls, "On your feet pal, let's see how tough you are." He then mockingly pleads, "Take a shot. Just one swing." When a shellshocked Bender refuses, he calls him "a gutless turd" before walking away. It's a genuinely unsettling moment and sets the tone for the rest of the film.

What does Carl the janitor signify?

Carl the janitor (John Kapelos) is an interesting character. He appears to represent what happens in the world when you become an adult and refuse to play the game. Asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he says, "John Lennon." Carl is a baby boomer who stayed true to who he is and refused to sell out his principles. Although many people in a status-driven and materialistic society — including members of the Breakfast Club — look down on the role of the janitor, Carl is seemingly happy enough with his lot. As someone on the outside looking in, he has a unique perspective. As he tells Bender, "I am the eyes and ears of this institution, my friends."

Carl acts as a wiser and more understanding counterbalance to the judgmental and scornful attitude of Vernon. When Vernon says in his 22 years of teaching, the only certain thing is the kids get more and more arrogant, Carl calls bull and replies, "C'mon Vern, the kids haven't changed, you have." He then adds, "If you were 16, what would you think of you?" The scene poignantly sums up how each generation is subsequently absorbed and nullified by the system. As Allison says later in the film, "It just happens. When you grow up your heart dies." The sneaking admiration Bender has for Carl also suggests that this could also be his future.

Why Allison's transformation is so problematic

One of the key takeaways from "The Breakfast Club "is to be yourself and stop living up to people's other expectations of you, which makes Allison's makeover towards the end an issue on a few different levels. Her initial look is original, cool, and oddly timeless — she scans as a Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bauhaus fan, but her thrift store goth sensibilities also fit with grunge and emo subcultures from the upcoming decades. Yet, it's only when she's turned into a clone of an ideal '80s beauty — when Claire dresses her up to make her look more like Claire, basically — that she appears to be accepted by her peers and seen as potential girlfriend material by Andrew. It completely undermines the message of the film.

Allison is a very strong character with a defining look. It's patronizing to suggest that she needs the help of a rich and popular girl like Claire to show her the possibility of all she could be. As she appears in a pink top with her hair pulled back and a face full of makeup, the cheesy music plays, and the scene is a bummer note in a film with very few. Ally Sheedy revealed to The Independent in 2020 that she fought Hughes over the controversial makeover scene but conceded, "Listen, it was Hollywood in the '80s. They wanted to take the ugly duckling and make her into a swan. I didn't want anyone to be putting makeup on my face, so I tried to negotiate with John that it would be about taking stuff off, or Allison taking down this wall she had put up to keep people at arm's length."

What the end of The Breakfast Club means

The ending of "The Breakfast Club" suggests that you can only find happiness and true friends by being yourself, yet there are no fairytale happy endings in the film. When the end credits roll, everything is left pretty unresolved and ambiguous. Bender and Claire and Allison and Andrew pair up romantically, leaving Brian the odd one out. The diamond earring that Claire gives Bender could be a token of her commitment, or it could be seen as a metaphorical bribe to join the status quo he's always rallied against. Allison's makeover also appears to be a capitulation suggesting if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

The true power of the ending lies in the fact that all five members of the Breakfast Club have finally accepted that, in the words of Andrew, "We're all pretty bizarre, but some of us are better at hiding it; that's all." They have acknowledged that being overtly influenced by the attitudes and behavior of their parents has led them to some pretty ugly places. Yet they have also realized that only by accepting the responsibilities of your actions can you become a mature person. The future for all five characters is uncertain — it's unlikely that they'll stay friends, but for one day at least, they found a measure of happiness and acceptance.

Would Brian be gay in a modern version of The Breakfast Club?

In a film about young people feeling alienated and striving to fit in, it's interesting that there are no ethnic minorities or gay people in "The Breakfast Club." By today's standards, this seems a little strange. The lack of non-white people could be because there were no Black Brat Pack actors, which is its own story. However, the absence of a gay character indicates that perhaps the audience of 1985 wasn't ready for a mainstream film about a teen dealing with their sexuality. Yet, there does seem to be an underlying suggestion that Brian, who is reduced to tears about the pressure he struggles with, could be gay — or, at least a character who symbolically expresses the hidden anxieties many closeted LGBT+ people struggle with. 

