Emilio Estevas is a waiter who is in love with a girl who works in a hospital, but does not pay him romantic attention.
Billy / Rob Lowe / - constantly losing his job, a talented saxophonist, married on the flight, a womanizer, constantly cheating on his wife.
Kevin / Andrew McCarthy / - single, does not date anyone, which is why one of his friends suspects him of unconventional preferences
Jules / Demi Moore / - fashionista-beautiful, whose father constantly married and divorced, frivolous, does not differ in particular severity of morals, does not shun prohibited substances.
Alec / Judd Nelson / - careerist, for the sake of a good place able to compromise principles, although he is in a serious relationship, in intrigues does not deny himself.
Leslie / Ellie Sheedy / - lives with Alec, but refuses to marry him
Wendy / Mayor Winningham / - a girl from a wealthy family, whose father wants her daughter to successfully marry and continue the family business; dreams of independence, works in social services, is in love with Billy, "gray mouse"
Dale /Andy McDowell / - the object of Kirby's sigh
This film is warm, life-romantic and quite interesting. Lamp. Right at least a marathon on the pictures of the 80-90s arrange, so nice to watch this.
However, the heroes do not say that everyone is close. I mean, I mean, why would I care about a womanizer or a drug-addicted, traumatized girl? That's not what I meant. It's just that the people whose stories are shown are not fifteen, they've all graduated from university. They behave like teenagers.
On the other hand, they are only 22-23. What do you expect from them? Is that maturity? Isn’t this the time when you can do desperate things in the name of love, for example, without fear of making mistakes, but simply to do things?
In general, this is a good film about friendship, about people’s relationships, about how these relationships can change under the influence of certain actions of his parties. I was a little lacking in depth, even though the Jules story, for example, claimed it. But this film is relaxing, not stressful.
It is noteworthy that Demi plays here a girl who occasionally takes drugs. And the actress herself, as I read after watching, once came to the set high, why the director kicked her out. And allegedly after that, she went to the clinic and got rid of addiction. I don't know how reliable the information is, maybe it's an advertising move.
The actor who played Billy received the Golden Raspberry. Honestly, I don't know why. He plays well, his character is just weird. You have to stick to it, right?
The painting has an open ending. Not so much that you sit and think, but what next? And the one you think, "Oh, that's it?" All right, let's go. Well, because the film is not burdensome, you remember.
The sailors believed them. But the thing is, they didn't exist. There was no Saint Elma. It's all fiction.
'Lights of St. Elm' I watched primarily because of the participation of actress Demi Moore, who I consider a symbol of American cinema of the 90s and one of the few modern actresses who has all the properties of a classic movie star. Demi did not disappoint me here, moreover, I venture to call ' Lights' her best role in the period of the 80s. Now to the film itself: to confess, the low rating of film critics is not quite clear to me, since, firstly, this is not the worst film directed by Schumacher (even if we take the period of the 80s). And secondly, not the worst youth drama. Of course, it's not exactly John Hughes: the drama in 'Fires' prevails over comedy. And we are not dealing with teenagers, but with young men and women who graduate from college and begin adulthood. But this film needs a more balanced assessment.
This picture tells about the difficulties and vicissitudes that have to face in their adult life, the company of friends. If I had to say in a nutshell what this film is about, I would say it’s about freedom, the pursuit of freedom (and ultimately salvation). Each of the characters strives for freedom and finds it in something of his own: someone independent of his parents, someone in love and marriage, someone in creativity and work, someone in love affairs on the side and drugs. Sometimes the interests of the heroes clash and then it becomes unclear who will ultimately emerge victorious from this particular situation. Who will be saved, and who will save you and come to the rescue in a difficult moment. What can not be taken away from 'Saint Elma Fires' is the characteristic style. Pink walls in Demi Moore's apartment, earrings in Rob Lowe's ear, Andy McDowell's long curly hair and cute melodramatic music. All this together works on the atmosphere of the film and on the creation of the very unique aesthetic of the American 80s.
The film is beautiful and pleasant, the music (slightly 'syrup' but not too much) caresses the ear and creates a wonderful mood, the actors are young and attractive. So why should I be outraged here? The only thing the filmmakers might need to do (and that would only strengthen the film, in my opinion) was introduce a homosexual hero. It would add that missing element to the plot and enrich the action. There is a homosexual character here, but he is more caricatured and episodic. In the rest - the spectacle is solid and sustained. A group of actors (including Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Ellie Sheedy and Demi Moore) was nicknamed in those years by film critics - Brat Pack. That is, young and daring stars who have just played their first roles in the films Hughes and Schumacher. ' The Lights of St. Elm' are not only of artistic interest, but also of historical interest. As an example of one of the peaks of this group of actors as we know and remember them.
