Summary
The classic coming-of-age dramaSt. Elmo’s Firewas one of the most popular movies of 1985, although looking back on it almost four decades later, it had its fair share of issues. As the story of seven best friends traversing the challenges of early adulthood, this was a story that many people could relate to while also understanding that it was very much a product of its time.St. Elmo’s Firefeatured many outdated attitudes, uncomfortable representations, and character traits that no longer align with modern cinematic expectations.
As one of the majormovies associated with the Brat Pack, a group of young actors who appeared in many 1980s teen movies,St. Elmo’s Fireheld a special place in the hearts of countless movie lovers. While some viewers may disagree with judging older movies through a modern lens, this process was an interesting way to highlight changing societal beliefs and attitudes. CriticizingSt. Elmo’s Firefor not living up to modern social standards can sometimes feel harsh, but it can also act as a point of reflection that should not diminish the love for the original work.
10Pressured Into Unprotected Sex
When viewed through a modern lens, some of the thingsthe characters inSt. Elmo’s Firesaid appear outrageous, and the harsh reality was that many of them were manipulative, vindictive, and misogynistic. This was especially the case for the way Alec Newberry (Judd Nelson) spoke to Leslie Hunter (Ally Sheedy) early in the film about sleeping together. ThroughoutSt. Elmo’s Fire, Leslie made it abundantly clear she was not ready to get married or have kids, yet Alec had no issues attempting to pressure her into having unprotected sex.
As Leslie sought to use birth control, Alec dismissively told her, “You don’t need that thing,” and “Let’s play Russian roulette.” Thankfully, Leslie was able to stand up to Alec’s unacceptable request and retorted, “Guess who has to carry the bullet around for nine months?” before Jules arrived at their home.Alec pressuring Leslie into potentially having a baby with him felt like it had less to do with true love and more to do with coercive control, as he consistently sought to force her to commit to him throughout the film while simultaneously cheating on her.
9The Stereotypical Gay Neighbor
The characterizations inSt. Elmo’s Fireleft a lot to be desired, and aspects such as the racial representation of sex workers felt incredibly jarring upon rewatch. However, the movie also continually propagated another stereotype through Jules Van Patten’s (Demi Moore) neighbor, Ron Dellasandro (Matthew Laurance.) Although Ron was only a minor character who appeared briefly throughoutSt. Elmo’s Fire, his depiction as a stereotypically effeminate, cocktail-drinking gay man felt out of step with modern expectations around the representation of LGBTQ+ characters.
Ron’s sexuality was showcased to the viewer through lazy shorthand that stripped him of agencyand left him as a one-note addition to the cast, only there to serve the purpose of being LGBTQ+. This, paired with the expectation that he should get together with Kevin Dolenz (Andrew McCarthy), the friend many of the rest thought was gay, made Ron’s character almost like a laughingstock whose only reason for existing was to make a joke about. While this type of representation may have felt normal in 1985, it’s noticeably exclusionary today.
8Their Substance Intake Was Off-The Charts
It must be admitted that the story ofSt. Elmo’s Firedid take some measures to address substance abuse through the character of Jules Van Patten, who was seen using cocaine throughout the film. Jules’ character arc was one of slow decline as she was swept up in an affair with her boss and consistently partying throughout the film. Jules’ drug use reached a breaking point toward the end ofSt. Elmo’s Firewhen, after days of bingeing, her friends had to come and rescue her from freezing in her apartment.
However, the harsh reality was that lots of the characters inSt. Elmo’s Firewere seen partaking in substances throughout, as excessive drinking, drug use, and smoking were presented as normal behaviors for young people. While there’s no reason that these kinds of things cannot be included in a movie,the sheer volume of substance use on display was starkly contrasted with other Brat Pack filmslikeThe Breakfast Club. Viewers expecting to find some family-friendly entertainment inSt. Elmo’s Fireshould prepare to have their expectations confounded.
7The Sanctification Of Wendy’s Virginity
Upon rewatchingSt. Elmo’s Fire, one unnerving aspect was the representation of Wendy Beamish (Mare Winningham) and the way that Billy Hicks (Rob Lowe) seemed to obsess over her virginity. Billy was a bad boy saxophonist, husband, and father to a young child. Yet he still had an uncomfortable fascination with his would-be love interest in maintaining her virginity for him, and he consistently asked if she was still a virgin throughoutSt. Elmo’s Fire.
This strange sanctification of Wendy’s virginityfelt like it played into outdated concepts of purity and ownership of women’s bodies. The harsh reality was that this was not okay behavior from Billy, and the fact that Wendy later lost her virginity to him was presented in a positive light made the entire storyline feel outdated, even for 1985. Wendy’s narrative arc felt like she was just there to be a prize for Billy, and with the power of almost 40 years of hindsight, the whole thing was just off.
6It Has No Consistent Tone
Looking back onSt. Elmo’s Fireall these years later, one of the most striking issues with the film was that it was all over the place. Right from the opening scenes, it was difficult for a viewer to find their footing, as the movie began withBilly nearly killing Wendy due to a drunk driving accident.St. Elmo’s Firethen quickly moved on from this shocking set-up as the group regathered to drink together at their favorite college hangout spot, St. Elmo’s Bar.