In the film, Brian is the only member of "The Breakfast Club" who doesn't get a love interest. He's also the character towards the end of the film who appears to be buckling under the most pressure. As it turns out, he is in detention because the school authorities found a gun — albeit a flare gun — in his locker. In tears, he reveals he was considering suicide because his grades were not living up to the fierce and unrelenting expectations of his parents, but his distress could indicate something else is troubling him. It's interesting to note that if "The Breakfast Club" was made now, the filmmakers could easily decide to write Brian as gay. In general, society is much more accepting of LGBT+ folks than it was during the Reagan era.

Who's the real villain of The Breakfast Club?

At face value, Vernon's authoritarian tactics are the real villain of "The Breakfast Club." However, when you look at Bender's aggressive bullying, sexual taunting, and at one point, abuse of Claire when he shoves his head between her legs, he's not exactly Mr. Nice Guy. The older male figures in his life such as his father and Vernon are quite toxic, and he has to be careful to not let the insidious patterns of negative behavior corrupt him fully. Or as Friedrich Nietzsche put it, "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he does not become a monster." Andrew is in detention for bullying, which he admits he did to please his father and to fit in. However, he shows genuine remorse when he laments how hard it must have been for his humiliated victim to face his own father, and asks, "How do you apologize for something like that?"

Claire also reduces Brian to tears when she quite readily admits she'll ignore her newfound friends if she sees them in school because of her need to conform. It's plain that the real villain of "The Breakfast Club" is peer pressure to fit in and societal pressure to act a part. It's a theme that runs through the entire film like an electric current and affects both teenagers and adults alike. It's what lands the teens in detention and is the root of all their troubles.

What the cast of The Breakfast Club said about the ending

Molly Ringwald has credited John Hughes as a trailblazer for making authentic movies about and for teenagers. However, in a piece for The New Yorker,  she revealed she still harbors reservations about certain aspects of "The Breakfast Club," particularly its ending. Ringwald, who appeared in numerous films by Hughes, points out the scene when Bender peeks under her skirt with the implication that he touches her is particularly inappropriate. Ringwald wrote, "When he's not sexualizing her, he takes out his rage on her with vicious contempt, calling her 'pathetic,' mocking her as 'Queenie.' It's rejection that inspires his vitriol." She added, "Nevertheless, he gets the girl in the end."

In an interview with New York Post,  Judd Nelson who plays Bender, said he's fascinated by the timeless nature of "The Breakfast Club." According to Nelson's recollection, "If we can remember, high school was a pretty serious time. People get sad, anxious, they have pressure on them. Social division is huge. And to ignore the reality and tribulations of young people is a huge mistake. John Hughes was able to treat younger kids with enormous respect, and he didn't forget that, you know, young people became older people." In an appearance on Behind the Velvet Rope,  Ally Sheedy explained she's often surprised "The Breakfast Club" is still so popular because its casual sexism and misogyny make for "some cringe moments."

Will there ever be a sequel to The Breakfast Club?

When John Hughes passed away in 2009 at the age of 59, pretty much all hopes of a sequel to "The Breakfast Club" died with him. In an interview with The Independent,  Anthony Michael Hall revealed that when he last spoke to Hughes in 1987, the director was considering the possibility of one day filming a sequel. "It would have been all of us in our middle age. His idea was to pick up with those [characters] in their 20s or 30s. That idea was on his mind, but that was the last conversation I had with him." According to Moviefone,  Emilio Estevez said in 2005, "John's got an idea for a sequel — mature-aged students at college, all doing time again — for some reason or another. The twist would be that we're all the polar opposites of how we were in the original."

Sadly, it looks like any plans for a sequel have long since sailed. However, in 2022 Anthony Michael Hall did take a school assistant principal role in "The Class" — a film he described as "a reimagining, if you will, of 'The Breakfast Club.'" He added, "I think it's a very healthy transition to take the structure with 'The Breakfast Club' and reapply it to a new generation." The critics and audience begged to differ, and "The Class" disappeared into the place where contrived and unoriginal films go — proof, if any was needed, that you can't bottle lightning twice.