8 out of 10
It’s a movie that doesn’t attract you at first. You only see stupid snot in it, boring slow storytelling, not a single hint of an interesting plot, but then, with every minute, you get soaked in this picture, you start to feel something, you get warmer and warmer, and in the end you finally fall in love with the Lights of St. Elmo, and you do not understand how after watching such a simple film, so much was revealed in you.
1. It’s a collection of stories that could happen to each of us. 8 completely different people, but in everyone you find a part of yourself. Every awkward dialogue, every stupid action, every bold step, every failure and every take-off – all this you find in your life too.
2. In fact, this is a kind of self-teaching and an excellent indicator of how and in what situations it is worth or not to act. After all, all the characters have either their own complexes, or an unpleasant past that does not let them go, or an unpleasant present and all the stupid mistakes they make because of the feeling of youth. After all, even in the brightest, sweet and rainbow scenarios, everything can go awry, you can never be sure of anything and insured against troubles and adversity. Thanks to this film, in the future you can survive all these difficulties and misfortunes.
3. This is a story about growing up and becoming an adult. About what values different people acquire and about how they acquire these values.
4. Incredibly accurate timeline. Music, parties, politics, clothing, fashion, style of communication and behavior – all filled with the spirit of the 80s, you understand that those days are already gone and you really consider it to some extent a rarity or rarity.
5. This film shows how different and multi-stage people are. Even now, being in a relatively conscious age, we all have goals, emotions, character and believe that we are on the right path, that we will never turn away from it and everything that is happening now will continue for many, many years. But that's not true. We will change a million times, change course a million times, and forget the past a million times. The only thing we can do (again, having learned from this film) is try not to lose what is really dear to us, so that even when you change your path or character, what you cherish is always there for you.
6. And the story itself. You don’t remember half the names, some characters get confused, but again, this movie just goes. Everything is done as it should be, everything that should have been said and shown-transmitted, and in some places understatement leaves room for reflection, which even more paints the film, because in such situations there will never be clarity, only relying on our views and thoughts, we can come up with a perfect ending according to our version.
So what's the bottom line?
Yes, sometimes heroes behave stupidly and thoughtlessly. Yes, the plot is as simple as a screwdriver batina, but at the same time, it is just as effective and irreplaceable (which I just wrote). This film needs all these lengthy introductions and sharp transitions between scenes, it needs all this non-linearity and cliché of the average girl evening melodramas.
Reasonably, I understand that this is not a perfect film, but the heart asks to put the highest rating.
9 out of 10
But only because of a personal desire to find only one amazing film and put it 10/10.
If only I could forget everything and watch this movie again.
I came across this creation by accident, in recommendations. Once you watch the Breakfast Club, you will not be able to stop loving these actors and you will want to see them in new and unpredictable images.
From the first frames, the film absorbs in the crisis era of the formation of characters’ personalities and searches for themselves. A company of completely different guys who are connected by ties, secrets about common experiences, gather in a cafe under the ambiguous name “Saint Elm’s Lights”, an educational tradition with which you do not want to part. Each character is a separate drama, which you want to unravel for each knot.
The film can not be attributed to such concepts as good or bad, fun or sad.
It is imbued with ironic humor, harsh reality with difficulties in finding a job, casual connections for which you can then be responsible, the torments of unrequited love and true friendship.
This picture is like infused wine, you drink it, and you feel the aftertaste bouquet better, because it opens up more and more brightly.
Without a doubt, I can attribute this film to one of the best youth melodramas.
10 out of 10
I’m sure I’m not the only person interested in 80s movies after John Hughes’ great Breakfast Club. I liked actor Judd Nelson the most. Having dug into the Internet, I came across a film that is somewhat consonant with the "Club", judging by the numerous reviews. "The Lights of St. Elm" - a gift for those who managed to fall in love with Rebel, Princess, Smart, Athlete and Abnormal.
After watching, I can say for sure: the movie is very atmospheric. You seem to be transported to the United States of the late XX century and trying to find a place in society with the main characters of the film. Does Billy remind you of Bender from the notorious Breakfast Club? He also rebels, he doesn't plan anything, and it's hard to tell in advance what daring action he'll do next. The cast in both films is almost the same. But the pitch is slightly different, although the idea is still the same - in the film "St. Elmo's Lights" shows different types of young people and their lifestyle.
