1 absolutely wonderful, if you have an evening to blow
St. Elmo's Fire is my favorite movie to watch when feeling self-piteous. Curling up on the couch with a drink and a cigarette, reveling in the fact that these characters' lives are more messed up than mine, but yet wishing I could live so carelessly.
I usually have to turn the movie off after Leslie and Alec's big breakup scene...the movie takes a fairly depressing abd boring turn after this. What I love about this movie is how easy it is to compare your own situations with each of the characters' stories. The only fast-forward-wothy parts are Kirby's crazed obsession with Dale, and the horribly boring existance of Wendy. This is definitely a chick flick, especially if you are a fan of the eighties, or you are in that "right out of college" age group. Everyone can identify with this movie, whether it be real experiences, things you wish would happen, or things you are glad never did.
2 Adult Entertainment... almost at it's Best!
Saw this on dvd the other night and couldn't really believe it. Here are ten (10) - Count 'em - ten quick and easy obeservations:
1. It's easy to watch "Saint Elmo's Fire" from beginning to end, but that's not because it's a great or even a very good story. It's not. It's a watchable film due to some other elements that were probably unintentionally included.
2. For those of us who remember the early years of Reaganomics and the recession of the early eighties (Which could easily have gone into a depression), this film brings back memories of how bad things really were at the time.
Whether it purports to be or not, "Saint Elmo's Fire" is, in large part, about life under the Reagan administration. It's too bad that Oliver North didn't put in a cameo, but I guess he was probably busy getting weapons to the Contras at that time.
3. I'm not going to summarize something you can see for yourself, but I will say that this film is about a group of seven self-absorbed, terminally cute, whiny preppies following their graduation from Georgetown University. Although Rob Lowe deserves every accolade he got for his portrayal of a walking pile of human waste, Demi Moore's character is especially despicable and hateful.
4. At the middle of the film, I kept wishing for something dramatic to happen... Like the group goes out in a car and they drive head on into a brick wall at ninety miles an hour.
After about an hour of viewing, it's hard to care what happens to any of the characters, because the plot is so contrived. None of the characters portrayed in the film remotely resemble human beings, at least in the way they react to given situations. Each seems about as two dimensional as the life-size cardboard silouhettes of movie stars you'll see in the lobbies of theatres from time to time. The way the characters react to the world around them doesn't seem real or even remotely possible.
To his credit, Emilio Estevez actually does crank out a good performance, but his pursuit of the Andie McDowell character is not just embarassing, it's also borderline behavior.
All of the above aside, here's why you should get a copy of "Saint Elmo's Fire" and watch it from beginning to end:
5. First of all, ignore the characters, ignore the story, and just cue in on the visuals.
It's hard to believe that the eighties really produced such excesses in bad taste, but it's all here on film. Just check out the Lofts and some of the clothing and hairstyles, to say nothing about the attitudes.
6. All that this movie is not is much greater than what it actually is.
"Saint Elmo's Fire" is a film that precluded "Seinfeld" by just a few years. Check it out! Like Seinfeld, it has self-absorbed characters you really wouldn't want to know personally, and it's a show about nothing.
7. If you watch "Saint Elmo's Fire" with friends, you can actually turn the sound off and make up your own dialogue for the characters as you go along.
One of the most confusing aspects of "Saint Elmo's Fire" is that there is no clever dialogue, and no jokes, visual or otherwise. Not one real shed of humor in this film.
The upside is that since there isn't any real storyline anyway, with a little imagination, you can have the characters saying things to each other that even R. Lee Ermy would feel weird about!
8. The David Foster Love Theme instrumental is repeated over and over, dozens of times. Just when you think it's going to stop, it starts up again. Isn't that wonderful?
9. Two words, Baby: Chick Flick!
10. Would I recommend this film to my friends? Sure! Anything's better than watching "The English Patient".
Bonus Comment: I predict that by the year 2025, this film will be a tremendously popular camp favorite with people who are yet to be born, or are in their early infancy.
By 2025, Ally, Judd, Demi, Emilio and the gang will be enroute to the old actor's home. By then, kids will look at "Saint Elmo's Fire" in much the same way that most kids of today watch movies like "The Trip", or "Hell's Angel's `69" and think that their parents used to be Martians.
3 The Rise of the "Brat Pack"
This excellent movie chronicles the lives of seven friends after their graduation from Georgetown University. Alec (Judd Nelson) is an aspiring politician who has become an aide to a United States Senator. His girlfriend Leslie (Ally Sheedy) is feeling pressured by Alec to make a commitment to marriage which she is not yet ready to make. Kevin (Andrew McCarthy) is a no-nonsense thinker in his views on life. He believes that there is no such thing as a good marriage, and people make their own happiness. He is also secretly in love with Leslie, and this triangle of Alec, Kevin, and Leslie will progress as the movie goes on. Kirby (Emilio Estevez) is a law school graduate who is infatuated with an older former classmate (Andie McDowell). He pursues her relentlessly throughout the film (by today's standards, it would probably be called stalking). Billy (Rob Lowe) is the "rebel" of the group. He is also married and has a child. Despite this, he still chases women and hangs out at bars while his wife stays home with the baby. However, Billy has a soft side and is knowledgeable about people in general. Jules (Demi Moore) is the drug-addicted princess wannabe. She tries to fool her friends into believing that she is living a glamorous life and having a relationship with her boss when in reality she has been fired from her job and the creditors have taken all of her possessions. It takes some quick action from the rest of the group to keep Jules from killing herself after the creditors took her stuff. Finally, there is Wendy (Mare Winningham). She lives with a controlling father and mother who refuse to let her live on her own, and they try to arrange a relationship for her with a man she doesn't even like. She really cares for Billy.
The story content of the movie is excellent . How many of us who developed a close group of friends while away at college wanted to hold onto those relationships forever despite graduating and facing new challenges? This aspect is played out perfectly in the movie. Even after graduation, the group manages to stay close and they even go to the same bar that they hung out at during college.
The film does a good job of handling the conflicts of life as well. For instance, the rift in Alec's and Leslie's relationship is a major part of the film, and when Kevin professes his love for Leslie after her and Alec break up, the dynamics are changed that much more. Also, I thought that Billy's story of him and his family struggles was a high point of the movie, as is Jules problems with self-esteem and drug addiction.
This is an excellent movie. All of the actors (known by critics as the "Brat Pack") give top-notch performances, and the story is one that many of us can directly relate to; the fear of moving on after graduating from college and losing contact with our college friends. Also, who could forget the wonderful theme music as well as John Parr's powerful "Man in Motion" song?
