80's Movie

The movies we watched in class were Platoon, Ferris Buellers Day Off and Breakfast Club. 

The Break fast Club represented five stereotypical teenagers in detention, who argue/bond with one and other along with their advisor. The movie interestingly portrayed the the 1980's, especially the Cold War and consumerism. In the movie, one of the girls exhibits the booming consumerism of the decade, with a fancy car and clothing. The ending of the movie provides commentary on the decade as well. Due to the rising rhetoric of Reagan, many feared the Soviets even more, which the movie commented on when they portrayed the Jock dating the weird nerdy girl. Just like the how the jock perceived the Girl as an odd and extreme person, many viewed the Soviets in a similar light. By having the two opposites attract, the movie provides Americans the belief that friendship with the Soviets is possible. 

Ferris Bueller fell in to a similar genre with a focus on three teenagers and their fight against authority. The movie, like the Breakfast club, continued to reflect the role of consumerism in the decade. Within the movie, a friend of Bueller has a garage which has an array of classic cars. Also the movie includes a scene of depicting high class life in America. 

The final movie, Platoon, portrays men in the Vietnam war, and the real toll it took on people. The movie demonstrated the willingness to admit the wrongs made during the Vietnam War. By portraying the grueling scenes of destruction, Platoon placed blame on everyone and no one. It made people hate the soldiers for their atrocities yet sympathize with them for the hell they lived with everyday. The movie represented a transition to a period of healing and acceptance for many americans. 

    I enjoyed the movies of the 1980's, especially Platoon since it gave an interesting and more realistic portrayal of Vietnam war.