Sixteen Candles (1984)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jeff "

  
  John Hughes had the touch to create memorable Teen comedies. In fact, he is the only that was able to pull off some of the most memorable and smartest films of the genre. He understood teenagers and there frustrations. Using a whimsical comedy style, Hughes utilized common teenage… More
  John Hughes had the touch to create memorable Teen comedies. In fact, he is the only that was able to pull off some of the most memorable and smartest films of the genre. He understood teenagers and there frustrations. Using a whimsical comedy style, Hughes utilized common teenage issues in a funny, creative way, and made the viewer realize that he himself found it that embarrassing. With Sixteen Candles, John Hughes crafts yet another strong film. The film surrounds a girl whose birthday everyone has forgotten. She proceeds to have a terrible day, and everything goes from bad to worse. The cast is terrific. And they each deliver great performances. John Hughes has made nothing but good films; Sixteen Candles is a great film that will make you laugh. The film is memorable and is entertaining and a lot fun as with every other John Hughes films. Sixteen Candles has blends comedy and romance very well, and it's not cheesy whatsoever like every other romance comedy. That's the beauty about John Hughes' films, he knew how to balance different elements and make it work well to benefit the finished film. The result is yet another timeless comedy with a great cast that definitely is very entertaining and a lot of fun. Only John Hughes could pull something like this. A terrific comedy and is one of Hughes' best films along with The Breakfast Club.

• Thomas B

  
  A cut above the usual teen movie by way of a whip smart script, great editting and a fantastic performance by Anthony Michael Hall. Full review later.

• Bethany M

  
  Another great 80's film from John Hughes!

• Brad W

  
  An american classic. Its hilarious, and interesting. Great young actors, and one of the best high school movies ever.

• Shawn E

  
  A John Hughes masterpiece that perfectly captures not only the 80's time period but the struggles of being a teenager. The characters are great, and the performances are real. Many hilarious moments and scenes too adorable to describe.

• KJ P

  
  Sixteen Candles is a classic 80's film, but sometimes it feels slow. It is humorous and very true to heart. The story of a teenage girl on her 16th birthday, when nobody even realizes that it's her birthday could not have been told in any way better than this. Of course… More
  Sixteen Candles is a classic 80's film, but sometimes it feels slow. It is humorous and very true to heart. The story of a teenage girl on her 16th birthday, when nobody even realizes that it's her birthday could not have been told in any way better than this. Of course it's a pretty basic premise, but the classic feel and the great acting by the cast makes this film great! I have seen better Ringwald films, but this one if definitely one of her best! Sixteen Candles does the best it can with whatever it has to offer and it succeeds with flying colours!

• erika b

  
  Everything about it was good but I did not like how it started out slow.

• AJ V

  
  My favourite Hughes movie, I love Molly Ringwald's character in this one, the story is fantastic and it's hilarious too. If you like Hughes films you should see this one too.

