St. Elmo's Fire

St. Elmo’s Fire is a coming of age film about seven recent college graduates of Georgetown. Though it has many of the same cast members as The Breakfast Club, the issues addressed in the film are very different from those encountered by high school misfits.

I enjoyed this movie. The issues that the main characters deal with seem to be problems most recent college graduates will encounter. Minus the cocaine usage, issues such as keeping a job, learning to be responsible, relationships, unrequited love, and finding a way to bring what you love into your career are common tribulations in life as well as film.

This movie stands the test of time because of the relatable nature of the characters and the challenges they face. However, I think the movie only truly hits home with people either in college or recently graduated. The issues addressed by St. Elmo’s Fire relate to the challenges and inexperience of youth. While everyone will probably be able to understand or recall those sensations, the self-centered nature of the characters may not appeal to people in all walks of life.

This movie is essentially 80’s because of the cast. This Brat Pack filled film was directed by Joel Schumacher. It is amusing to see the cast of the Breakfast Club playing such different roles. The freak is now the girl with whom two men are in love. The outcast is now the guy everyone wants to be. I enjoyed seeing the actors I had associated with certain personalities in such different roles.