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. Blue collar mechanic Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz) and his tomboyish friend Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) aspire to improve their social standing. When Keith asks out the most popular and attractive girl in school, Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson), Watts realizes her feelings for him are much deeper. Watts tells Keith that Amanda will appreciate a good kisser, and shows Keith how to kiss, whereupon Keith is confused by his romantic feelings for both girls. He later uses his college fund, with Watts in tow, and selects a pair of earrings for Amanda.

Meanwhile, Hardy Jenns (Craig Sheffer), Amanda's ex-boyfriend from a wealthy neighborhood, 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 part of it, but goes ahead with the date anyway, spending the rest of his college money on an expensive dinner 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 taking a beating. Keith tells Jenns he is "over" her and Amanda slaps Jenns's face.

In the end, Amanda decides that she needs to learn to stand on her own, and returns the earrings that Keith gave to her. Keith, pleased with the result, and realizing that he is in love with his best friend, bids Amanda goodbye with a kiss on the cheek, after she urges him to go after Watts. Keith catches up to Watts and they kiss, whereupon Keith confesses to Watts that he had no idea how she really felt about him. Keith then gives Watts the earrings after she admitted that she wanted them the whole time, and Keith jokes that Watts knew she was going to get them, and she says that she hoped but that she didn't know. Watts asks Keith how they look, and he replies, "You look good wearing my future."

Cast

Production

Hughes was personally not happy with the ending of Pretty in Pink and decided to rewrite the story, even asking Howard Deutch (who had directed Pretty in Pink) to direct the new film. Hughes also wanted Molly Ringwald to play the female lead role, but she declined in order 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 just starred in—Howard the Duck—spectacularly flopped.[2]

Hughes named the 3 main protagonists as an inside-joke tribute to the Rolling Stones. [3][4]

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an 80% critic rating based on 35 reviews.[5] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times praised the film, calling it worthwhile and entertaining.[6] 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".[7] Richard Schickel of Time, however, criticized the film for being unrealistic.[8] Masterson's performance was singled out for praise by several critics.[6][7][9][10]

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[11]
  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.

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. ↑ "Hughes bio says names were tribute to Rolling Stones".
  4. ↑ "12 Wonderful Facts About "Some Kind Of Wonderful"".
  5. ↑ "Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  6. 1 2 Ebert, Roger (1987-02-27). "Review: Some Kind of Wonderful". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  7. 1 2 Maslin, Janet (1987-02-27). "Film: 'Some Kind of Wonderful'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  8. ↑ Richard Schickel (1987-03-09). "Cinema: Teen Turmoil Some Kind Of Wonderful". Time. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  9. ↑ "Some Kind of Wonderful". Variety. 1987-01-01. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  10. ↑ Richard Harrington (1987-02-28). "Some Kind of Wonderful". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  11. ↑ Sutton, Michael. "Review: Some Kind of Wonderful – Original Soundtrack". Allmusic. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
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