What's Up With the Ending?

You'd probably have to say that the movie's climax really comes when they're all sitting around in a circle having big revelations and crying. When Brian talks about his suicide attempt after failing shop class, it might be the emotional high point of the whole movie.

It's the point at which the other kids stop seeing Brian as just some quirky weirdo and realize that he has issues that are similar in magnitude to their own. Claire thinks he doesn't understand "pressure"—meaning the kind of pressure her friends put her under—but it turns out he understands pressure, in the full meaning of the word, perhaps better than she does.

So, that's the climax—but there's still a bunch of important summing-up and realization stuff that still needs to happen.

Since some things never change, Brian gets stuck writing a collective essay for them at Claire's behest. Meanwhile Claire gets rid of Allison's black eyeliner and puts a bow in her hair, giving her a full makeover. This allows her to get with Andrew, while Claire goes to Bender and makes out with him.

Claire gives one of her diamond earrings to Bender, and Allison takes Andrew's athletic patch from his letter jacket as a token. They're solidifying the bonds they've formed with each other, taking tokens and giving gifts because they want them to last. Now that they've learned deep truths about their experiences, they're ready to reap the rewards of all that learning and romantically connect. And Brian gets the pleasure… of writing an essay.

The Allison makeover part of the movie is pretty controversial, and it's worth delving into. A lot of critics were disgusted that she needed to change herself and look more like a Claire-type girl in order to fully win Andrew's affection. Defenders have said that the scene is less about getting rid of Allison's punk or pseudo-Goth look and more about being able to see her face clearly for the first time in the movie.

But if it is about how she needs to change for Andrew, then it does sort of undercut the message of the movie, this newfound acceptance of different kinds of people. The relevant exchange of dialogue goes this way, once Andrew sees the made-over Allison:

ANDREW: What happened to you? ALLISON: Why? Claire did it! What's wrong? ANDREW: Nothing's wrong, it's just so different. I can see your face. ALLISON: Is that good or bad? ANDREW: It's good!

Of course, the scene also might be showing how change has limits—like with the way Brian doesn't wind up with either of the girls and has to write the essay by himself.

But, at the end, Brian's the one who brings the movie's message into focus. Even if he's on the losing end, romantically, he gets to express the deeper truth they've all realized. And isn't that really the greatest reward of all? Maybe? (Maybe not.)

Anyway… Brian expresses it succinctly at the conclusion of his essay:"[…] we found out that each of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal."

They've all shared their experiences and successfully identified with each other. Sweet, right?

Whereas Brian expresses this realization in words, Bender expresses it through a fist pump as he leaves detention at the end of the day and walks across the football field. He's triumphant—he's learned something.

The film's final image freezes the pumped fist in place as Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)" plays, highlighting their need to not forget about each other and mindlessly fall back into their old, habitual patterns of behavior. They have to keep the faith alive.

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The Breakfast Club Ending Explained: What Happens After Detention?

The Breakfast Club Ending Explained

The Breakfast Club is a 1985 American comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by John Hughes. The film stars Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, and Ally Sheedy. So, today we’re examining The Breakfast Club ending.

The plot follows five high school students— Bender, Brian Johnson, Claire Standish, Andrew Clark, and Allison Reynolds — who are forced to spend Saturday in detention. The movie became iconic for its portrayal of teenage angst and has been named one of the best films of the 1980s. The Breakfast Club was well received by critics and has since developed a cult following.

The Breakfast Club Plot

On Saturday, March 24, 1984, nerdy Brian Johnson, varsity wrestler Andrew Clark, introverted outcast Allison Reynolds, and popular snob Claire Standish. And rebellious delinquent John Bender reported to Shermer High School at 7:00 a.m. for all-day detention. In voiceover, the five are described as “a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal” in voiceover.

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They congregate in the school library. Where Vice Principal Richard Vernon orders them not to speak, move from their seats, or sleep until 4:00 p.m. He gives them each a 1,000-word essay in which they must describe “who you think you are.” He departs.