What does that say? It seems to me that every person can recognize himself in one of the heroes, see his life as if from the outside. This makes the film very realistic.
No matter how different the characters are, they are united by friendship, shared memories, love, willingness to help and support each other in difficult situations. And, of course, this is a story about youth, crazy actions and willingness to take risks, to find your way in life.
I would also like to add that the film does not have a happy ending in our usual sense. There remains some incompleteness, some incompleteness. But the same thing happens in life. You never know where one chapter ends and another begins.
This is the end of university life, and recent students suddenly become adults and move into the real world. But are they ready for it and can they quickly become responsible and useful citizens of society, or will this world break them?
A few months after the release of John Hughes' drama about five different high school students, director Joel Schumacher is releasing a film about seven college graduates. And although they have a similar genre, and both starred several of the same actors, it is a completely different, more adult story.
Have you ever felt like you were wasting your time?
I can imagine what it would be like.
We have four guys and three girls taking their first steps on their own. One of them has already begun to climb the career ladder, the second does not yet know who he wants to be, the third has already managed to become disappointed in love, the fourth is simply obsessed with thoughts about an unfamiliar girl; the fifth still lives with her parents, the sixth has no real family, the seventh may soon go to the altar ... Each of them has yet to find their own way of life, but no matter how difficult it is for them, no matter how often they fail each other, their friendship and support help them overcome any difficulties of the adult world. Judd Nelson, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Mayor Winningham, Demi Moore and Ellie Sheedy – all of whom in the 80s were called The Brat Pack – look at these wonderful young actors and think where are they all now? They've gotten older and gone into the shadows, but in this film they shine with their talent.
Starting his story in the ambulance, director Joel Schumacher immediately makes it clear that these characters can easily get into an unpleasant situation, but they will deal with it together. According to the genre of the youth drama about growing up, the film touches on the questions of love and sex, the choice of work for the soul or for the sake of money, responsibility, finding yourself, determining your desires and plans for the future. Yes, the heroes chose the easiest, but effective method of understanding the big world - to learn from their own mistakes. From the atmosphere of the film blows the warmth of the 80s, there was something magical and cozy in them. And the very essence of the story is perfectly embodied in this beautiful metaphor about the lights of St. Elmo, which may be just a vision, but they still give strength and hope to move on. Just like real friends who will not leave in difficult times. And the final scenes prove it, causing a storm of emotions. This is definitely an underrated film of its time, which is too early to forget.
So what, you lost your job? I have already lost twenty jobs since graduation. Plus a wife and a baby. And, in addition, this morning in the shower found that he began to go bald.
Serious failures and mistakes are an integral part of adult life, but it is much easier to deal with them when everything is still ahead, and there are loyal friends nearby.
After Breakfast Club, I became interested in 80s movies. And St. Elmo's Lights was the first after the Club. And the choice fell on him, because the actors were Judd Nelson, whose filmography I climbed. After watching the first minutes of this film, I realized that almost the entire company “Breakfast” smoothly migrated to this film! It was like meeting good friends after a long breakup. Plus I was waiting for a pleasant addition in the faces of young Demi Moore and Rob Love.
I thought we were friends forever. Eternity was much shorter.
Youth films of the 80s have their own unique atmosphere: an atmosphere of freedom, rebellion and eternal youth. Such films cause the brightest emotions: smiles, tears, laughter. And most importantly, these films are very life-affirming. Seriously, after such films I want to live. It's just that you start to realize that true friendship, like true love, exists. That’s basically all a person needs.
It's odd that "Breakfast Club" became iconic and "Lights" didn't. The second one is not the first. They are both perfectly beautiful and worth seeing, perhaps even repeated. It is a pity that the "Lights of St. Elmo" are not known to the general public.
"The country is falling apart, and the grid is made in glory"
Seven friends - Billy, Jules, Kevin, Leslie, Kirby, Kevin and Wendy. Everyone made me love him. Whether it's a bad "eternal child" Billy, wearing an insanely cool earring in his ear and looking like a rock star, or virgin Wendy, desperately in love with Billy, or mischievous lady Jules, or Kevin, in love with the girlfriend of Alec's friend, Leslie - all of them at the time of watching the film were so natural that I believed that they all exist. I felt like I was part of their friendship. I was worried about them as friends. For this sincerity, I already love two eighties films. I'm going to find a couple more.
I was afraid to disappoint you in my irresistibility.
- Cool. And I was afraid to disappoint you in my not being serious.
"Lights of St. Elmo" is an easy, funny and kind film about true friendship. So do not miss the chance to get acquainted with the American cinema of the 80s.
9 out of 10