Some Kind of Wonderful (film)

Some Kind of Wonderful

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Howard Deutch
Produced by John Hughes
Written by John Hughes
Starring
Music by Stephen Hague
John Musser
Cinematography Jan Kiesser
Edited by Bud S. Smith
M. Scott Smith
Production
company
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates
  • February 27, 1987 (1987-02-27)
Running time
 95 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Box office $18.5 million[1]

Some Kind of Wonderful is a 1987 American romance film starring Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Lea Thompson. It is one of several successful teen dramas written by John Hughes in the 1980s, although it was directed by Howard Deutch rather than Hughes.

Plot

The film is set against the strict social hierarchy of an American public high school. Working class misfits Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz) and the tomboyish Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) are good friends. But when Keith asks out the most popular girl in school, Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson), Watts realizes her feelings for him are much deeper. Meanwhile, Hardy Jenns (Craig Sheffer), Amanda's ex-boyfriend from the rich side of town, plots trouble for Keith by inviting him and Amanda to a party after their date. Keith finds out about the plot, believing Amanda to be party to it, but goes ahead with the date anyway, spending money saved for college and roping in Watts (as chauffeur) to help make the date special. At Jenns's party, the timely arrival of other "misfits" saves Keith from being beaten up. Keith tells Jenns he is "over" and Amanda slaps Jenns's face. In the end, Amanda decides that she needs to learn to stand on her own. Keith catches up to Watts and they kiss.

Cast

Production

Hughes was personally not happy with the ending of Pretty in Pink, he decide to somewhat rewrite the story of Pretty in Pink with Hughes even asking Howard Deutch (who also directed Pretty in Pink) to direct the film. Hughes even wanted Molly Ringwald to play the lead female role but she refused because she want to pursue more adult roles. Hughes took it personally and this led to the end of their working relationship. Thompson had originally turned down the role, but changed her mind when the role was offered to her a second time after the film she had taken—Howard the Duck—had turned out to be a major bomb.[2]

Reception

The film was generally well received by critics. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 80% of critics gave it a positive rating, based on 35 reviews.[3] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times praised the film, calling it worthwhile and entertaining.[4] Janet Maslin of The New York Times stated that Some Kind of Wonderful is the "much-improved, recycled version of the Pretty in Pink story".[5] Richard Schickel of Time, however, criticized the film for being unrealistic.[6] Masterson's performance was singled out for praise by several critics.[4][5][7][8]

Soundtrack

Some Kind of Wonderful
Soundtrack album by Various Artists
Released February 27, 1987
Genre Rock, new wave
Length 36:20
Label MCA Records
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[9]
  1. "Do Anything" – Pete Shelley
  2. "Brilliant Mind" – Furniture
  3. "Cry Like This" – Blue Room
  4. "I Go Crazy" – Flesh for Lulu
  5. "She Loves Me" – Stephen Duffy
  6. "The Hardest Walk" – The Jesus and Mary Chain
  7. "The Shyest Time" – The Apartments
  8. "Miss Amanda Jones" – The March Violets
  9. "Can't Help Falling in Love" – Lick the Tins
  10. "Turn to the Sky" – The March Violets

The song at the beginning of the film (that Watts is shown drumming along to) is "Abuse" by Propaganda- an instrumental remix of their song Dr. Mabuse. It is not featured on the soundtrack album.

The Rolling Stones song "Miss Amanda Jones" is heard during the scene in which Keith showers before his big date, but does not appear on the soundtrack album, as does the cover by The March Violets.

The Gerry Goffin–Carol King song "Some Kind of Wonderful," originally recorded by The Drifters and frequently covered — though presumably the inspiration for the film's title — is not used in the film or on the soundtrack album.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Some Kind of Wonderful". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  2. ↑ Harris, Will (2012-02-21). "Random Roles: Lea Thompson". avclub.com. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  3. ↑ "Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  4. 1 2 Ebert, Roger (1987-02-27). "Review: Some Kind of Wonderful". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  5. 1 2 Maslin, Janet (1987-02-27). "Film: 'Some Kind of Wonderful'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  6. ↑ Richard Schickel (1987-03-09). "Cinema: Teen Turmoil Some Kind Of Wonderful". Time. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  7. ↑ "Some Kind of Wonderful". Variety. 1987-01-01. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  8. ↑ Richard Harrington (1987-02-28). "Some Kind of Wonderful". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  9. ↑ Sutton, Michael. "Review: Some Kind of Wonderful – Original Soundtrack". Allmusic. Retrieved 30 January 2013.

External links

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