St. Elmo's Fire (1985)

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writers:

Joel Schumacher (written by) &
Carl Kurlander (written by)

Release Date:

28 June 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The passion burns deep.

Plot:

A Group of friends, just out of college, struggle with adulthood. Their main problem is that they're all self-centered and obnoxious. |

Plot Keywords:

College | Virgin | Extramarital Affair | Coming Of Age | Infidelity

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Emilio Estevez	...	Kirby Keger
Rob Lowe	...	Billy Hicks
Andrew McCarthy	...	Kevin Dolenz
Demi Moore	...	Jules
Judd Nelson	...	Alec Newbary
Ally Sheedy	...	Leslie Hunter
Mare Winningham	...	Wendy Beamish
Martin Balsam	...	Mr. Beamish
Andie MacDowell	...	Dale Biberman
Joyce Van Patten	...	Mrs. Beamish
Jenny Wright	...	Felicia
Blake Clark	...	Wally
Jon Cutler	...	Howie Krantz
Matthew Laurance	...	Ron Dellasandro
Gina Hecht	...	Judith

Runtime:

110 min | Canada:108 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:R (Ontario) | Australia:M | Iceland:L | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Norway:16 | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #27681) | West Germany:12 | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Georgetown, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

St. Elmo's Bar is based on The Tombs, a popular watering hole with Georgetown University students. For exterior shots, a full street set built at Universal Studios in L.A was used.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Dale looks at the photograph taken of her and Kirby, the perspective of the photograph looks as if it was taken by the movie camera (from the profile) rather than from her boyfriend who took the photo, which would be from the front.

Quotes:

Kevin: You know Jules, there is the brink of insanity and then there is the abyss, which obviously you have fallen into!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Zombie Nightmare (#7.4)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

YOUNG AND INNOCENT

The Ultimate Brat Pack Of The 80s

'St. Elmo's Fire' looks at life after college of seven best friends. Even though I didn't go to college in the 80s, the movie brought a lot of memories and I can still relate to many of the conflicts the characters experience. I don't understand why so many people disliked it. It's very much a character driven piece and while many argue that the they are self-absorbed but who isn't at least a little self-absorbed at that age? These characters are trying to find themselves in the 'new' real world of grown-ups. All seven friends are of distinct personalities and even though they are a little clichéd, they remain real and are well played. The friends include:

-Kirby (Emilio Estevez) who is so desperately 'in love' with a past love that he even changes himself to win her heart.

-Billy (Rob Lowe) who is talented, unstable and unpredictable -Kevin (Andrew McCarty) who is following a love that is with someone else.

-Jules (Demi Moore) who is the self-destructive flirtatious one striving to protect her outer image while she destroys herself internally.

-Alec (Judd Nelson) who is climbing the ladders of success and screwing 'nameless' and 'faceless' chicks while still desperate to marry his girlfriend to make his life perfect.

-Leslie (Ally Sheedy) is the girlfriend who wants to have a career of her own before settling down for marriage bliss.

-Wendy (Mare Winningham) who is the most selfless one, a frustrated virgin who is striving for independence and love.

The actors are brilliantly cast as they fit the parts physically (the right age and looks) and deliver sincere performances. I won't single anyone out as I thought they all did excellent. The supporting cast does not have much scope except for Andie McDowell (who is quite bad).

The 80s were known to be a wild and reckless decade for the young ones where it was all about rock and roll, big hair and felt-tips. Foster's soundtrack wonderfully adds to that nostalgic feel of that decade.

Through their lives, Schumacher presents different themes such as drugs, alcohol, sex, loyalty, etc. It sounds like just another one of 'those' movies but here it is dealt with in a very real and easily relatable way rather than being overdone. Everyone will recognize at least a couple of the conflicts the characters face. I loved the way it ended. There is no definitive conclusion. Instead, what is shown is that the characters are aware that now it is time to grow up and to build their own lives while an uncertain future awaits. It's a great movie.