I give this movie my highest recommendation. Watch and see how, against the backdrop of their favorite hang-out, these friends save, betray, and love one another as only close friends can.
4 The only brat pack movie I realy liked...
Okay boys and girls.. I grew up in the Washington DC area and spent many a night bar crawling in Georgetown. True in DC legaly you can't (or couldn't) call a bar a "B-A-R". But outside of that, I remember many of the antics that these charcters got up to. Contrary to what some of the other reviewers have said about this movie this is or was how Georgetown and the surburbs where in the 1980s. I was there and some that 20s year later I still can't believe I lived thru it!
All in all a little campy and several generations to far in the past for the current era. But over all a pretty good film. Funny how I look over the reviews and finally realize why my parents used to shake their heads at me when they tried to describe the more humorous aspects of life in the 40s and 50s.
5 Boring... horrible music scoring
No real plot or progression. And the worst part is that the
David Foster Love Theme instrumental is repeated again and again
and again and again... maybe dozens of times. It was okay once
or twice, but they way over did it. Rent only if you like
the 'brat pack'.
6 Was friendship ever really like this?
This film presents a wonderfully/hopelessly romantic view of friendship as seven buddies make the transition from college to jobs. Although I had a set of close friends at university, this film made me insanely jealous that my friendships didn't seem as frank and open as they are here. Or maybe it was just that my coterie hadn't included Ally Sheedy.
Many of the actors, though just starting out, already seemed to be type-cast. Emilio Estevez plays someone totally obsessed by a girl (Andie MacDowell) -- in today's climate, he could justifiably be prosecuted for stalking and harassment. Demi Moore's character (Jules) lives the high life, way beyond her means and control, and everyone's worried about her. Rob Lowe plays Billy, a philanderer who can't hold down a job or a family.
The demands of the plot mean that, though this cluster of seven was close-knit at college, all the swapping of partners seems to happen only once they graduate. (In my experience, most of the partner-switching happened at college, not afterwards.)
Where this film scores so well is with the message that, despite all the flare-ups and other incidents, these friendships are for life. Yes, people will drift apart -- here symbolised by Billy's somewhat optimistic career move to New York -- but you just know that some day, they will meet up again.
Life in many of its colours is shown here, and the most implausible element is the idea that Rob Lowe's character could ever apply himself sufficiently to pass the college graduation exams. And, in my opinion, many of the plot ideas were shamelessly plundered by Richard Curtis for 'Four Weddings' and 'Love Actually'.
7 Can't Be Serious!
The 1980 gal hairstyles were eclectic. There's the smooth look of Alli Sheey. What's with the shawl outfit she wore in two unrelated scenes? Wardrobe screwed up I think. Then there's the teased, big hair, Madonna look of Demi Moore, the square shouldered screw me outfits with lots of hanging beads. One chick does cocaine and the others disapprove. Yeah, like that actually happened in the 80's. Who played the nice Jewish girl? Sorry, the Brat Pack all looks the same to me. Anyhow, she looked like a dumpy Swede. Oy vey! Rob Lowe, he played himself. I wanted to pull the stupid earring from his pretty ear. Poor Judd Nelson. He had to play a young Republican. Obviously the screenwriter felt this was a part lower than pond scum. It's tough to write a screenplay with so many characters that could not have possibly been best friends ever. Two of them seem to be in love with a very plain Sheey. Essentially the film is a youth soap opera two hours long. My era was late 60's, mid 70's. That was long hair and LSD. The 80's seem to me mad chick clothes and cocaine. That generation worked awfully hard to have fun.
8 Talk about your loads of crap!
Like most others who grew up on the Brat Pack flicks, I couldn't wait for the next one. I loved the earlier flicks that had not only great writing and warm stories to tell, but characters you cared about and situations that we could ALL relate to, at least to some point. Pick your flick - 16 Candles, Breakfast Club - they had at least SOMETHING everyone could relate to. Not "St. Elmos's Fire." Talk about taking a red hot cast of actors and doing absolutely nothing with them. This movie wasted so much talent and threw unlikeable, pretentious morons at us with some of the corniest dialogue I have ever seen. There is not ONE likeable character in this movie. Rob Lowe's character is a moron - not in the directionless sense the movie tries to protray him sympathetically, but in everything he does throughout the film, particularly his acting. I actually laughed at the night club scene when Lowe and his band perform. His "sizzlin" sax performance with his band is one of the most contrived, directionless displays of music in movie history - ranks right up there with the final play scene in Travolta's pathetic sequal to "Saturday Night Fever" ("Staying Alive"). Even the extras in that bar scene are terrible actors who not only have no clue how to dance or even react to that "song" (I guess it was a song), but the scene's climax where Lowe and his wife embrace passionately to the adoring masses is contrived, soap opera worthy material. DeMI Moore... don't get me started on her character. And Ally Sheedy (a fave of mine up till this flick), Judd Nelson, Andrew McCarthy and all the rest of these stooges' over act so much they make Carrot Top seem like Orson Welles or Marlon Brando. Even the bit role players are hammy and cliched - the artistic gay neighbor of Moore's, the wealthy Japanese business man who for some reason trusts just out of college puds with his expensive pad. And the final scene when the gang all seems to come to grips with the reality of their situations while sending Lowe off is as corny as one of the epilogues from the "Charlies Angels" TV show in the 70s. It's sad when recent movies about the 80s seem more authentic than one like this that was made IN the 80s. The only thing I credit this movie with is instilling in me an insatiable appetite for Andie Mc Dowell, who I absolutely love to this day and give most of her movies at least a peak (though a lot of those come up short as well). I suppose I should a acknowledge the hypnotic theme song from the Soundtrack, which I'll admit is appealing, if only for the real life memories of the 80s it brings back. This movie was a lame attempt at using the Brat Pack we grew up with and trying to parallel their lives with where their legions of the fans who grew up loving them were now with their own lives. And in that it fails miserably. This movie is self indulgent and over the top, full of obtrusive characters. One thing I will admit - this is one of those movies that is so bad, you can't help but watch in when it comes on. Again, I thinks it's the way the theme song hooks you. Frankly, this movie sucks.
9 Brat Pack, here we come
The Real World of cinema I call this. Definitely influential to MTV starting that series. Seven best friends recently graduate from Georgetown Univ. Trying to find their way in life for the future. They all hang out at St. Elmos bar in downtown Washington DC. The characters are somewhat stereotyped the conservative, the artsy journalist, the rebel badboy, the party girl, the niave virgin etc... But that's true to life in a way we all can be put into some category sorry to say. They all have their own set of problems to deal with but end up helping each other out in their own way. Defining 80's coming of age film about relationships & hardships of facing an uncertain future after college. Entertaining script written by Joel Schumacher & an ensemble cast showcasing talent to come. One of my favorite brat pack films. Essential to anyone who grew up in 80's cinema.