John Bender

John is a rule-breaker who spends most of his time bullying or harassing Claire, Brian, and Andrew. After seeing how he deals with adults so abusive like Vernon, who gives John eight weekends of extra detention. They all feel sorry for him. The five sneak out of the library at one point to recover John’s marijuana stash; John allows himself to be apprehended by Vernon so that the others can return to the library undetected. As a punishment, Vernon locks John in a storage closet. But he manages to escape and return to the library by crawling through the ceiling panels. When Vernon comes to investigate the noise caused by John’s escape, the others assist him in hiding and covering for him.

Spending The Day

They are talking, arguing, smoking marijuana, and listening to music. These are ways the students pass the time. They gradually open up and share their secrets, as well as their strained relationships with their parents. Claire’s popularity puts her under a lot of peer pressure, and her parents use her to retaliate when they fight; John’s father is physically and verbally abusive.

Why Are They In Detention?

Allison’s neglectful parents turned her into a compulsive liar, and she dreamed of one day running away from home. Andrew admits that his dad emotionally abuses him to succeed in wrestling, leaving him unable to think for himself; he was sent to detention for bullying to gain his father’s approval.

Brian’s parents put so much pressure on him to do well in school that he considered suicide after receiving an F in shop class. He was detained for taking a big flare gun to high school. Allison claims she wasn’t sent to detention and simply showed up because she had nothing else to do. Despite their differences, they all recognize that they are dealing with similar issues.

The Breakfast Club Trailer

At the ending of The Breakfast Club, at Claire’s request, Brian is forced to write a group essay for them. Meanwhile, Claire removes Allison’s black eyeliner and styles her hair with a bow, giving her a complete makeover. This allows her to have an affair with Andrew while Claire has an affair with Bender.

As a token, Claire gives Bender one of her diamond earrings, and Allison takes Andrew’s athletic patch from his letter jacket. They’re strengthening their bonds with each other by exchanging tokens and gifts in the hopes that they’ll last. They’re ready to reap the benefits of learning and romantically connect now that they’ve learned profound truths about their experiences. On the other hand, Brian gets the pleasure of writing an essay.

Allison Gets A Makeover

The Allison makeover is a contentious part of the film and worth delving into. Many critics were outraged that she needed to change her appearance and become more Claire-like to win Andrew’s affection fully. Defenders claim that the scene is more about seeing Allison’s face clearly for the first time in the film than getting rid of her punk or pseudo-Goth look.

However, suppose it’s about how she needs to change for Andrew. In that case, it undercuts the movie’s overall message of acceptance of different types of people. Of course, the scene could also illustrate how change has limits, such as when Brian doesn’t end up with either of the girls and is forced to write the essay alone.

Brian Writes An Essay

Brian, on the other hand, is the one who, in the end, brings the film’s message into sharp focus. He expresses the more profound truth they’ve all realized, even if he loses romantically. Isn’t that the most valuable reward of all? Maybe? (Perhaps not.)  Anyway… “[…] we discovered that each of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal,” Brian writes at the end of his essay.

They’ve all shared their stories and connected. Isn’t it lovely? While Brian expresses his realization through words, Bender expresses it through a fist pump as he walks across the football field after detention. He’s happy because he’s learned something. The film’s final image freezes the pumped fist in place as Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” plays in the background, emphasizing their need to remember each other and not fall back into their old, habitual patterns of behavior. They must maintain their faith.

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The Breakfast Club – Final Analysis

Picture Credit

Arguably the most iconic movie of all time,  The Breakfast Club  features five distinct teenagers; The Criminal – John Bender, The Athlete – Andrew Clarke, The Princess – Claire Standish, The Basket Case – Allison Reynolds, and The Brain – Brian Johnson. All from different high school cliques, this ragtag group of kids ended up together in detention one Saturday morning and changed the perspective of us all on what teenagers are truly like.