• Chris W

  
  Not only is this one of the most popular and well known of the "Brat Pack" films, it also has the distinction of rightly being considrred the Superbad of its day. That's a very fitting term, because I can definitely see the influence it had on that film, as well as a… More
  Not only is this one of the most popular and well known of the "Brat Pack" films, it also has the distinction of rightly being considrred the Superbad of its day. That's a very fitting term, because I can definitely see the influence it had on that film, as well as a wide swath of popular culture overall. This is the story of a sweet yet unapprecuiated girl whose family forgets her 16th birthday. On top of that, her older sister is getting married the day after her birthday, so she is ignored even more. On top if that, the boy she has a major crush on doesn't even seem to realize she exists. On to of THAT is the fact that the one boy who does know she exists is a totaly geek who is absolutely obsessed with her. This is all at one a funny, sweet, edgy, and wild ball of fun, heart, and ain. It superbly captures what it is like ot be a teenager and have to deal all kinds of awful, embarassing, and ridiculous crap. One of the best things about hte late john Hughes is how well he understood youth. The way he writes them and their dialogue is spot on, never condescending, and very well rounded. There are of course some stereotypes and archetypes, but only a small section of the are purely caricature- all of the rest, mainly the leads as played by Ringwald, Schoeffling, and Hall are well rounded and fleshed out characters who are more complex than they seem, and have far more to offfer than what the surface shows. In the hilarious scene stealing role of Long Duk Dong is Gedde Watanabe. This character is a goofy exchange student who loves ot party. The character is borderline offensive, but Watanabe's performances transcends that and elevates things to the level of genial farce. Had I grown up with this movie, and if I were a fan of the 80s in the same way that I'm a fan of the 60s, 70s, and 90s, then I'd give this one 5 stars easily (probably). As much as I like this movie, and a good as it is, I was originally just going to give it a 4. It is really good, and pretty solid, but not all of it has aged well. The general themes and ideas and timesless, but the specific details are very much of their time, thus they are dated, but not in the same sort of way that like a blaxploitation film is. They are charming, but only to a slight extent. I'm giving this movie the benefit of the doubt though, because it is really hilarious, very sweet, and, as I said, a very influential film. As someone who really doesn't care too much for 80s pop culture, I'd call that some definite high praise.

• Alice S

  
  This movie is both sweet and edgy, yet it doesn't seem to TRY for that winning combination like sweet/edgy movies of today. Perhaps it's also because there weren't as many MPAA restrictions back then. Molly Ringwald has an angsty charm that I dig. She's not… More
  This movie is both sweet and edgy, yet it doesn't seem to TRY for that winning combination like sweet/edgy movies of today. Perhaps it's also because there weren't as many MPAA restrictions back then. Molly Ringwald has an angsty charm that I dig. She's not whiney; she's real, dude. Too bad she's all mom-in-headlights now on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." Jake Ryan is pretty dreamy - the Adonis with the heart of gold - but how long is this relationship really gonna last? They don't know anything about each other! I rather like Samantha and The Geek's friendship though. The character-building moment of Samantha allowing The Geek use of her underwear really cements her as one of the coolest girls in American cinema.

• Nicki M

  
  An all time favourite of mine that I have loved since I was about 12 years old... I wonder how much of an unbiased review this will be.... Admittedly, on a re-watch last night, (and it's probably about the 100th re-watch in my life - the only thing that surprises me about this… More
  An all time favourite of mine that I have loved since I was about 12 years old... I wonder how much of an unbiased review this will be.... Admittedly, on a re-watch last night, (and it's probably about the 100th re-watch in my life - the only thing that surprises me about this one anymore is the soundtrack on the remastered DVD, as I watched my old, now retired, VHS copy so frequently that the changed soundtrack they used on that is ingrained in my head - I can acknowledge a few flaws. Most obvious is that Jake the dream guy is not actually that much of a catch at all. A guy who lets his passed out drunk girlfriend drive home with a teenager he just met, who can barely drive - yeah, that's a keeper. And let's not start on Long Duk Dong - very PC, I don't think! (Having said that I love Long Duk Dong!). On the plus side, Molly Ringwald as Samantha, who's parents are so busy thinking of her sister's upcoming wedding that they forget it's her 16 birthday, is just fantastic. Also great is Anthony Michael Hall as Farmer Ted and Haviland Morris is actually quite sweet as Caroline. This is just all round a great 80's movie, one of my favourites from John Hughes. Not quite as great as Pretty in Pink, but certainly on it's way there. I don't know if it would be as much loved by teens today, but luckily they have some great films of their own such as Easy A, which reminded me a little of this even though the story is nothing alike (maybe because they "borrowed" some of the (great!) soundtrack. I love the ending too with Jake at his car and then Samantha blowing out her candles. A sweet movie with enough angst to be relatable, but an ending that will leave you smiling.