10 Boring Brat Pack Feature
1985's St. Elmo's Fire is the film that created the Brat Pack. The film is about yuppie angst instead of the usual teen angst depicted in like kind films of the era. The seven stars, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Mare Winningham and Judd Nelson are all appealing, but the film suffers from an overall malaise. All seven are friends from Georgetown University and they trying to cope with the problems facing them in the real world. There is a lot of unrequited love between several of the friends, drug use and emotional baggage. Mr. Lowe's character is supposed to the one character that, instead of getting to the wrong marriage or job, just follows his dreams. His speech to Ms. Moore, who is on the verge of a serious mental breakdown or worse, in which he lights hair spray on fire is truly cringe worthy. Overall, St. Elmo's Fire is more of a cultural document, showing what yuppie life was like in the mid-80's and the state of the young and upcoming stars of Hollywood at the time. It also features the famed number one theme song by one-hit wonder John Parr.
11 Not one likeable character!
All right, let's take 'em one by one:
Emilio Estevez as Kirby: Obsessed with and stalking an older woman, who finally is forced to sic her fiance on his pathetic punk a**.
Judd Nelson as Alec: Pathologically cheats on his live-in girlfriend, then pressures her to marry him because he thinks marriage is the magic pill that will make him stop cheating. When she refuses, he beats her up.
Rob Lowe as Billy: Tortures us with his gratuitous sax-playing.
Andrew McCarthy as Kevin: Thinks that wearing sunglasses at night and chain-smoking makes him a cool existentialist instead of a dateless poseur. Consumed by lustful thoughts about his best friend's girlfriend.
Ally Sheedy as Leslie: Living with Judd Nelson. Need I say more?
Mare Winningham as Wendy: Passive doormat who is shocked and horrified to find, upon becoming a social worker, that not all welfare recipients are noble, misunderstood living saints.
Demi Moore as Jules: Parties with Arabs, maxes out her credit cards and barricades herself in her fabulous-yet-bare (the furniture's been repossessed) loft apartment, finally attempting suicide by opening all the windows and letting her floor-length curtains blow oh-so-artfully about in the cold winter wind as she rocks back and forth on the floor.
Now tell me...are these people you want to spend 110 minutes of your life with?
12 Good, but in reality...
I love this movie for nostalgic reasons, I saw it back in '87 when I was twelve, but now as an adult, I have to give it a reality check.
How is it that these 22 year olds who were fresh out of college had nicer apartments than most of us ever will? It was a bit much, even in the age of excess. I also can't believe that a woman as virginal and innocent as Wendy would be caught dead with Bad Boy Billy and the other hipsters (and vice versa). And why was Dale Biberman so calm when Kirby was practically stalking her? Wait--maybe that term hadn't been invented yet, but you get the picture. And I can't get over Leslie walking arm in arm with Kevin and Alec at the end of the movie, as if this love triangle never existed (not to mention Alec's infidelities).
Other than those things, the movie is good for nostalgic value. I still feel like a seventh grader as I drool over Andrew McCarthy everytime I see this movie. You won't discover the meaning of life from this movie, but you will be entertained for an hour and a half, or so.
13 The best of the Brat Packs.
This is definately the best of the brat pack films. It has more sophistication and dramatic acting. You dig deeper into the characters, and you feel for them more. This has some good acting in it. Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Mare Winningham, Andrew Macarthy, Ally Sheedy, and Judd Nelson all do wonderful. The movie is great, see it. I highly reccomend it.
14 Everyone knows someone like these guys and gals
You know, a drama queen who always has to be the center of attention; the screwup who really means well; the niave do-gooder and the seemingly 'it' couple. Everyone can relate to the characters in this movie and that's what makes it fun. I call my boyfriend Billy because he reminds me of Rob Lowe's character - he's a perpetual frat boy and returns to his alma matter to party still (a year after graduation).
The everyday struggles and triumphs portrayed in St. Elmo's Fire are all too common. I feel especially bad for Kirby and his unrequited love for Dale Biberman, he becomes obsessed with her and really embarasses himself a couple of times. This movie seems a bit cartoonish and almost mockery of itself sometimes, but it is almost 20 years old, so...
15 No fire...It left me cold
Just another movie about some young adults facing their usual problems with relationships, college life and future choices. Nothing new here, not too interesting or enjoyable either, so it did nothing for me. It's not very funny and at times turns into weak melodrama, revolving around tired, been-done-to-death cliches with lifeless characters. The director Joel Schumacher can do better than this (the somewhat innovative "Phone Booth" or the gripping "Tigerland") or downright bad stuff ("Batman and Robin"). This is just bland and forgettable, I guess I`ll pass.
16 Excellent cast and well done music score...
But that is really all that can be said for this movie. One look at the name Joel Schumacher on the box should tell you that there is a 60/40 chance that this movie is going to suck and suck it does. Don't get me wrong, it was a fun little movie with good performances and should not be missed by any brat-pack 80's fan, however that does not mean by any stretch of the imagination that this is a "good" movie. The characters are all pretty basic soap opera-type cut outs and the dramatic situations they find themselves in range from ludicrously bad to mildly interesting. All-in-all the film is worth the price of admission, however dont kid yourself into believing that this is anything more than what it really is: A guilty pleasure.
17 Not As Good As The Breakfast Club...but
This was a more serious brat pack film. That's probably the reason it didn't have the same " feel " as the other brat pack movies. The actors were older and their characters were dealing with " being grown " where as the usual brat pack movies dealt with teenagers struggling to find themselves. St. Elmos Fire is a decent movie but at times you find yourself struggling to keep up with the characters. It wasn't until I saw it again after I was grown that I realized it was more of a soap opera than a movie. There are some cliched plots: Bestfriend in love with bestfriend's girl. Popular chick is really insane. Cool guy is on drugs and sleeps with every woman he meets. If you don't know which characters I'm referring to you haven't seen the film ( enough ). The plots fall flat and soon becomes as mindless as some of its characters. Also the mismatched coupling didn't do it for me either. I can't see someone as straight laced as Wendy getting involved with Billy no matter how hot Rob Lowe looked in those days. And if they were friends how come everyone started sleeping together by the end of the movie? There were too many unanswered questions, but then again that's the 80's-Brat Pack style.
St. Elmo's is an entertaining and decent movie for fans of any of these seven actors, but not the best of the brat pack. The soundtrack ruled back in 85' though it may sound a bit dated these days.