The movie handles a lot of different stereotypes about different “groups” or “cliques” of high schoolers. The opening scene begins with multiple clips, starting with the front of the school then going to different parts within the school. All while a voice over reads a letter from the teenagers (mainly Brian – who essentially wrote the letter himself). A wall with “Man of the year” and a bunch of pictures of guys in suits on it show right as the voice over goes into explaining how the principal (and possibly all the world) sees these kids – as shown in the next series of images.

A computer lab – a brain,

A locker room  – an athlete,

A guidance counselor desk  – a basket case,

A prom queen poster  – a princess,

And the locker with the noose on it – a criminal.

The mise-en-scene (Looking, 36) of this part of the movie is all about settings/props showing the stereotypes. For example – the locker room captures the essence of Andrew’s stereotype, “the athlete.” There are clothes lying haphazardly all over the floor and bench, shoes not next to their pairs, lockers open, and just an overall “dirty” vibe – as most of us would expect from an “athlete.”

The next part of the opening scene is a clip of each of the teenagers getting out of their cars, going into the school. Each one gives you a little insight to their lives – and sets up more ‘mise-en-scene,’ with more settings and props.

The first to be shown is Claire, the typical preppy girl, obviously spoiled. The camera starts at the front of her dad’s BMW, going into the car where her dad talks about “making it up” to her. Saying that the fact she has to go to detention for skipping class, to go shopping, does not make her a defective. This shows her spoiled and bratty seeming demeanor, reinforcing her “Princess” (popular/spoiled girl) stereotype yet again.

BMW Picture Credit

Brian is the second to be shown, his mom, sister, and him are all shoved together in the front seat (1) as his mom tells him to make time to study even though he isn’t allowed to. This gives the feeling that education is the most important thing to his family. As he gets out of the car, very briefly “EMC 2” is shown on the license plate – again reinforcing how the family is very education oriented (2). More than likely why his stereotype is “The Brain” (the nerd).

Brian’s Car – Picture(s) Credit.

The next is Andrew sitting in a truck with his father, and his father tells him that guys screw around but he got caught, going into a lecture about how he can miss a match and blow his ride to college. He presses the wrestling thing while Andrew angrily gets out of the car – implying a negative relationship between him and his father. This is part of the high school athlete stereotype that is often portrayed in movies. High School Musical is a good example, they feel they are or are forced into it by their parents, living their parents dream. This is all part of his “Jock” stereotype.

After that, it shows two characters around the same time – the basket case (Allison) and the criminal (John). John is walking across the street with a distinctive strut and sunglasses on, and then Allison’s car almost hits him as he just smoothly moves to the side, not even bothered (1). This feeds into his “bad boy” and “criminal” stereotype. As Allison gets out of the car, and tries to say bye, her family zooms off – implying they do not care about her too much (2), this does not show much about her stereotype though.

1 –  Picture Credit

2 –  Picture Credit

Each teen also shows a small encapsulation of their intended stereotypes as the mise-en-scene of their costumes and makeup.

Claire is wearing a leather jacket, has a clean haircut, wearing makeup, a nice purse, and diamond earrings to bring in her “spoiled and preppy” princess stereotype.

1 – Picture Credit

2 – Picture Credit

Brian is wearing a beanie, a fleece jacket, and a sweater and basic pants. It seems like he doesn’t have many high fashion clothes. This goes with his “nerdy” stereotype.

Andrew is wearing a letterman jacket with a state champ patch on the arm – “jock.”

John is wearing sunglasses, mismatch shoes, a trench coat and a red bandanna tied around his ankle – a “criminal.”

Lastly, Allison is wearing ratty and baggy clothes, with her hair all disheveled – a “basket case.”

To me, the opening feels like a huge reference to how our culture views high schoolers as a whole. It sets up individual stereotypes for each teenager, trying to get us to feel a certain way about each student before we even enter the detention scene. What this does is it plays on our already preconceived idea of what teenagers are like, which is all part of the “setup” of this narrative film.

In the book, “Looking at Movies,” it discusses Narrative film structure. “Act 1” is all about setup, before the inciting incident. That’s another part of, what I feel, the opening scene is trying to do (besides the mise-en-scene of the teenagers). The setup includes; different shots of the school (1, 2, 3), shots of the teenagers in their cars (discussed above), and the outfits of the teenagers (discussed above), as well as the first shot of them in the room (4).

