Some Kind of Wonderful

I am a huge fan of the legendary Hughes films of the Eighties. This is the sleeper of the bunch. A true hidden jem not just of the Hughes films, but all of those teenage films that dominated 80's theater. This is the last true masterpiece that he created. He followed his string of teenage targeted sucesses with Uncle Buck & Home Alone. He never returned back to his roots. This is the ultimate love story of all his films & a glorious grand finale.I wrote my first review of Some Kind of Wonderful on Feb. 15th, 2007. I recently had to do a report for school about teen films so I chose one of my favorites... this one. I am posting an abridged version of my report; a better review I hope.The 80's were the greatest for teen movies in general. John Hughes' was by far the man known to define 1980's outstanding cinema with a list of the most known teen films of that decade. Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Pretty in Pink, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off all have to be mentioned if anyone is discussing teen movies in general. These were all hits and are still popular amongst diehard fans of that era in film. John Hughes would go on to write, produce, and / or direct Uncle Buck, the hit Home Alone & the odd, but funny Planes, Trains, & Automobiles. He had a way of understanding teen issues of the day and was able to express them in his writing and in his directing.1987's Some Kind of Wonderful is an interesting teen love triangle in the vein of another Hughes film, Pretty in Pink. This film has a fantastic cast and practically a perfectly written script. Numerous characters are well thought out and developed within the film; not just thrown together to be shown once only to be forgotten ten minutes later... well maybe with the exception of the Mom character. It is very easy to be drawn into this world of 80's teenage angst. The sensationally edgy soundtrack helps to achieve this by bringing more emotion from the fabulous performances of the excellent ensemble.Some Kind of Wonderful opens up with the character Watts rapidly playing on some drums. The rhythm drives the initial and traditional 80's montage that introduces all of the main players. The beautiful Watts is played by the fresh faced Mary Stewart Masterson. Her bobbed blonde hair is very reminiscent of Human League's Susan Ann Sulley. Mary truly steals the film with an absolutely amazing performance as the heart torn best friend. Watts is a tomboy from the wrong side of town and best friend to the main character in the film Keith. The curious and hard working Keith Nelson is played by Eric Stoltz. Keith is a loner artist from a blue collar family from the same neighborhood as Watts. The gorgeous Amanda Jones is next introduced in the arms of her rich and popular boyfriend. Amanda is played by the wonderful actress Lea Thompson. Hardy Jenns, Amanda's snobbish and obnoxious boyfriend is played by Craig Sheffer. Some may recognize him as the quarterback alongside James Caan in the awesome 1990's college football film, The Program. These four consist of the main force that drives this film.Keith works after school as an auto mechanic and gas station attendant saving money for his unknown future. When he is not working he spends his time either painting and illustrating or hanging out with his pal Watts. Keith is an admirer of the popular and totally taken Amanda Jones. His interest increases and he totally falls for her. A glimmer of hope begins to shine for Keith when Amanda and her A hole of a boyfriend's relationship starts to crumble. Keith consults his good friend Watts for advice in his quest for love. She does not respond in kind and repeatedly explains to him that there is no chance for him to ever go out with Amanda who hangs out with the rich kids. Hardy, Amanda's boyfriend realizes Keith's interest in his girlfriend and tensions start to build between them. Tension increases between the frustrated good friend Watts and the clueless Keith as he continues to plan to win the heart of Amanda...If you want to know how this all ends you will have to see the movie. No sense in ruining it for you.There has to be a definite mention of the high school bully Skinhead named Duncan. He is awesomely played by Elias Koteas; a little reminiscent of a young De Niro at times. There are a couple of scenes with a young Candace Cameron playing Keith's youngest sister; one where she is shuffling through some awesome Garbage Pail Kids cards. Candace played the oldest sister on the show Full House.Interestingly there is a sneaky Rolling Stones theme throughout this film. The main character, Keith, is named after Keith Richards the legendary guitarist. Keith's best friend Watts who is an obsessed percussionist is named after the drummer from the Rolling Stones, Charlie Watts. Last, but not least Amanda Jones is a Rolling Stones song and is used twice in the movie. On another music note Chyna Phillips plays the other love interest of Amanda's boyfriend Hardy. Chyna was part of the 90's band Wilson / Phillips and the daughter of Mamma & the Pappa's John and Michelle Phillips.Some Kind of Wonderful is a one of a kind; truly a great movie. It did not reach the same status as Hughes' other classics. Sadly this film was advertised poorly and many thought it was just a rehash of Pretty in Pink. Regardless this was the last true teen masterpiece that Hughes made in the 80's. Now there are a dime a dozen American Pie type clones thrown together that cannot tell a story as fraction as well as John Hughes could. Sadly he is no longer around and passed away a few years back. Luckily he left us with a great bunch of films that give us all a glimpse into the life of a teen and a view of the 80's.