18 From Joel Schumacher, America's worst film director...
I beg all of you to listen to the directors audio commentary. It's the funniest (unintentionally of course) thing you're ever likely to hear.
The man is an utter pea brain.
19 Best of the 'Brat Pack' Movies
"St. Elmo's Fire" is my favorite 'Brat Pack' movie. With an all-star cast, how can you go wrong? First you have Rob Lowe who is simply gorgeous as Billy, a guy who can't decide what he's going to do after graduating college. He plays the sax (quite well I might add) for fun and sometimes for money.
Then you have Julie (Demi Moore in a wonderful performance), who is very high-strung after learning about her father's marriage to another woman. Her life is basically like kettle with hot water that is about to boil. She's happy then she's sad, then she's manic...She's everything! But she does a wonderful job.
I loved seeing Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy together. After seeing "The Breakfast Club," I never thought I'd see them as a couple. They are cute together and the scenes they share are fun to watch.
Emilio Estevez's performance was just as wonderful as the others. He falls in love with a doctor (Andie McDowell) who is already involved with someone else, but he's determined to make things go his way. It doesn't work, but watching him try to make it work is just as much fun.
Andrew McCarthy is a lot of fun to watch. Everyone thinks he's gay because he doesn't have a girlfriend and doesn't date very much. It's a typical stereotype, but I got over that. The end of the movie proves that he is not gay. Mare Winningham gives a stunning performance as a girl who comes from a very wealthy family. She loves Billy but her father wants her to marry a successful businessman. Since she is 'daddy's girl,' she doesn't want to disappoint him.
Overall, this movie is just fun to watch and listening to the director's commentary is great. You get to learn about all these things that went on behind the scenes and what roles the actors were originally up for.
20 Brat Pack At Their Best!
I think that this movie is, hands down, one of the best movies of 1985, if not the whole 1980s. I think one of the things that make it unique is that it was directed by Joel Schumacher rather than John Hughes, who is widely known for his many teen movies of the 80s. This movie is just so artfully done that you can't help but love it. Granted, there are some parts that seem a little off. I mean, do you really think that Kirbo (Emilio Estevez) would be THAT obsessed with the woman? I thought that was a little odd but the rest of it, for the most part, was right on. I was particularly impressed with Demi Moore's character, Jules, and her "life in the fast lane", which came to a screeching halt in the end and was, ironically, the one thing bringing the group together when they were falling apart. To cut to the chase, I love this movie. It is fantastic acting, fantastic directing, and just all-around good.
21 Corny Bad
This movie is not the best, but not the worst either(that honor would have to go to Bio Dome). It's just blah. The characters are dull and the whole plot is corny in a bad way. I couldn't really feel myself identifying with any of the characters or caring what happened to them, which is one of the best parts of movies. The only good thing about this movie is the theme song by John Parr. It's an awesome song. Anyway, most of the movies with members of the Brat Pack are overrated and this one definitely fits the bill.
22 One of The Brat Pack's Best
"St. Elmo's Fire" takes somewhat of a surrealist look into the lives of seven friends' post-collegiate experiences. Although the personal and social lives of these seven individuals feature some storybook personas, there's still some very realistic scenes neatly contained within certain happy-go-lucky career-oriented sequences this film conveys, such as the case of Judd Nelson's charater's political aspirations of switching parties from Democratic to Republican, seeing as how it was the 1980's thing to do, but hey, whatever makes him happy. Another such "happy-go-lucky" scenario featured here is Emilio Estevez's character's desire to be that of an "errand boy" type, working for a hot shot businessman while getting his own chauffeur, all the while not having to lift a finger. What makes this scenario more fantasy-based than anything is seeing as how and why a recent college graduate with a law degree would rather opt at being a gopher for some rich guy instead of starting his own law practice, where he could make limitless amounts of money. Beats me. Aside from the fantasy-based scenes, there are plenty of dramatic hooks that make "St. Elmo's Fire" worth viewing, such as the different characters dealing with other career decisions and loves lost (and regained). All the main performers' acting is top-notch, especially Demi Moore's (in an early film role). Moore has a scene where she's featured virtually by herself, which will bring a tear or two to the eye. Andrew McCarthy, Ally Sheedy, Mare Winningham and Rob Lowe deserve many kudos for their fine performances here as well. Since this is a feature which stars much of "The Brat Pack" cast, including the degree of "teenage-like" angst and socio-political views prominently displayed in the storyline, one would think this is a John Hughes written and directed film, but it isn't. "St. Elmo's Fire" (at least) was directed by Joel Schumacher, although Hughesian themes run rampant throughout much of this movie, as mentioned in the prior sentence. Even Molly Ringwald could have had a place all her own here (why she wasn't included in the cast remains a rather profound mystery to me!). All of the scenes, whether realistic or not, were well written and well thought out, which make "St. Elmo's Fire" a motion picture worthy of adding to your video library today! Even the soundtrack is an essential must-own as well (featuring cuts from John Parr, David Foster, Jon Anderson and others)!
23 Child of the 80's
This is one of the "defining" movies of the 1980's. And with good reason. First it had almost every major 80's young star in it. If they had squeezed Molly Ringwald in there somewhere, it would have been required viewing for 80's historians.
Imagine graduating from college and then suddenly everything you have prepared for falls away, leaving you hanging onto nothing. That is St. Elmo's fire. It's a legend of sailors following lights that aren;t there. I think everyone has had that moment when you can't seem to find your way. This movie bottles it and packages it. You can put it in your DVD player and watch it like a road map when you need to figure out your life.
I am proud that I was a teen in the early 1980's. The so-called "brat pack" caught a lot of flack in the 80's, but I hold onto these films and this on in particular. I was a defining film in my life. Maybe it will be in yours too.
24 Long Live The Brat-Pack
Anyone who's familiar with John Hughes-type 80's movies will be pleased to see a lot of familiar faces in this movie....... Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, etc. The only difference is that this story involves post college-graduates instead of high school teenagers, and that this story wasn't done by John Hughes. I must say I enjoyed the movie a lot, but I didn't quite relate to a lot of the characters as I did in films like The Breakfast Club. The character Emilio Estevez plays is obsessed with Andie McDowell, and I just didn't buy the idea that someone in real life in his position would do the stupid things he does in this movie. Then of course there's Rob Lowe's character of which I can let speak for itself. The drama is good and I liked the music score a lot, but I would recommend this only as a rental. This decision still doesn't sway me from being a big Brat Pack fan though. Let's hope that many of the other famous 80's teen dramas/comedies can get a decent DVD release like St. Elmo's Fire did.
25 THE MOST RE-WATCHABLE MOVIE EVER
Yes, this is my favorite movie of all time.
