I stumbled upon a documentary called Brats by Andrew McCarthy on Disney Plus while checking my investment in the platform. As a child of the 80s film era, I was immediately hooked.
Andrew McCarthy delves into how the other actors, collectively known as The Brat Pack, felt about this label and its impact on their careers. It began with a nickname coined by New York magazine journalist David Blum in a 1985 article about a group of young actors frequently appearing in teen films. The term was likely a play on the Rat Pack, led by Frank Sinatra. However, Blum’s take felt more malicious.
The two breakthrough films of that year, The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire, featured these actors. I struggled to understand McCarthy’s embarrassment and offense at being labeled, feelings shared by those he interviewed. Yet, he initiated the documentary to find catharsis.
A seemingly throwaway comment thrust these individuals into the pop culture spotlight, for better or worse. Even Blum, in a later interview, didn’t regret his words. Resentment arose when opportunities dwindled, as they were deemed talentless without a chance to prove otherwise.
It was interesting to see these actors reflect on their early careers and what could have been lost. Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson preferred not to revisit the topic. McCarthy’s inability to contact Nelson until the end of the film was amusing.
Emilio Estevez, labeled the group’s leader in 1985, is now a writer and director. While agreeing with McCarthy’s points, he advised moving on, likening dwelling on the past to driving while only looking in the rearview mirror.
Demi Moore, who achieved significant success, especially in the 90s, shared insightful wisdom. Her personal life often overshadowed her work, but she’s recently seen a resurgence with The Substance (2024). Rob Lowe, another St. Elmo’s Fire alumnus, faced a scandal but later regained recognition with The West Wing.
Estevez mentioned an article where he told The Guardian.com that the “Brat Pack” label would be on his tombstone. He argued that he and his peers were unfairly grouped compared to contemporary actors who collaborated more frequently. While true, the context was different. Hollywood focused on teen films then, and these actors became unintentional spokespeople for the apathetic 80s generation.
Estevez, interviewed at The Hard Rock Cafe and abandoning PR protocol, was under scrutiny. It took forty years for the label to lose its negative connotation.
Whenever I see these actors’ later work, I feel nostalgic for their Brat Pack era. Malcolm Gladwell described the term as a metaphor and pop cultural touchstone, which resonated with McCarthy, and it definitely resonated with me.
Ronin Cinema 