Pretty In Pink Blu-ray Review
Despite strong performances, “Pretty In Pink” is lesser John Hughes.
Directed by Howard Deutch and written and produced by John Hughes, 1986’s “Pretty In Pink” is a simple teen romance about a not so well off high school girl (Andie) who has a crush on a fellow student (the wealthy and attractive Blaine). Blaine isn’t the only one with eyes for Andie as her good friend Duckie and rich sleaze (Steff) are also falling for her.
John Hughes is synonymous with iconic teen films like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “The Breakfast Club” and while the New Wave music fueled “Pretty In Pink” has a devoted fanbase, it’s not one of his best. In addition to having a very basic story about economic class, love, and heartbreak, the central romance feels too superficial. I never really see why Andie and Blaine fall for one another. Sure, it’s a charming romantic tale in the end, but it’s also formulaic and lacking the depth of other John Hughes films.
Where “Pretty In Pink” really shines is with the cast which consists of Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Harry Dean Stanton, Annie Potts, James Spader, Andrew McCarthy, Andrew Dice Clay, and Gina Gershon. Ringwald is a charming lead as usual, but Jon Cryer (who plays the eccentric lovestruck friend of Andie), Harry Dean Stanton (as Andie’s heartbroken father), Annie Potts (the wild record store owner/mother figure to Andie), and James Spader (as the resident jackass) populate the film with memorable characters that elevate the material.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? The print (which is from a 4K transfer) offers up a nice crisp new hi-def transfer.
Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The dialogue is a little low but the soundtrack sounds fantastic.
Extras:
* Original theatrical trailer
* A featurette titled “The Lost Dance” on the original ending. Interviews and behind-the-scenes footage are included.
* Isolated score
* “Filmmaker Focus: Pretty In Pink”- Director Howard Deutch talks about how he got involved with the film, John Hughes, the production and more.
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Robert Ham
dmanderson
Andrea
nicklyons1
DVD Corner's blog 
Interersting. The original ending? What’s on the disc?
What do you mean what’s on the disc?
Yes. Having read the novelist took of the script, my understanding was that the original ending wasn’t filmed. Ringwald’s illness meant that her schedule wouldn’t allow scenes with Cryer and a reshot ending was shot with cast members individually. Happy to be corrected.
My mistake. I thought I clarified it. It’s a featurette on the original ending with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
Appreciate you catching that. Review updated.