There is no other movie that I can replay as often as St. Elmo's Fire. Since 1985, I've watched it about 25 times. I don't think I've watched any other movie more than about 4 or 5 times.
If you are interested in psychology, this movie gets better and better with multiple viewings. The actions and re-actions of the perfectly selected cast (except Mare Winningham), continue to intrigue me years later.
Unfortunately, many people today like to "bag" on the 80's and anything that has to do with it. But if you take this movie seriously, the way it was meant to be taken, you will most likely learn something about people, and life in general.
26 The best of cheesy 80's melodrama
"St. Elmo's Fire," or the film I refer to as "The Breakfast Club Goes to College," is kind of an outrageous look at college graduates. Some have idealistic futures (Judd Nelson as Alec Newberry working for a Republican congressman) and some have problems (broke Jules, played by Demi Moore, has to pay for her glamourous lifestyle). But there is an underlying theme in this movie that is important to mention, and one that has become clear to me since I graduated college. These kids realize that their lives will never be the same. They won't have the same togetherness, the same party they had when they went to Georgetown. They have to make decisions about where their lives are headed, grow up, and face their responsibilities.
There are funny moments that highlight their transition, and even some ridiculous ones. But they try to move on with their lives and roll with the punches. The fashions and music in this film may be a little dated, but the overall concept remains universal.
27 glossy piece of 80's junk
Since I was very young, people have urged me to see this movie. I thought, brat pack actors, Joel Schumacher, could be good. I was wrong. Has a nice gloss to it, but there is nothing under the surface. Just empty.
The movie is just so unrealistic. These people live in apartments that look fit for professionals on the job for 20 years. The dialogue is ridiculous and such a group of people would never be friends with eachother. Someone like Demi Moore's character would never speak to someone like Mare Winningham's character.
Two things about the location also bothered me:
When Rob Lowe's character goes to play football on the "Georgetown" campus its the University of Maryland. Something about the fact that they said it was Georgetown bothered me.
The second is that when I walk through Georgetown, I think what a great place to go to school and just generally spend time. What were those brats whinning about?
When you graduate from college, your whole life is ahead of you. It is the first time in your life your destiny is up to you. Why sit around and take yourself so seriously?
28 Weird. Just... weird.
Let me start by saying this: in 1985 I was only 2 years old. So maybe I can't fully appreciate the finer points of this movie. The synth-heavy music, for example. But by age 5 or 6, I had a pretty good bead on the 80's, with my mother always listening to that song "West End Girls."
But I digress.
Anyways, I saw this movie for the first time 3 days ago. And I was was just blown away. Not by its virtues or anything.... I was blown away by how utterly vacuous it was. The cardboard characters, the tepid dialogue. Nothing particularly painful, but something like drinking a very bland cup of coffee. I will say this: it was very slick. Slick as Bill Clinton in a vat of 10W-40. I was in a daze after finishing this movie, and not the frenetic coke-induced daze that the actors were probably coasting on. No, it was the daze that comes with realizing that I had just wasted two hours of my life watching "St. Elmo's Fire." In fact, it was such a daze that I flirted with giving it 5 stars, but then I came to my senses. One star off for Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez and Ally Sheedy going from "The Breakfast Club" to this self-involved compost heap, and one star off for Joel Schumacher, who is right down there with Renny Harlin and George Lucas as the worst directors in Hollywood.
29 The "Brat Pack" lives up to their name
Seven recent Georgetown grads find disillusionment when confronted with "the real world". Realistic elements like unrequited love, faithlessness, and employment trouble are undermined by ridiculous (and unintentionally funny) dialogue. I also had a difficult time believing that these twentysomethings were already undergoing a midlife crisis. Do I watch and enjoy this? Yes. But I don't think that snickering and eye-rolling was what director Schumacher had in mind. Lowe and Moore returned the following year for the superior "About Last Night..."
30 80's Classic with a minor 'oops'
This is a great movie from the 80's... no question about that. I just caught an error within the bonus materials on the disc that kind of shocked me. Remember the great Man In Motion (St. Elmo's Fire) song by John Parr? Well, take a look at the artwork within the bonus materials for the music video. These boneheads spelled his name wrong. In case you are wondering, they spelled his last name as PAAR rather than PARR. The DVD is still great, but I would like to personally award the editor who approved the disc for production with the mental midget award. C'mon, it was one of the biggest songs of the 80's... how hard could it be to verify the spelling? ;-)
31 The fire still burns ...
After multiple viewings over the years, this movie only gets better. The 2.35:1 wide-screen print of this film is a first for me and it presents the movie the way Joel Schumacher intended. (I immediately trashed my old "pan & scan" version on VHS after watching this DVD.)
The video transfer is clean and the variety of audio and subtitles is excellent. The making-of featurette is somewhat short (8 minutes) and the filmographies are incomplete, so I'm only going with ****four stars. Haven't listened to the director's commentary yet but I'm sure it will add another level of enjoyment to this film.
32 I am a child of the 80s
This is my favorite Brat Pack movie, & is especially relevant to my life now. Oddly enough, the movie made sense to me even when I first watched it as a teenager in high school & thought I knew exactly what I wanted out of life.
33 Something for Everyone
This is a great movie for anyone who has ever had friends. A revealing look at what happens to people as they grow up. Invariably some do it faster than others. This is a heart-warming look at the best aspects of friendship such as loyalty and caring for each other. I can only speak for the people who I know enjoy the movie as much as I did, almost everyone will be able to relate to it. I had and still have friends like the characters in the movie and I love them all.
34 FUN AND FULL OF HEART!
In this engaging offering, the popular Sesame Street star plays a wealthy philanthropist who opens a much-needed orphanage deep in the worst end of the Bronx. In a graceful gesture, the children give their furry benefactor the nickname, "St. Elmo," only to turn on him when their new home mysteriously burns to the ground, (hence the title of the movie). Did Elmo set the fire for the insurance money, or is someone trying to frame him? A dejected Elmo must go on the lam to clear his name, and while this is clearly the most "adult" of the Elmo features, the entire family should enjoy this entertaining hybrid of "The Muppet Movie" and "The Fugitive."
35 The Facts of Life
This film gives you the predicaments we all face in life. Love, Hate, Jealousy, Obsession, Neuroticism, and Stupidity. Love describes the couple of Ally Sheedy and Judd Nelson. Hate describes the couple when they are involved in a love triangle. Jealousy describes Andrew McCarthy as a scornful writer, jealous of love and those better off than him. Obsession describes Emilio Estevez, whom has your basic puppy love crush on an older woman. Neuroticim describes Demi Moore, who's stepmother's almost dying is causing her to become perfectionist about her funeral. Stupidity describes Rob Lowe, as a jerky husband with a child and wife who cheats and other worthless acts. These are the facts of life.
