Question for those of us who were in college in the mid 80's.... - St. Elmo's Fire (1985) Discussion

[–] jefgg 11 years ago

I was none of them.

reply

[–] rogun-35750 9 years ago

Same here. I watched the movie in theaters when it was released. Didn't relate to it then and still don't today. Major disappointment all around.

reply

[–] geor1772 9 years ago

One of the best movies of the 80's with a great soundtrack. I can relate to all of the characters in this cult flick. Watch it at last 5 times a year! Most of you are clueless!

reply

[–] rogun-35750 9 years ago

It had a good cast, but the movie felt like it was forced or contrived. The characters all came across as "preppies" of that time, who had finally stepped outside the traditional preppy image, but were now lost with menial problems in a new environment.

Likewise, the soundtrack was glossed over in the studio to perfectly match the consistently safe, boring patterns set forth by the music industry in the eighties.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but the movie showcases everything wrong with the entertainment industry during the eighties.

reply

[–] AllEighties 9 years ago

What do expect for the Georgetown crowd back then? Of course they had mostly been preppies.

reply

[–] tonybny 11 years ago

Quite frankly, I see myself as a mix of either Estevez' or McCarthy's characters, in that I always seem to fall for women that I can't have, and secretly pine for them. No stalking though LOL.

reply

[–] indyhu 11 years ago

Back then, my friends and I really identified with a lot in the film.

But now, I can't remember if the film was like us, or if we tried to be like them.

Remember, early twenties-somethings can be quite pretentious.

reply

[–] jgroub 11 years ago

I was in college when it came out, and I know that I identified with the movie a lot myself. I identified most with Andrew McCarthy's tortured soul character. Not because any of my friends had girlfriends I wanted to nail, however.

I also identified with Emilio Estevez' character a lot. Again, not because there was a particular woman that I became obsessed with, but because I kind of became obsessed with lots of pretty girls in college.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

reply

[–] seahawk3133 11 years ago

I was in high school in 1985 and boys that wore one earring got beat up and called homosexual slurs in my school (only a couple boys tried it). Was that cool in other areas?

reply

[–] ChrisCuda 11 years ago

Cool in the left ear....gay in the right. I graduated in '85 on the west coast.

reply

[–] theoriginalskinnyrinny 11 years ago

Left is right.
Right is wrong.

reply

[–] jefgg 11 years ago

I grew up on the East Coast. I used to hear "the right is not alright" about guys with pierced ears.

reply

[–] Htos_Drol 10 years ago

In my school in the 1980's if a guy wore an earring, this is what it meant:

Left Ear: You were a 'head'. It meant that you smoked weed and listened to Blue Oyster Cult.

Right Ear: You were a queer.

Both Ears: You were considered in drag.

Yeah. I lived in the middle of nowhere.

reply

[–] lyndawhitt70-1 9 years ago

Grew up in a suburb of Chicago - same there -left is right, right is wrong. Graduated in 1988.

reply

[–] dhshoops2001 10 years ago

I graduated from a similar school (Holy Cross '87) and my friends there were infinitely more interesting than this crew.

This movie is soooo bad....watching on TVGN flipping around now....embarrassingly so.

reply

[–] escottmusicstudio 10 years ago

I was a combination of Jules and Wendy. I was the virgin who couldn't tear myself away from "the bad guy", but I was also the girl with a good job, often over her head, trying to convince everyone else she was fabulous. LOL This is one of my favorite movies.

I fell in love with Kevin the first time I saw it.

reply

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ABetterDay 10 years ago

I think anyone who graduated from their undergrad university in 1985 had to be affected by this film. It could have spoken to those before and especially after but, for those who graduated in '85, this film will always be special.

Remember When Movies Did Not Have To Be Politically Correct?

reply

[–] jefgg 10 years ago

I hope I was not as shallow and/or superficial as the St. Elmo's characters.

reply

[–] internet-ultrageek 9 years ago

Didn't relate to any of them, but I know/knew people who might be a few of the characters. Except that I met them after college.

reply