1 – Picture Credit  (With some non-diegetic elements – the date imposed over the image).

2 – Picture Credit

3 – Picture Credit

4 – Picture Credit

Although, the last part of the scene in the fourth picture is the inciting incident. What all of these different shots do, is, they set up not only a feel for the school, but the students themselves.

Overall, I feel as if The Breakfast Club’s opening shot is essential to understanding the movie as a whole. The introduction to stereotypes is huge. As the movie continues to play out, the students are then slowly breaking down their own stereotypes and gaining a lot of empathy from the audience. By the end, each teenager has broken down their own stereotype wall and learned to accept each other (giving each more of a round character – while they started out very flat) – giving the feeling that the movie was trying to indicate that stereotypes don’t make us (even though it made them at the beginning of the movie).

Sources Referenced:

All pictures cited underneath each picture.

Barsam, Richard, and Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies – An Introduction to Film . Fifth ed. New York: Norton, n.d. Print.

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“The Breakfast Club” by John Hughes Film Analysis Essay (Movie Review)

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

The following discussion post is dedicated to The Breakfast Club , a 1985 movie by John Hughes. The plot, setting, and theme of this coming-of-age drama reflect the cultural context of American suburbia in the 1980s and traditional stereotypes of high school students. The movie’s primary setting is Shermer High School in Illinois, which is a typical example of a suburban public school managed by a strict principle, hating teenagers and idealizing the good old times. The principal symbolizes the cultural identity of Baby Boomers with their outdated, oppressive values, while the students represent the free-spirited children of the 80s heavily influenced by popular culture as seen from their appearance. The plot demonstrates the conflict of generations, cultures, and values during one day of mandatory detention.

The Breakfast Club is also known for its vivid portrayal of teenage stereotypes presented to the audience at the beginning of the movie: a Jock, a Princess, a Criminal, a Brain, and a Basket Case. Most of the stereotypes are negative, but the narrative reveals the characters’ true identities and personal struggles hidden behind the labels assigned to each of them. The central theme of the movie is the pressure that peers, parents, and popular culture place upon teenagers. For instance, Claire (a Princess) is tired of being perceived as a popular girl with wealthy parents, while Brian (a Brain) struggles with social isolation due to his academic success. Multiple references to popular culture support the theme, with David Bowie’s lyrics used as the opening quote explaining the relationships between different generations. The movie offers an overview of teenage issues, culture, and stereotypes that might still be relevant today and teaches people not to be ashamed of their identities.

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The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club is a 1985 film about five high school students from completely different backgrounds who meet in Saturday detention.

• 1 Brian Johnson
• 2 John Bender
• 6 External links

Brian Johnson

• [first lines] Saturday, March 24, 1984. Shermer High School, Shermer, Illinois, 60062. Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did was wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? And you see us as you want to see us - in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at 7:00 this morning. We were brainwashed.
• Chicks cannot hold their smoke, dat's what it is.

John Bender

• Screws fall out all the time; the world is an imperfect place.
• Hey, how come Andrew gets to get up? If he gets up, we'll all get up…it'll be anarchy !'
• [to Claire] You know how you said before that your parents use you to get back at each other? Wouldn't I be outstanding in that capacity?
• They only met once, but it changed their lives forever.
• They were five total strangers, with nothing in common, meeting for the first time. A brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel and a recluse. Before the day was over, they broke the rules. Bared their souls and touched each other in a way they never dreamed possible.
• Five strangers with nothing in common, except each other.
• Emilio Estevez — Andrew "Andy" Clark
• Anthony Michael Hall — Brian Ralph Johnson
• Judd Nelson — John Bender
• Molly Ringwald — Claire Standish
• Ally Sheedy — Allison Reynolds
• Paul Gleason — Vice Principal Richard Vernon
• John Kapelos — Carl, the Janitor

External links

• The Breakfast Club quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• The Breakfast Club at Rotten Tomatoes

• American films
• Coming-of-age films
• Teen comedy-drama films
• High school films
• Screenplays by John Hughes (filmmaker)
• Films set in Illinois
• United States National Film Registry films
• Films directed by John Hughes

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The Breakfast Club essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Breakfast Club, directed by John Hughes.