So my stepdaughter is collecting VHS tapes it’s the range amongst all the 20 some things and she wanted a list of favorite movies of her father and I so we picked out a few and the seller was fantastic. The VHS tape arrived in perfect vintage condition and she was beyond thrilled Shipping went well

Movie grabs your heart and never leaves.

Loved this movie when it originally came out and still love it.

It's a great movie!!!

Good teenage angst romance film complete with the Officer and a Gentleman ending. Mary Stuart Masterson's performance made this movie, but the cast here is 80's solid! You'll love the mid-80's nostalgia, but the depth of Masterson's character (Watts) keeps you rooting for her!!

I purchased this movie to show my teenage kids. To my surprise, they loved the movie! It is a great movie to show to your kids. Teenage kids I’d say. The movie was flawless. It came in a dvd case and no scratches. Great price and was shipped in record time.

Eric Stoltz is gorgeous as a young mechanic who aspires to fit in with the popular crowd and eventually figures out that he actually loves his best friend, who is a tomboy. Always uplifting and never boring.

Prefetto. C'è la lingua italiana, si vede in 16:9. Un pezzo rarissimo che sono riuscito ad aggiungere alla collezione. Peccato non ci siano contenuti extra, ma considerato il periodo del film e la sua rarità ci può stare.

Fue una de las peliculas de mi adolescencia que me marco y me gustaba tanto que por fin la encontre de adulta y me la compre para tener de recuerdo

* Basic Story OutlineSet in 1987, four teens are in upper years of a U.S. high school. An artistically inclined come mechanic Kieth (Stolz) is friends with a tomboy, Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) and they have been friends since primary school and been taking each other from granted. Keith is under stress from his dad to select a college and keeps hiding his own opinion about if he wants to study. He casts his eyes to an Uptown Girl, (Lea Thompson) who is associated with a wealthy, arrogant student. (Craig Sheffer). Craig sees his girlfriend going away from his circle to Kieth, and plans to beat him up to regain control over her. The social structure balance is about to change as they interact with each other. What happens next?* CommentThe film is beautifully balanced romance and sweet kindness. It's not totally realistic maybe but it's so sweet its a pleasure to watch. The actors are 100% capable of explaining their individual characters and gelling together. The film characters have little exclusion of characters, such as the skinhead has good manners! Watts isn't academic but still a friend who sees explanations of social motives clearly and has a kind character. I think the primary motive for Watts action is that she is thinking she isn't alluring enough to compete with Keith's desire and come out straight and tell Keith how she feels about him. She fears to do this she may lose him outright. Kieth and Watts have grown up together since primary school, and when their friendship is under stress with this new romantic inclination, Watts realises her own growing uncovering feelings of attachment to Kieth and wants to get him back but does this subtle under-the-radar plan of helping him to get his girlfriend romantic enmeshed. It's a beautifully written classic I enjoy. A long while ago, I wrote a fan letter to Mary Stuart Masterson and she sent a lovely letter back! She explained that we are all connected by emotions and this is wonderful.

Good film in a steel-book format.

Comme d’habitude sur Amazon, un très bon service ce qui est appréciableDéjà visionné, malheureusement si comme moi vous avez vu ce film sur canal plu dans les années 90, la version francaise est une vrai version en francais, mais d'une qualité médiocre.Il vaut mieux le visualiser en anglais pour ceux qui peuvent ! ! !