36 A Must-See For Anyone Who's Ever...well...Lived
The reason for the total failure of this movie at the time of it's release is truly one of life's great mysteries. Fortunately, St. Elmo's Fire has a timeless quality to it that transcends it's 1980s fashions and keeps it alive and increasingly more popular with the youth of today. Were it not for the fact that I was three when this movie came out, I alone would have bought enough tickets to boost its sales and help it overcome the griping of misguided critics. Why? Because now, as a freshman in college, this film reflects my and my fellow students' greatest fear-what happens when it's over? Though the trials and tribulations of this group of seven Georgetown graduates may not offer comfort to us, the fearful, at least we can feel we are still normal for being so. The oft-criticized ensemble cast is in truth one of the most brilliant groupings in cinematic history. Despite the fact that each actor has enough strength to carry their own movie (with the possible exception of Mare Winningham's annoying and somewhat out-of-place character), they come together brilliantly as each refuses to play down their role for the sake of the word "ensemble". Andrew McCarthy is a particular stand-out with his portrayal of the cynical, lovelorn journalist Kevin. Though thought of as mainly a character actor, McCarthy finally shows here his true potential for bigger, leading-man-type parts, and his performance will leave the viewer wondering why this great talent has recently wasted his time with such jokes as 2000s Beyond Redemption. Also impressive are Rob Lowe, as lifelong frat guy Billie, and Judd Nelson, as, young, political-type Alec with his eyes on the future and his hands in too many "extracurricular activities" for girlfriend Leslie (Ally Sheedy). Sheedy herself impresses as a career-minded woman in love but not willing to commit to what she knows would be an unfaithful union. Emilio Estevez's Kirby is a character who starts out relatively weak but builds steam as the film progresses. Watching him work through his obsession with a young doctor (Andie MacDowell), is like watching an adolescent work through the final stages of childhood before taking his/her place in the adult world. The cast is rounded out by critically acclaimed Demi Moore, interesting but somewhat less-than-likeable as the "out of control and trying to hide it" Jules, and the rather vapid Winningham, playing a rich nerd who's inclusion in this group of friends is, like the film's lack of commercial success, a mystery. St. Elmo's Fire is truly a must-have for anyone who is about to, is, or ever has experienced the incredible struggle of life in the real world.
37 my all-time favorite
Well, let the critics say what they may. I love this movie. I think it's fabulous.
Quite honestly, I've lost track of the number of times I've seen it; I've worn out two videotapes of it, and am making good headway on my third copy.
And why do I love it? I think the messages in it--about love and loyalty, friendship and betrayal, growing up and growing apart--can be applied to every stage of life. The first time I saw it, I was six years old; it was a "Tuesday Night at the Movies" movie...somehow, it related to my life. Fourteen years later, as a junior in college, it still makes sense. I firmly believe that it still will, years down the line. The actors are fabulous, too.
38 Random electrical flashes....
First off, the rating was extremely hard for me to figure out. This is not a dead serious, scholarly film, neither does it claim to have any intelligence other than the little it might. However, considering the fact that it's really quite fluff, I rate it as fluff - and, for that, it's good. [Talk about awkward and uninteresting openings.]
The heyday of the Brat Pack! The Reagan era! Wretched excess in everything from fashion to lifestyle...This movie has many very funny moments, ones that were probably not seen as such when this was made, but as we look back at this film from 16 years later, there are just some things that are hysterical. Too, there are some funny moments, timeless ones. My favorite line has to be the exchange on the fire escape: "...We need an experienced thief." "I'll get Billy." Yeah, so it only works if you've seen the film. Like so many other inside jokes, you can't quite tell if the director was poking fun at self-indulgent college grads or just pondering won't-grow-up-ever's.
But hey. That's why they called it the Brat Pack. And it's quite a showcase of actors & talents, a group well suited to working together. Emilio Estevez is the weakest link here, a pigfaced jerk whom you can feel NO, read that NO, sympathy for. Judd Nelson, Andrew McCarthy, both good actors in their own rights, create a good sense of repartee. Rob Lowe: Man, gives the legacy of Jim Morrison a whole new twinge. Very - how does one say this without undermining acting ability - gorgeous, alright? And honestly, the guy's got chops. This role is good, indulgent eye candy. The women are really good. I don't honestly like Demi Moore, but this role suits her frenetic personality and high-maintenance looks. Ally Sheedy is in what I consider the best character role of the film, Mare Winningham gets to look absolutely awful but gets compensation - if you call it that - for this in the end, in the form of a going-away present. Be that cryptic, good. I hate telling people ends of films.
Other than that, not much to say. Fluff, but good fluff, and a very good de-stresser. Wonderful for a "girl's night out" - Can't live with it, can't shoot it. Have fun.
39 We didn't call them brats for nothing
What a bunch of self-absorbed whiners these characters are. Did anyone in the crew watch the rushes during Estevez's scenes and notice that he's a totally unsympathetic character who apparently wasn't written to be that way? Is sulking all that guy can do? He has one face, like Steven Seagal, and to him "emoting" means more of the same face. To hear Andrew McCarthy pontificating on the meaning of life and love through puffs of cigarette smoke at -- what was he -- 12? -- is hilarious (and again, inadvertently). Oh, and hasn't everyone we know who's suffered a breakdown gotten to do it in a chic bare room with a beautiful billowing curtain overhead? Study the script sometime, as long as you haven't eaten first -- one mock crisis piled on top of another; it's the creatively bankrupt writer's guide to scene and character transitions. Oh -- OH -- and if you're an African American, just try to find the one African American character in the plot, and try not to be outraged. Spike Lee should lay off UPN and check out this movie.
OK, OK, I will concede one tiny point -- the movie does have one good line. Rob Lowe: "Hey, it's not a party until something gets broken."
40 There are worse things you could do to kill an hour or two
I loved this film. Ok I was 8 when it was originally released but I still love it and the whole genre of films from this era. The acting is great particularly by Andrew Mc Carthy and Ally Sheedy. Try watching this film you will enjoy it. And I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. I may not be american but being 23 now I fully sympathise with the choices people have to make in life about what's right for them. I don't know if this is meant to teach us a lesson but I think it does it teaches us to look at friendship because sometimes friends can be the best and worst thing in your life. At the risk of sounding like a cheesy video cover I dare you not to enjoy this.
