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Reuniting with producer Lauren Schuler Donner, Joel Schumacher co-wrote and directed this Brat Pack classic which, despite its mixed reception, became a defining work for the young generation of the 80s.
A huge thank you to Evie for joining us. Follow her on Twitter, and check out our old episodes of I Hate/Love Remakes.
This episode discusses St. Elmo's Fire (1985) IMDb. Wikipedia.
Our opening theme is "Letter", and our closing theme is "Veinblossom". Both songs were created by Jak Locke, and are used with permission.
Some bonus extras!
Music video for "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" by John Parr.
Music video for "Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire" by David Foster.
1985 promotional interview with Joel Schumacher.
1985 promotional interview with Rob Lowe.
David Blum's infamous 1985 article "Hollywood's Brat Pack".
Wikipedia page for the novel Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney.
Trailer for the film Bright Lights, Big City.
The personal website of Kort Falkenberg III.
JMJ
ReplyDeleteI just got to "a lava lamp of garbage" and had to pause the podcast (and my laughter) to let you know how much I appreciate what you're doing in the world.
Now I've resumed listening and am adding my own thoughts as I go . . . imagining I were the fourth person in the podcast.
St. Elmo's Fire is an odd one for me. I don't like it at all, but gosh, do I remember it. And I don't mean just remembering how much I hated it while I was watching it, but also remembering it for itself. What a great job Joel Schumacher did with all the garbage he was working with, aye? LOL! But seriously, I dislike disliking St. Elmo's Fire. There's an ineffable quality to it--a kind of below-the-surface beauty--that makes me wish it had more substance and depth. Maybe it was the music?
The last time I watched this, over ten years ago, Kirby was my actually my favorite character! I mean, he was the only one who wasn't cheating or hoping that someone would cheat with him. (What a low bar, I know . . .) But that was before stalking became the serious issue that it now is. I'm sure I'd watch his "romantic" scenes differently now. Even recalling the scene when he is fired for throwing a party at his boss' house makes me cringe a little, although it was funny to me back then. Not because it's such an obviously wrong way to impress a woman, but also because it's evidence of poor character.
Wendy was my second favorite character, because I tend to identify with wallflowers. But I was frustrated by her fixation with Billy. Couldn't she see how disgusting he was? Good point that Wendy doesn't really fit in with the others. And yeah, where was she during Jules's big dramatic scene? Did the director really just forget her??? LOL! I love Noel's suggested edit of having Wendy make the St. Elmo's fire speech.
PS -- When you brought up Man in Motion, I pulled up the music video on YouTube and started playing it as background music to the rest of the podcast. Your thoughts plus this 80s classic made a great combination!
JMJ
ReplyDeleteAnd having listened to Man in Motion five times in a row, I have more to add . . .
I was familiar with the song long before I actually saw the movie, and it definitely gave me the wrong expectations. When you revealed that it was originally written for a man in a wheelchair who was touring the world, suddenly it all made sense. And not just the "All I need is a pair of wheels" lyric! I mean, it's a song about rising above limitations and the expectations of others, to become truly great. Yes, it's very 80s, but it's also very inspiring. So when we compare it to this movie full of losers and one genuinely nice person who doesn't get a chance to grow, well . . .
The last time a movie failed to live up to the first single from its OST, I was watching Dangerous Minds. If I had been born in the 90s and decided to watch it on the strength of Gangsta's Paradise, I'd be even more disappointed.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Enbrethiliel!
ReplyDeleteThere's an ineffable quality to it--a kind of below-the-surface beauty--that makes me wish it had more substance and depth.
That line perfectly sums it up for me. It's not that I dislike what's there (much of which, granted, is very dislikeable), but that there's so much more missing that I felt SHOULD be there. On that note, without spoiling anything, wait until we get to our episode on Cousins, and definitely give that a viewing in prep if you have a chance. There's some interesting comparisons and contrasts to be made between these two, and I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.
With the origins of "Man in Motion" I'm surprised they didn't just retool the song further, changing some more lyrics here and there. I'm sure some would have been peeved had they done so, but if they have permission to do so, it's their right. Leaving it as it is, it's just such an odd fit for this film, especially given how associated the two have become.