I once met John Hughes on a Sunday afternoon in 1987 while he was shopping with his wife in a bookstore at Northbrook Court (same mall weird science was filmed). I was a first year film student at Columbia and recognized him immediately. To my shock? When I approached him and asked him if he had any advice for a young filmmaker he stood there and talked to me for almost 20 minutes. He told me he had never been on a movie set before 16 candles and he was currently shooting a new film in Winnetka (she's having a baby) When I asked if he could impart ONE RULE every young film maker should abide by? He paused for a minute and told me " Don't get bogged down in the technical aspects of filmmaking. Rely on the experience of your crew for that. Everything begins and ends on the written page. A movie can poorly shot but if the story is strong the audience wont notice and better yet wont care." Still the best advice I ever got. RIP John for taking time out in your day to inspire others. I'll never forget it.
@Kelly Lumac no he diliberatly didnt write it so no blacks were involved, your too positive when you have been told from day 1 the world is evil, wake up
We were robbed of so many additional masterpieces by John's early passing. Such a shame he can't be here today with all the streaming avenues , etc. where he could have had complete freedom and creative control to present his stories to the world exactly as he wanted them to be.
I feel like John Hughes was the last great American filmmaker before the age of cynicism began. All of movies were very genuine, honest, and real. That's what people connect to in them and why they remain evergreen. We miss you, John.
Well said. If Hughes entered a Time Machine and had to pitch "Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club" in 2019, both scripts would be thoroughly rejected. Not enough CGI and mindless "special effects" for today's audiences.
Yeah thinking about a director in his time the 1980s, his films and vision as an artist are honestly American milestones, original simple ideas that you don’t see today, he was really something
John Hughes is a legend. Their is no words to describe how I feel about his films. I’ve watched every movie he’s ever made over and over again. I used to think “why can’t he direct my life?” They don’t make movies like he did anymore. Andie, Blaine, Steff, Duckie, FarmerTed, Jake Ryan Sam, Uncle Buck, Long Duck Dong , Ferris Bueller.. these iconic characters.. I love him so much.. RIP John, you are one of a kind, to me, you are the most talented, writer, director, producer EVER!!’❤️❤️
Hughes got trashed by art students and theater majors in the US and abroad, but that i think was jealousy. He was a master storyteller and if you didn't fit into the 80's story line he was telling, you felt left out. "you can't write by committee." -Truer words never spoken.
The man had a connection to youth of the 80's. It is incredible when I think that he is pretty much responsible for the soundtrack of so many (millions no doubt) of our teen/young adult years, he provided the movie(s) playlist, and influenced the culture/fashions that blew up once his movies were released. From Watts to Ducky, Molly and Lea Thompson to Blane and Ferris. The man was insanely talented. I am so glad I grew up when I did...the 80's were amazing! I agree with Sam below, he was truly the last great filmmaker before the age of cynicism. Well said!
His movies were the soundtrack of my teenage years. I saw a little bit of myself in each of the characters he wrote. I suspect many feel the same way. I’m not sure any other director understood my generation better. I miss him. Thank you John, I’ll be forever grateful for your gift of putting on screen, the joy and pain of being a teenager. ❤️
John Hughes is the reason I am a music fan. I grew up in the 80’s, watched all his films, loved most of the, and the thing that always stood out to me was the perfect song for the scene. Now, 40 years later, when I hear those songs, they elicit those emotions from my youth. Will always respect his work.
The TRUTH is that he FORMED a complete generation of people...from hair styles and clothing to food, slang terms, ideologies and obviously music...his films had THAT much of an impact Upon our society...who else can that truly be said about? He was and shall always be the greatest showman ever...
TBH I took him for granted. I thought it was part of a larger wave of films and television. But no! You are right. it was alll him!!! the others were cheap wannabe knockoffs trying to immitate authentic John Huges "Teen Movie".
John Hughes. The man delivered the VHS's and soundtracks on cassettes for us 80s kids. How to the max it was. Thank you John Hughes for the awesome times. Bless.
He was an amazing soul very complex. I worked with him for many years watching this makes me very sad. Now his beloved Nancy has joined him. I really cherish the “Hughes” years of my 38 year career in the film business. Thank You John may we meet again someday.
As a Chicagoan born and raised, we are blessed to have John Hughes that made movies with many Illinois references. It certainly was his home and must have had passion to make his movies here in IL. I have my kids watch many of these movies, makes me proud, and such great movies!
I miss John so much..... never knew him personally. But can't think of anyone that had their finger on the pluse of teen and pop culture in the 80's like him. He helped to capture some great times on film. Little time capsules of what we were all living through at the time.
Its absolutely amazing how a man born in 1950 could completely encapsulate and personify the spirit of the 80s like he did. His teen movies are timeless classics that continue to speak to every new generation because they reflect the human experience which is in itself timeless and forever relatable.
Thumbs down? Really??? These people ever leave comments to see what they didn't like? John was so much of a genius (sorry for my English, since it's not my first langage), but honestly, I'd be curious as to what is not satisfying here. I mean, maybe this document is not perfect, but still, I enjoyed it a lot. RIP John, we will always be greatful for your work. All of it.
Thank you John Hughes for helping me understand my teenage years. Your movies have been passed down to my children who love them just as much as I did and have. RIP.