41 College -- Is there any better time of one's life?
I wish this movie was available on DVD! I saw this movie for the first time in high school -- I liked it then but not nearly as much as when I viewed it upon graduating college. This movie is for anyone who's ever attended college and experienced it with a group of close friends. It still makes me sentimental to watch the movie and recall the friends who I pulled through and who pulled ME through college -- alcoholics, drug users, people who were suicidal, people who were highly political, people who didn't care anything about politics, people who "stole" girlfriends and people who simply never understood what college was about or what was expected to happen after college. It would be impossible for anyone whose experienced college life not to relate to at least one character or scene within this movie. When I attended a recent reunion, myself and a group of friends were required to come to the aid of another friend who was being arrested. After defusing the situation, I quietly said: "Wow, reminds me of St. Elmo's Fire". All of my friends fell quiet for a moment -- watch the movie and you will understand.
42 Excellent!
This is a fabulous story about seven friends who all go through love, betrayal, work.... and life. They are recent college graduates, all working through their problems. Alec and Leslie (Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy) are working through their romantic relationship. Wendy (Mare Whittingham) is in love with Billy (Rob Lowe) but he's in a failing marriage. Jules is the hard partier of the group... always doing drugs or paying for things she can't afford. Kevin (Andrew McCarthy) is in love with a woman he can't have and Kirby (Emilio Estivez)is obsessed over an older woman. They all go through hard times but end up making out fine. :)
43 *Incredibly* Mixed Feelings- SPOILER WARNINGS!
I'm not entirely sure, even after a repeat viewing, what to think about this one. I honestly love several other Brat Pack movies, i.e. The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and to a slightly lesser extent, Pretty In Pink. I was expecting this one, with its superb collection of 80s actors, to find a new home on my list of favorites.
Unfortunately, I found several of the plot points incredibly cliched and unrealistic. For example, Kevin (the always adorable Andrew McCarthy) spends altogether too much time trading life views with a worldly prostitute. The marriage of Billy (Rob Lowe) seems overly cartoonish and stereotypical. I had a hard time drumming up any vestige of sympathy for his relentlessly loser-y character. I also felt that Judd Nelson's Alec was an irredeemable jerk who didn't even deserve a chance at getting Ally Sheedy back after he cheated on her multiple times. Kevin went overboard after his one-night stand with Leslie (Sheedy), suggesting that they immediately move in together right after she just broke up with someone else!
Also, the plot threads were resolved unbelievably quickly at the end, and the solutions were pat and unconvincing. Billy's quickie divorce (freeing him up to sleep with Mare Winningham's virginal character) seemed too neat a way to resolve his difficult marriage. Leslie's giggling remark about it being too hard to choose between Alec and Kevin because she loves them both nearly made me gag, and Alec all of a sudden lost his jerkiness. The Emilio Estevez plotline where he chases an old flame played by Andie MacDowell, just brings the flames to my cheeks. It's constant humiliation for Emilio's character, but at least his lack of reward is realistic. Demi Moore's portrayal of the drug-addicted Jules isn't too unconvincing, but the resolution of her troubles is cheesily bad, as Billy tells her (miraculously managing to keep a straight face as he does so) that she's only making up her problems. (Making up drug and sexual addictions? Jules must have a heck of an imagination!) The only moment in this movie that actually made my heart twist even remotely is when Billy, longing for his college heyday and maybe a real job, asks the old frat boys if they could use him there again. Their response? "Sure, we need someone to get us some good drugs."
All in all, I'd have to say that the Brat Pack actors have all appeared in vastly superior films. The music was the only aspect of the movie that earned my unconditional approval.
44 Still holds up even though the 80s are long gone...
This is one of my favorite movies, and one of the few comedies that I really enjoy. The dialogue is outstanding (Drunk definitely, I don't know if you can call it driving), and really makes you believe that these people are all friends. It's a bit bordering on unreality, but despite that it really is a good movie. Even though it's 15 years old, it still holds true--I can completely relate to their cluelessness of what to do next, and especially Andrew McCarthy's quest for the meaning of life. There are a lot of cringe worthy moments (Kirby's obsession with Dale, for one), but I would definitely recommend watching this. It's probably one of the best movies of the 80s, even eclipsing The Breakfast Club, in my opinion.
45 Classic Brat Pack
I've seen all the coming of age '80s movies like "The Breakfast Club" and while it was funny, I couldn't quite relate to it simply because I wasn't that age in the '80s. I'd spent more time laughing at the '80s teen fashions portrayed in those movies. "St Elmo's Fire" is the only Brat Pack movie I know that I not only hold dear but can completely relate to, even though I graduated from college fifteen years later than the year portrayed in the movie. I've seen this movie 17 times now and each time is just as profoundly endearing and funny as the first. This movie is definitely a must-see and the only movie I've ever rated five-star. Like the adage goes, "they don't make 'em like they used to!" Even the movie's soundtrack is a timeless jewel!
46 MIXED FEELINGS FOR A SO-SO COMEDY
While I think it's funny, entertaining, and even touching to watch, I can't help but think how absurd it is for a group of twenty-two-year-old preppies, just out of college, to be reminiscing about "the good old days" and longing for their lost youth, as if they were 80-year-old men and women looking back on their lives. They've barely begun their lives, and already they're dwelling on their regrets. I think Mare Winningham does a wonderful job as the shy virgin. Judd Nelson is terrific as the ambitious preppie. Demi Moore is perfect as the shallow vixen, although her raspy voice is annoying. Emilio Estevez is only moderately engaging in his role, but he does have some of the best lines. Rob Lowe's character is overacted and unconvincing. Andrew McCarthy is just plain annoying (Somebody please wipe that stupid smirk off his face). All in all, a watchable, enjoyable film, whose only real flaw is the premise. If you want a brat-pack movie, try THE BREAKFAST CLUB, instead.
47 At The Crossroad
I, personally, thought this was an excellent story because it gave you seven situation experiences of what it is like when one is at the fork of his life and has to work throught it. Thus deciding whether to be a responsible independent adult or remain the dependent child. Lord knows there are many more situations than these a person has to and will experience before one finds their nitch.
I truly believe everyone should see this movie, it is excellent for anyone who is about to step out in this world on their own. Perhaps, they will learn that when they are in that process of getting there, "St. Elmo's Fire" is exactly what it is. The movie is about life and experiences and you just don't make it in this world without either.
See "St. Elmo's Fire". You will feel better about you life when you look back thus realizing, hey, I wasn't the only mixed up kid before I became the responsible adult I am now.
48 "No Billy Joel leaves this apartment"--Alec (Judd Nelson)
What a classic flick! Great cast...definetly at some of their best work. Its the story of life after college and the not so pleasant reality it brings. There's a little bit of somebody you know in each of these characters and we can all relate. They are vulnerable yet strong...and this movie is hilarious! Everyone thinks Andrew McCarthy is gay...Emilio stalks an old flame named Dale Beaverman...and of course, Rob Lowe as the boy who will never grow up. This is a must see.