• Conner R

  
  Molly Ringwald is just so incredibly adorable and perfect as the normal sixteen year old girl. The fact that that you can buy her performance makes everything else somehow work. Even with some kooky aspects, like horny Chinese exchange students, it still comes off as a very believable… More
  Molly Ringwald is just so incredibly adorable and perfect as the normal sixteen year old girl. The fact that that you can buy her performance makes everything else somehow work. Even with some kooky aspects, like horny Chinese exchange students, it still comes off as a very believable high school experience. The movie's premise somehow captures the worst fear of a lot of people, being totally forgotten and ignored. The romance, comedy and drama really seem genuine and that's what makes it so great.

• Cassie H

  
  This movie is so funny!!! Anthony Micheal Hall is SO FUNNY!!! You'll definetely get great laughs out of this adorably funny 80s teen comedy. I LOVE THE 80s!!! FOREVER!!! Love it! Just great! I love this movie :) I great 80s movie :)

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Donger's here for five hours, and he's got somebody. I live here my whole life, and I'm like a disease."</i> A young girl's "sweet sixteenth" birthday becomes anything but special as she suffers from every embarrassment… More
  <i>"Donger's here for five hours, and he's got somebody. I live here my whole life, and I'm like a disease."</i> A young girl's "sweet sixteenth" birthday becomes anything but special as she suffers from every embarrassment possible. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> John Hughes' first and perhaps most charming film written/directed by is about everyteen Ringwald facing every girl's worst nightmare: her parents totally forgetting her sweet 16th birthday as they obsess over older daughter Baker's upcoming wedding. To her rescue comes self-appointed "king of the dweebs" Hall (a laugh riot) as the moxied nerd who helps in her desire to meet hunky high school stud Schoeffling while romancing his gorgeous stuck up blonde babe-o-licious Morris (oh momma!) Funniest moment is Hall trying to prove to fellow loser Cusack his track record as a babe magnet by pulling up in a BMW with Morris comatose!

• Jennifer D

  
  Oh sexy girlfriend. I think I kinda died laughing.

• Tim S

  
  A John Hughes masterpiece.

• Anthony L

  
  Easily my favourite John Hughes movie. Anthony Michael Hall is brilliant but Gedde Watanabe really steals the show.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Sixteen Candles.... What a great movie. First crushes, first times, first parties.. Just a lot of firsts. Jake.. awww. Who didn't have a Jake in high school.. :) This movie is just a great movie done by an amazing director. Its funny and entertaining and you can relate to it… More
  Sixteen Candles.... What a great movie. First crushes, first times, first parties.. Just a lot of firsts. Jake.. awww. Who didn't have a Jake in high school.. :) This movie is just a great movie done by an amazing director. Its funny and entertaining and you can relate to it which is always good.. Definitely a classic and will be loved forever.