My teenage years were defined by John Hughes movies! They will forever be a part of me and will always take me back to my youth whenever I watch them. He was brilliant, and one of the last great writers and directors in Hollywood, at the right time. ❤️ 😢
Lmao. Stanley Kubrick Alfred Hitchcock David Lean Martin Scorcese Francis Ford Coppola David Lynch John Ford Stanley Kramer Steven Spielberg Ridley Scott etc etc would chuckle at that statement 🤣
I think Home Alone was a blessing and a curse for him. It made him a lot of money and has become a holiday classic, but it was the only thing any studio wanted him to make after that. Home Alone with a baby (Baby’s Day Out), Home Alone with dogs (101 Dalmatians) and Home Alone with Robin Williams (Flubber).
JH had the kindest & most compassionate look on his face. His movies were created out of his empathy for young people...painful memories from his own teen years. A great writer/director.
thanks for everything John ... you gave such a rich treasure chest of emotions to my teen years I will forever be grateful -- we the 80s nation surely miss you
It’s rare when an artist Has the ability to accurately Have their thumb on the pulse of the culture. John Hughes had this ability and for this reason Was somewhat of a prophet and a poet at the same time
I wasn't a teen at the time of Breakfast Club, but I was 8 when it came out and saw it. Then again, at 10 years old. This movie was hugely influential in my growing up in the late 80's to early 90's. At the time I never knew or really cared WHO had written and directed this movie. BUT years later as I grew out of my teen years, I realized my entire childhood and teen years was molded by So many movies he had either written and or directed. Home Alone, Planes, Trains, Automobiles, Uncle Buck. Hell, I even enjoyed Pretty in Pink and at that time... a teen boy would have been laughed at for enjoying a movie seemingly aimed at teenage ladies. John Hughes was amazing.
He spoke to all teens of the 1980's..... I grew up in a Neighborhood you never heard about. For some reason America only wanted you to associate African Americans with being poor and crime ridden. Not so! I grew up in an upper middle class 97 percent Black Neighborhood. I literally don't know poverty! It's something we seen on television but never in real life. That blows some peoples minds when I tell them that. His movies spoke to us as if we were white also. There were no differences! We totally related to "The Breakfast Club" and other such movies. I had a wonderful childhood and teenage years! I wouldn't change one thing about it and that includes these movies!... Molly Ringwald once said in an interview that if she could change one thing about those movies she said they were too white bread America. That she would have included a reflection of what her real life was like that included people of color.... I say, Those movies would have felt completely different.... I'm proud they were made exactly the way they were. Skin color didn't change the way I grew up.... I had all the same problems! God Bless John Hughes and may he rest in peace......
John had the genius to submit on some level to those tapped into the culture of the day with talented people who knew. Great storytelling at its best! Ego surrendered to truth it seems. A quality we all should strive for whatever we do.
Loved every movie he made, because he captured and showed so many times the feelings, views, anxiety and wonderments that many of us went through as adolescents in the wonderful 70s & 80s. Which was sometimes a little chaotic, a little scary, a little confusing learning as you grow, but fun. His movies always reflected those memories.
The movies that John Hughes made were really fine! The music was so amazing that it seemed that it (the music) was a real character in the film. It was also complementary to all his movie characters. I saw them all and loved everyone.
God how I miss him. And now his wife Nancy is gone too. He was very superstitious, the last film I did was Newport South I was already working on Save The Last Dance and the Producer told me even if it was for a few days could I please take over before the film finished. I of course said yes and on the last day of filming he came up to me on set and said I know I put you in a difficult position on the the other film I really needed you here on my Sons first project as you were on my first project I needed to feel the circle to be complete. These were the last words spoken between us. He got in his baby blue Jag and I never saw him alive again. You know through all the years we worked I never knew he felt that way our last meeting was indeed as I look back now almost like he knew we would never work or see each other again.
I think he (John) knew too 💗 What a blessing that he chose you for his own sons production. He obviously felt you were the best, such an honor. I’m sorry for your loss... We are all mourning with you still 😞
When I was a kid I didnt realize how much John Hughes would effect me, but now as an adult its so obvious how much his movies and their soundtracks were a massive part of me growing up.
The memories of these people for John Hughes makes me think I missed out one someone I shouldn't have. Also, even though I never knew him, I cried as though I'd lost a friend. Unlike me, they actually DID lose a friend.
I loved his '80s movies but had never seen him interviewed before, so I found this very interesting. Within a year or two after his death, a theater group in my town performed "The Breakfast Club." A much younger co-worker of mine said she didn't like the movie because she couldn't identify with it. But I certainly did.
I fucking love your movies John I absolutely love the music In them I wish u were still making movies they make me so happy I’m so sad I love you and you make the 80s look so rad wish I lived through the 80s but I see how it was I think in your movies. Gosh you are totally missed and one of the best directors of all time
I didn’t grow up in the 80’s okay , I wish I did but I didn’t but John has had the *Biggest* influence on my teenage years , I watched his movies so much and related a lot to his characters , I love him a lot and I believe there will never be another John Hughes , he was and will forever be my favourite director
Well done. John Hughes is a legend and did so many great films. Why is Anthony not in this? How could you decline an interview for this documentary when the man made you a star?
The privilege n honor it is to grow up in gen X, and enjoy this man's work, was amazing, and yet today it's Saddening to see what these new gen have to enjoy.. Just makes me proud of my time, and the great work for it breakfast Club and ferris bueller.. Trust us John we won't ever forget about you (Bows) your still here?! It's over... Go home!!💁♂️😁
John will be remembered as a comedy legend. He died days after my dad died in 2009. It’s so sad to watch people that you love go so quickly. R.I.P John Hughes 1950 - 2009 R.I.P Dad 1957 - 2009
John Hughes helped with his movies shaped my teenage years .because back then I identified myself with many of the characters and now became the best memories.