49 "Reality"
I saw this movie when I was in college with a group of friends. It tells of the struggles of college life and trying to make it out alive in different ways. Sadly, one of our friends of the group could not handle life and chose a permanant way out. The music from this movie was played at his furneral. These characters do gone on and make it in different ways and when you watch this don't over look the point that no matter what life throws at you, things will work out. 15 years have gone by and this film will forever effect my/our lives.
50 U GOTTA SEE THIS MOVIE!
I'm only 17 and i seen St. Elmo's Fire about 30 times since i got it 2 years ago. Me and My friends watch St. Elmo's Fire and the Breskfast club all the time and we this St. Elmos' Fire is the Best Movie Ever! My friends and i think St. Elmo's Fire is like Breakfast Club (2), (what happen to everyone when they got out of college)But this movie is ALOT better! You have to see this movie!
51 My favorite movie of all time...
I'm generally a pretty harsh critic, and my cinema tastes pander quite heavily towards the European side. However, this is quite simply my favorite movie of all time.
The plot is often silly, and there are a few genuinely bad cringe-inducing moments (Kevin and the prostitute, anyone?). Critically, it's a mess. And yet, it is overwhelmingly "real" as both an emotional piece, as well as a nostalgic treatise on all that was the 80's. The actors all have limited range (the brat pack were *not* thespians) - but luckily enough, the casting is dead on target (when else was Rob Lowe ever believable? ).
A thoroughly charming film, one that makes a not-so-bygone era come refreshingly alive again. Absolutely silly, and absolutely wonderful.
52 Great Film; Enjoyed It Thouroughly!
I liked this film SO much! It was so well written, and so well acted too. Great movie, great actors too, I couldn't think of any other actors who could have played these characters better than they did. Well Done!
53 80's COME BACK!
This goes on my list of 80's greats such as The Goonies, The Lost Boys, The Breakfast Club, 16 Candles etc etc
54 A Classic 80's Film
This movie is a landmark film about friendship, love, and loyalty...Seven inseparable college friends are suddenly forced to deal with "the real world," and they all handle it in very different ways. This was a career-launching movie for several of the cast members, and all of them believably portrayed their characters. An engrossing, complex plot...and one of the finest movie scores ever.
55 very touching, excellent music, one of my favourites
It's a shame i did not see this film earlier in my life. It is about friendship, love, romance, good times, bad times...I cannot pick one favourite actor from this film, they are all great. I think Demi Moore is gorgeous in this film. The only bad thing about the film is that it left me with the bitterness that the 80s will never come back and that I wish i was a member of this group of friends. It's not an exaggeration but this film changed me a lot, and i mean my attitude to life, to love, to my friends,...and i'm so impressed with this change. Amazing!
56 friendship and love which everyone gets so real
I have seen this movie for over 100 times. thia is my bible for living. When I struck with hard things, I always watch this. It makes me feel strong and gives me living will. why? because the charactors are living so vividly as real as real life around me.
57 SEE THIS MOVIE
Since this movie's release, I have seen it countless times. The characters are awesome, especially Demi Moore and Rob Lowe. It is one of the all time best movies ever made.
58 The true story about recent college grads trudging thru life
I first saw this movie in the 10th grad (it came out when I was 10 years old) and I hated it. But a few years later I watched it and loved it. I am a recent college graduate and what these 7 characters went through rings so true to me! I think the 2 best characters in this movie are Ally Sheedy and Andrew McCarthy. This movie is very moving and I recommend it to anyone..especially anyone who has or will be graduating from college now or in the near future! It's a wake up call from a planet called reality to all!
59 Great Flick !!
I love this film, & in fact, I love all of the movies with "The Brat Pack". Especially- "The Breakfast Club", "Pretty In Pink", "Sixteen Candles", & of course this film - "St.Elmo's Fire". Great actors! Well, thats all I have to say for now.
60 A movie that brings back memories and arouses emotions
With a combination of beautiful and exciting music and talented actors, St. Elmo's Fire captures what adjusting to life after college is like for a tight-knit group of friends. It is especially exciting to watch the movie while keeping in mind the careers that each of these actors went on to have. They were obviously in their prime with St. Elmo's Fire, and it makes you wish that you could have those days back again. Alot of critics hated it, but I loved it. I have watched it almost ten times, and I love the soundtrack.
61 The fist wall for the young.
This movie has been the best one for me since it was realesed for the fist time. Whenever I see this, it let me know various kinds of things. To tell the truth, 14 years ago I saw this movie just because Andrew McCarthys was so cute. But now I am older than they are in the movie, and I really underestand what Joel Schumacher would like to talk to us. I hope all that read this now will like it,too.
62 This is as good as it gets!
This movie was the greatest film ever! I mean....I just luv all of the actors and actresses. They fit their part perfectly. I thought Andrew McCarthy was sooo cute in the movie!! I'm starting to like the 80's movies. I used to think they were old, but this movie was the best! Besides, it was only filmed one year after I was born! Now, I just have to decide as to whether I like "Pretty in Pink" or "St. Elmo's Fire" better! They are both my favorites!
63 Could life really be this tough?
Joel Schumacher (a.k.a. Lord of the Brat Pack) was sunonimous with the teen genre during the 80's, and this particular film lends further proof to his inate ability to capture the true feelings of post-adolescence life.
I was a senior in high school when this movie was originally released, and I never imagined that life, real life, would ever be as difficult as it seemed for these seven friends. Boy was I wrong! Schumacher hit the nail square on the head with his look into the lives of seven friends trying to make it in the real world.
64 THE BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME
St. Elmo's Fire was the best movie of all time, period. For anyone who ever went away to college and made it through alive should love this movie. I have seen this movie thousands of times and can repeat St Elmo's word for word. Just watch and look back at your own college experiences and you will laugh, cry and long to be back on campus. This movie reminds me of the best times of my life, thats why it is the best movie of all time!!!!! 10 out of 10!!!!
65 It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
Demi Moore as a coked-up slut. Rob Lowe's head in a toilet. Andrew McCarthy at his most obnoxious. The vision that is Andie MacDowell. A sondtrack that will be drilled into your brain and keep you up at night. "BOOGALA, BOOOGALA, BOOGALA, UH UH UHHH!". Have any truer words ever been spoken?
66 A classic of the 80's!
This movie reminds me about college, fragments of life which are so vividly displayed in the movie. It is easy to see your own reflection in the characters and it brings back the time that you are going to remember for the rest of your life!