• Cassandra M

  
  Samantha Baker's opening line bemoaning her breast size. And that one dry observation is just the beginning of Samantha's hellish 16th birthday in Sixteen Candles, the debut feature from that king of the teen movies John Hughes. Sixteen Candles is very special for the… More
  Samantha Baker's opening line bemoaning her breast size. And that one dry observation is just the beginning of Samantha's hellish 16th birthday in Sixteen Candles, the debut feature from that king of the teen movies John Hughes. Sixteen Candles is very special for the simple reason that John Hughes showed other filmmakers of the day what a teen movie could be all about. Instead of an orgy of sex, booze and all night partying, films starring teenagers could be about real people. Young people with problems of their own. Fears. Insecurities. And a healthy dollop of angst. Sixteen Candles takes all of those qualities and makes a surprisingly fun film out of it. Even at the start of his career, John Hughes has made a film that's buoyant, brimming with confidence and delightfully dotty. Its everything a teen film should be. The film that put Molly Ringwald on the map shows off her budding talent (if not her breasts!). She really is quite wonderful in the role of Samantha because she must encapsulate a lot of emotions. Especially when the emotions of those around her are particularly running high. Even though its Samantha's birthday, her family are much more preoccupied with her elder sister Ginny's wedding. They completely forget that its her birthday. If that weren't bad enough, Samantha's high school crush Jake doesn't even know she exists. She's being hounded by "The Geek" (a sex-starved Anthony Michael Hall), and she's been lumbered with a Chinese foreign exchange student. And there's a party to go to. Sixteen Candles is quite a breezy film. Its a very confident debut for John Hughes. There are touches that would become hallmarks for Hughes. Carefully etched characters. His ear for teenspeak. And quirkiness. Hughes is known for having a certain quirky touch but in Sixteen Candles it really goes into overdrive. And that may be the film's only fault. Yes its a very funny film to be sure. But sometimes it feels like Hughes is more interested in springing the next oddball quirk on us than getting on and telling the story. The film is downright crazy at times. TV themes on the soundtrack (if well employed). Surreal images. There were times when these little curiosities quite wore me out. Every scene has something odd about it. Except one. The scene where Samantha's father Jim (Paul Dooley) sits her down and apologises for missing out on what may have been the most important birthday in Samantha's life. Its the one scene in the whole film where Hughes forgets about being nutty and concentrates on the characters themselves. Hughes is always at his best when he directs his own scripts, and this scene in particular really shines. Jim and Samantha actually feel like a real father and daughter. He doesn't quite connect on her level, but he senses her problems and offers to be a sympathetic ear, if not a solution to them. A wonderful scene brilliantly written and performed to perfection by Dooley and Ringwald. There is an actual plot going on throughout all the wackiness Hughes has let loose. And Ringwald is at the centre of it. This may in fact be her best performance. Not only because it feels like her truest film character, but she is exactly the same age as Samantha. 16. And that's why Ringwald so completely identifies with Samantha so perfectly. The film also has a very appealing list of co-stars around the edges of the story. At the head of the line is Anthony Michael Hall, suitably geekish without actually looking like a geek. At least he doesn't wear the thick glasses and lots of zits that crop up in many a teen movie's list of stereotypes. Hall wants to nail Samantha, the girl of his dreams so he can score points with all his geek pals. But in a surprisingly sweet scene, the two open up to each other instead. Its a moment where Hughes changes tack, and their relationship rotates from testy to understanding. Samantha confides in Hall her problems and being unlucky in love, and "The Geek" quite surprisingly offers to help out in a way that doesn't feel contrived at all. There are lots of neat little cameos from a few early risers. Look out for brother and sister John & Joan Cusack. John forms a part of the "Geek Trio", and although Joan walks through the film sporting an unsightly neck brace, she shows her considerable talent for physical comedy without having to do much of anything. Just the sight of her in that thing is worth the price of admission alone! Kramer vs Kramer star Justin Henry is perfectly horrid as Samantha's brattish brother Mike. Haviland Morris is perfectly bitchy as Jake's Prom Queen girlfriend Caroline, and Gedde Watanabe perfectly wacky as Long Duk Dong, the Chinese exchange student. His antics may seem offensive to some nitpickers, but since he looks like he's having so much fun, who cares? Michael Schoeffling is a bit on the bland side as Jake, but the way he and Samantha come together is still quite nice. John Hughes would continue to improve in the teen genre with greater and greater hits. But the sight gags, witty performances and sharp dialogue ensure Sixteen Candles will always remain a classic.

• Luke B

  
  Hilariously dated. This means you are mostly laughing AT it and not with it. From a racist Asian character that is accompanied my a Gong sound effect every time his name is mentioned, to a bet made where the winner gets floppy disks. It's kind of sweet and harmless but certainly… More
  Hilariously dated. This means you are mostly laughing AT it and not with it. From a racist Asian character that is accompanied my a Gong sound effect every time his name is mentioned, to a bet made where the winner gets floppy disks. It's kind of sweet and harmless but certainly not of the high quality of Breakfast Club or Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The most interesting character is surprisingly the high school jock. He actually wants a proper relationship and doesn't turn out to be a scuzz bucket. "Donger needs food" is a classic line though and John Cusack's small roll shows his future brilliance.

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