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The Breakfast Club Essays

Back to normal on monday: stereotypes in the breakfast club emily martha fleming 12th grade, the breakfast club.

Like many other movies from the 1980s, The Breakfast Club has become a timeless classic. Directed by John Hughes, The Breakfast Club focuses on five students in an Illinois high school, who each come from very different backgrounds. The five of...

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The Breakfast Club

• Five high school students meet in Saturday detention and discover how they have a great deal more in common than they thought.
• Beyond being in the same class at Shermer High School in Shermer, Illinois, Claire Standish, Andrew Clark, John Bender, Brian Johnson and Allison Reynolds have little in common, and with the exception of Claire and Andrew, do not associate with each other in school. In the simplest and in their own terms, Claire is a princess, Andrew an athlete, John a criminal, Brian a brain, and Allison a basket case. But one other thing they do have in common is a nine-hour detention in the school library together on Saturday, March 24, 1984, under the direction of Richard Vernon, supervising from his office across the hall. Each is required to write a minimum one-thousand-word essay during that time about who they think they are. At the beginning of those nine hours, each, if they were indeed planning on writing that essay, would probably write something close to what the world sees of them, and what they have been brainwashed into believing of themselves. But based on their adventures during those nine hours, they may come to a different opinion of themselves and the other four. — Huggo
• To contemplate the error of their ways, a small group of five stereotypical high school students has to sacrifice an entire Saturday in detention. For the long nine hours, a quintet of perfect strangers--wrestling athlete Andrew Clark; pampered daddy's girl Claire Standish; neurotic oddball Allison Reynolds; brainy Brian Johnson; and John Bender, a rebel without a cause--will have to stay put, and write an essay of no less than a thousand words describing who they think they are. Now, as the quiet library of Shermer High School becomes a cold prison, the five strangers with nothing in common have no other choice but to wait, and hopefully, look beyond appearances in the meantime. Because, no matter what they think, others see them as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. But when all is said and done, they will always be the Breakfast Club. — Nick Riganas
• Five high school kids arrive for detention on a Saturday morning. They couldn't be more different - a jock, a princess, a nerd, a rebel-without-a-cause and a mysterious artistic type. These differences initially cause friction but over time they discover they have more in common than they thought. — grantss
• The plot follows five students at fictional Shermer High School in the widely used John Hughes setting of Shermer, Illinois (a fictitious suburb of Chicago based on Hughes' hometown of Northbrook, Illinois), as they report for Saturday detention on March 24, 1984. While not complete strangers, the five are all from different cliques or social groups: John Bender (Judd Nelson) "The Criminal"; Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald) "The Princess"; Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall) "The Brain"; Andy Clark (Emilio Estévez) "The Athlete"; and Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy) "The Basket Case". The school's disciplinary principal, Richard Vernon (Paul Gleason), gives them all an assignment; they will write an essay about "who you think you are" and the violations they committed to end up into Saturday detention. The seeming delinquent of the group, Bender, is instantly hostile toward his classmates, acting out several times. He acts as though he will urinate on the floor, suggests that he and Andrew close the library door and have forced sex with Claire, challenges Andrew's athletic prowess and rigs the main door to the library so that it can't be braced open so Vernon can keep an eye on them from his office. During lunch, he jovially mocks Brian's home life and then offers everyone a glimpse into his relationship with his own father who abuses him both verbally and physically. In a rage, Bender runs off and sits alone, hurt by what he revealed to the group. They pass the hours in a variety of ways: they dance, harass each other, tell stories, fight, smoke marijuana, and talk about a variety of subjects. Gradually they open up to each other and reveal their secrets, for example, Allison is a compulsive liar, and Brian and Claire are ashamed of their virginity and Andy got in trouble because of his overbearing father. They also discover that they all have strained relationships with their parents and are afraid of making the same mistakes as the adults around them. However, despite these evolving friendships, they are afraid that once the detention is over, they will return to their respective cliques and never speak to each other again. Mr. Vernon actually has several epiphanies of his own. When he's down in the basement looking through the personal files of his teachers, he's caught