At some points,St. Elmo’s Firewas lighthearted and fun, and at other times, it delved into deep melodrama to the point that it was hard to determine exactly what kind of film it wanted to be. AlthoughSt. Elmo’s Firefollowed a group of close-knit college friends, it did not have the same effective energy as other films with the same cast, likeThe Breakfast Club, and the tonal changes felt jarring. While a shift in tone can often be advantageous in a movie when it served a larger purpose, inSt. Elmo’s Fire,these shifts felt haphazard.
5Kevin’s Sexual Orientation
One consistent throughline inSt. Elmo’s Firerelated to Kevin Dolenz’s sexuality, as his friends, especially Jules Van Patten, questioned his true orientation. WhileJules’ accused Kevin of being secretly gayand encouraged him to come out of the closet by dating her neighbor Ron, it was painfully obvious to the audience that he was truly in love with his best friend’s girlfriend, Leslie Hunter. Having held a candle for Leslie for several years, Kevin never dated any woman because he longed to be with Leslie one day.
Although Kevin’s friends were not correct in assuming his sexuality, one harsh reality that’s painfully obvious when rewatchingSt. Elmo’s Firewas that it wasn’t any of their business. There should have been no issue if Kevin actually was gay, and it would have been his right to come out of the closet in his own time when he felt ready. It was unfair for Jules to try to force a relationship on him that he was not ready for.
4Everyone’s A Terrible Person
St. Elmo’s Firefollowed seven best friends trying to navigate life after graduation, but the harsh truth was that almost all of them were insufferable and highly unsympathetic. Straight from the get-go, Billy caused an accident through reckless drunk driving, Alec pressured his girlfriend into unprotected sex, and Kirby was a straight-up stalker. The affable and likable energy ofthe cast fromThe Breakfast Clubwas wholly missing from the characterizations of this group of wayward post-college young adults.
Of course, the characters inSt. Elmo’s Firenot being perfect was the point, as it set up the potential for them to overcome their issues and come out as better people. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and the messaging inSt. Elmo’s Firewas unsatisfactory. While some aspects, like Jules’ drug use, were lightly addressed, by the time the credits rolled, it felt the terrible behavior would continue as Alec was going to keep on cheating, Kirby was still going to stalk women, andJules had not gotten to the root of her issues.
3The Obsession With Marriage
Although Kevin Dolenz asserted that “marriage is a concept invented by people who were lucky to make it to 20 without being eaten by dinosaurs,” that’s not to saySt. Elmo’s Firedid not have an unusual obsession with the concept of being wed. This was seen primarily through the unfaithful yuppie Alec Newberry, who believed that only marriage could stop him from cheating on his girlfriend, Leslie Hunter. Looking back onSt. Elmo’s Fireall these years later, the importance of marriage to these young adults who were barely out of college felt incredibly outdated.
In the decades since the release ofSt. Elmo’s Fire, society has changed drastically, and the security of a life-long career has felt like less of a certainty. This made the idea of getting married and starting a family straight out of college less achievable, andcharacters like Alec felt like relics from a bygone erawhen life’s journey could be planned to a tee. This strange obsession with marriage was also seen through the social worker Wendy, whose wealthy father asserted her need to give up her career once she was married to a rich husband.
2Kirby Was A Total Creep
Despite most characters inSt. Elmo’s Firehaving their fair share of issues, the most bafflingly creepy protagonist was Kirby Keager (Emilio Estevez), whose obsessive behavior bordered on criminal. Kirby was a law student and waiter who showcased an overbearing, unrequited infatuation with Dale Biberman (Andie MacDowell), a medical intern and former fellow student of Kirby’s. Not only does Kirby profess his love for Dale, but he actively stalked her, manipulated her, and lied to her to try and make her fall for him.
Seemingly, Kirby’s behavior was perceived as humorous and innocent infatuation whenSt. Elmo’s Firewas released, but looking back on his actions today, one can see he deserved a restraining order and therapy. ThroughoutSt. Elmo’s Fire,Kirby followed Dale in the rain to a party, creepily, and without consent, smelt her pillow in her home, and, when her roommate would not tell him Dale’s location, Kirdy said he wasn’t responsible for what would happen to her. When all was said and done, the harsh reality was thatKirby gave off deeply troubling vibes.
1It Doesn’t Live Up To The Breakfast Club
St. Elmo’s Fire was not the greatest Brat Pack movie
There’s a reason that whenever people thought of the Brat Pack, the first movie that came to their mind wasThe Breakfast Club. AlthoughSt. Elmo’s Firefeatured just as manynotable Brat Pack members, the harsh truth was that it paled compared to the John Hughes-directed coming-of-age tale from the same year. The music was better, the characters were likable, andthe enduring appeal through generations was far more impactful inThe Breakfast Clubthan inSt. Elmo’s Fire.
Unfortunately,St. Elmo’s Firefelt bogged down by so many issues that it dated the movie and made it feel like a product of its time. Compared to the optimism ofThe Breakfast Club,St. Elmo’s Firewas littered with cynicism and friendships that felt like they were reaching their breaking point rather than just being discovered. So many viewers rankThe Breakfast Clubas the greatest Brat Pack movie because it made them feel good, and the harsh reality was thatSt. Elmo’s Firewas often a downer.
St. Elmo’s Fire
Cast
A group of friends, just out of college, struggle with adulthood.
