I’m kicking off a new (sporadic) series - Better off without the Girl (or Boy) - with a controversial opinion that Duckie was better off without getting the girl in the end .
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Duckie stan and I don’t stan anyone, but Duckie is my guy (spoiler for the awards later, Duckie does a near clean sweep).
That pompadour, the suit blazer sleeves rolled up, overzealous accessories, dirty chucks, and the slacks to round out this rural zoot suit, plus he rode a bicycle! I’m already sold, but with lines like “Yeah, yeah, cardiovascular.” and his rendition of “Try a Little Tenderness”… Duckie is forever sealed in my heart. I mean, does a more well developed character exist outside Duckie and Drexl?
Image of Drexl owned by Warner Brother’s.
I digress.
Pretty in Pink is an absolute classic, following the basic formula of the hero’s journey, hitting all the points needed to make the story stick, and has the baddest villain of all John Hughes movies - Steff. Even the girl he canoodles is a great sidekick villain. Honestly, the most forgettable character is Blane, our major appliance co-star.
There’s nothing wrong with Andrew McCarthy’s performance, it’s the very vanilla character whose spine breaks to Steff’s prodding and dodges Andie’s phone calls, then lies to her.
The scene that follow is tense in the school hallways with Andie waiting to confront Blane and her calling him out for his lies. While I never agreed with some of her choices, I respected Andie for confronting him. Beautiful drama.
Now, why do I say Duckie was better off in the end when we’ve spent decades debating this and yelling that Duckie was robbed, he totally should’ve gotten the girl in the end and where is our alternate ending?
I read the original script. It was an early draft, not quite the masterpiece cult classic we love today, but it had the main points and original ending with Andie choosing Duckie. Having what I wanted for so long… the anticipation and want was better. And frankly, Duckie deserved better than being settled for. Andie is cool, but Andie cast Duckie aside once Richie Rich Blane showed up. Maybe I’m being unfair since I can understand Andie needing to set boundaries with the Duckman, but he was there for her when her esteem faltered and then let her go when he saw she really wanted that mild stuff, Blane.
However, this is also the reason I think Duckie is the true hero of Pretty in Pink because according the hero’s journey, the hero is the person who learns a lesson and changes most. Duckie learned he needed to let go of Andie and was rewarded with a girl who sought him out. He learned, not only to let go, but also what it felt like to be wanted. In fact, Iona makes a huge change in the end, too, as she accepts her age and this new man who treats her with respect.
Best dressed, best style, best overall performance of every kind goes to Duckie for everything.
Runner up for best dressed goes to Iona for her ‘grown up’ ultra 80s shoulder pads blazer. She also takes home the award for best action with a staple gun.
Best line goes to Jena for “I hope they shrivel up.”
Best dressed villain goes to Steff because I can’t deny how much Spader nailed the part and his wardrobe just tied it all together.
And finally, best prom attire and personal wardrobe goes to Andie because without her handy work, we wouldn’t have a movie.
Obligatory Harry Dean Stanton.