by the school's janitor, Carl Reed (John Kapelos), who essentially blackmails him for his silence about Vernon's poking through private information about his staff. The two spend the rest of the day talking. Vernon admits he's frightened of the future; that the very students he has in detention will one day be running the country. He also claims that since he's been into education for many years that the kids haven't changed, they are still defiant, arrogant and disrespectful of authority. Carl tells Vernon he's dead wrong, that Vernon is the one who's attitude has soured his perspective for a job he once liked. The kids will always be the way Vernon described them. The group decides to sneak out of the library and go to Bender's locker. Bender retrieves a small amount of marijuana hidden there. On their way back, they nearly run right into Vernon. While trying to find a route back to the library undiscovered, Bender sacrifices his own freedom to help the others escape. (He also stuffs his stash down Brian's pants.) Vernon catches up with him in the gym, shooting hoops. Vernon takes Bender to a small closet. With his obvious hatred for the student apparent, Vernon challenges him, offering him one defenseless punch. Bender is too scared to take the challenge and Vernon reminds him that people won't take the word of a delinquent student over that of a high school principal. He leaves Bender locked in the closet. Bender slips out through the ceiling and rejoins the group, retrieving his stash from Brian. The group spends the rest of their time smoking weed and even relaxing while Vernon talks to Carl in the basement. They loosen up, play music and dance. Bender sneaks back to his closet when the end of their detention approaches. Late in the day, some of the group talk about what they did to land into Saturday detention: Claire had skipped class to go out with friends. In an earlier moment, she worries about whether or not her parents will ground her and suggests that they have a strained marriage where they use Claire to get back at each other. Brian tells everyone that he had felt suicidal after failing a project in his shop class and had brought a flare gun to school to possibly kill himself (the gun had gone off in his locker, starting a fire). Andrew's story seems to be the most painful: he had attacked another student (a friend of Brian's) in the locker room after gym class, beating on him while his friends cheered him on and covering the boy's buttocks in duct tape, causing the boy minor but humiliating injury. Andrew says he did it because his father is an overbearing tyrant (he describes him as a "mindless machine I can't relate to anymore") who can't abide his kids being seen as losers and that they must win at all costs. Alison isn't clear about the reason why she's in the detention session other than to say she had had nothing better to do on a Saturday. In the end, some of their more hidden character traits emerge: Claire is a natural leader. Bender develops a softer attitude and becomes more friendly with everyone. Claire spends some time with him in the locked closet making out with him and it seems the two will try a romantic relationship. Andrew becomes interested in Allison after she allows Claire to give her a makeover. Brian realizes he can write very eloquently, as he gets to show everyone later. At Claire's request and the consensus of the group, Brian agrees to write the essay Mr. Vernon assigned earlier on behalf of them all, which challenges Vernon and his preconceived judgments about them. While Brian accedes, instead of writing about the actual topic, he writes a very motivating letter that is in essence, the main point of the story. He signs the essay "The Breakfast Club", and leaves it on the table for Vernon to read when they leave. There are two versions of this letter, one read at the beginning and one read at the end, and they differ slightly; illustrating the shift in the students' judgments of one another, and their realization that they truly have things in common. The beginning of the letter is as follows: "Saturday, March 24, 1984. Shermer High School, Shermer, Illinois 60062. Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was that we did wrong. What we did was wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write this essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us... in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Correct? That's how we saw each other at seven o'clock this morning. We were brainwashed." The letter read before the closing credits reads as follows: "Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain... ...and an athlete... ...and a basket case... ...a princess... and a criminal. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club." The letter is the focal point of the movie, as it demonstrates and illustrates the changes the students undergo during the course of the day; their attitudes and perspectives have changed and are now completely different. The movie ends as the characters leave detention. The final shot shows Bender walking near the goal post of the football field, freezing as he raises his hand triumphantly and fading to a dark frame as the ending credits roll.

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