Brats

Despite its problems (no one - even Demi Moore whose star rose AFTER the article - realizes that H'wood success was predicated entirely on being in hit films - article or not; a toxic - but now mandatory - aside faulting John Hughes for not shoehorning blacks into stories that didn't - GASP! - involve them), I really enjoyed this. Having been deeply moved by Hughes films as a teen, seeing these actors again kicked up the old warm feelings - a privilege McCarthy took too long to realize.

Frankly too whiny and self-pitying in tone for me. By all means mention the “brat pack” article and the fall out from it as a section of a greater documentary about that era in teen/youth film, but by god, bitching about it for an hour and a half, like damn, I got a few jokes and potshots about me while being a wealthy and successful actor, grab me a violin McCarthy! Also annoying that I still have to see documentary crews in their covid masks when they peek into frame in summer of 2024.

Some bonus points if you went through your formulative years with these actors and their films. McCarthy brings heart, and pain to this , obviously, but makes some mistakes with unneeded artsy camera transitions. It's also scattershot, moving from a topic and back several times. There is some really nice interviewing, with a lot of insight, particularly from Rob Lowe and Demi Moore (arguably the two who found grater success past the Brat Pack label). Worth watching.

It's a little underwhelming considering how deep it could have gone. What we do get is an informative look back at a key moment in film history, and how one man gradually comes to terms with getting the worst of it.