Sixteen Candles By John Hughes

Hughes, John. Sixteen Candles. Universal Studios, 2008. PG. DVD. 93 minutes.

Plot Summary

Samantha “Sam” just turned 16 but no one her family has noticed since her older sister is getting married the next day. Her day has not started off to her liking but as it progresses it leads to an interesting and eventful day that she will always remember. Jake, her crush, finds a paper confessing her love to him, which he finds appealing, even though he is dating Carla, the hottest girl at school. Sam attends a school dance but don’t not have the guts to confront Jake. Jake is confused because he thinks that Sam in uninterested in him after she ran away when he was going to speak to her. Same leaves the sance and heads home but Jake manages to get her phone number. Jake has a big house party where everyone, except for Sam attends, where debauchery ensues but Jake fails to get a hold of Sam. Jake befriends, the geek, who is in love with Sam. It turns into an eventful night for Jake, the Geek, and Long Duck Dong. Sam’s 16 is not how she imagined but the day isn’t over yet!

Critical evaluation

Captures the essence of being teenagers in the 80s that today teenagers can relate to as well as having a great soundtrack. Sam like any other teenagers was looking forward to looking 16 but when no one remembered her birthday she new that it was not a good start. Like all John Hughes movies, Sixteen Candles, captures all the major characters that high schools have: the jock, the geeks, the pretty girl, and the semi outcast. The soundtrack is great and features various popular songs from the 80s. There are many one liners that make this movie unforgettable.

Readers Annotations

Sam just turned 16 but everyone in her family forgot about her birthday. Jake, her crush, finds out that she likes him but finds it impossible to get a hold of her. Jakes party is a riot but all he can think about is Sam who is fast asleep at home.

Information About the Author

The teenagers in "Sixteen Candles" look like teenagers because Hughes, for the most part cast teenagers -- instead of 26-year-olds -- to play teenagers.

Genre

Comedy/Drama/Romance

Curriculum Ties

Music

Booktalking Ideas

1) Talk about teenagers now and compare it to what they think teenagers in the 80s were
2) Long Duck Dong first person narrative
3) Various quotes from the movie

Reading Level/Interest Age

PG

Controversial Issues

Racism – Long Duk Dongs Character – a Chinese teenager who does not know Rnglish very well and is vey strange. Whenever he appears on a screen the song of a gong is heard.

Defend

2 Young Artist Award – Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall

Why Book Included

I love the music and I think it is one of the best movies that came out of the 80s teen genre.