August 6 marked the three year anniversary of the death of writer and director John Hughes. Known for his work mostly in the 80's and early 90's, Hughes struck a chord with an entire generation of young people. He was admired for his uncanny comedy style and yet realistic look at life as a young person.
As a young writer on the staff at National Lampoon magazine he would pen his first screenplays. National Lampoon's Vacation would prove to be his big break. In that same year he would have another hit with Mr. Mom starring Michael Keaton.
It would be the 1984 that would make people start to take note of John Hughes ability and start the teenage Americans close relationship with the filmmaker. Sixteen Candles was his directing debut and started a long working relationship with Molly Ringwald whom he discovered for the film at the young age of sixteen and Anthony Michael Hall who would also frequently work with Hughes.
The next year would bring Hughes maybe his most powerful hard hitting movie in The Breakfast Club which also gave birth to a group of actors who would soon be known as The Brat Pack.
Hughes would go on to direct only 6 more movies but leave his indelible mark on many many more as a writer and producer, all with the unique John Hughes feel to them. Although perfectly mixing teen angst and comedy in many screenplays and films he would also branch out into more adult type comedy when he directed 1987's Planes,Trains and Automobiles, which has gone on to become a Thanksgiving holiday-time classic. And he would also make She's Having A Baby which has many parallels to Hughes life becoming a writer and father.
His last directed film would be his least successful in Curly Sue starring Jim Belushi. In 1994 Hughes retired from public life and was considerably shaken by the death of good friend and most frequent actor in his films, John Candy.
Hughes was a voice to many and showed others the struggles and thoughts not easily discussed. He did this in a way that made us take notice yet not feel guilty with his ability to broach certain subjects lightly yet not lose their importance. His legacy and mark on pop culture has not gone forgotten or unnoticed since his death.
Most notably at the 82nd Academy Awards when a very rare event occurred. On a night when remembrances are saved for one solemn moment when all are honored, Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick walked out to honor their friend and director with some kind words and a special montage with some of the very high points of John Hughes career. Later joined by Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Jon Cryer, Macaulay Culkin and Ally Sheedy who all shared a kind word. The moment proved to be a true testament to what Hughes and his films meant to the movie-loving community.
John Hughes movies always have and continue to still strike hard inside me and many others. His legacy will not soon be forgotten as new generations continue to discover his films and feel a kinship with them as so many have before.
Marc has been a lifelong film fanatic. From the moment he saw his first live action movie in a theater at the age of 5 (Back To The Future) film has been special and exciting with every viewing. While writing and managing his own site, Loveyourmovies.com, Marc has developed his writing ability, views and opinions on film and acting. You can follow Marc on Twitter @thedvdgen and on Facebook.
His death was a tough one to hear! His movies will live on forever!
-Tom
Co-Founder, Cinemit