A box-office hit that critics loathed: the story of 1985's St. Elmo's Fire
In short: Released in 1985, this coming-of-age drama defined the Brat Pack era. While reviewers dismissed the film as a collection of unlikable characters and vacuous gossip, it became a financial success. Beyond the screen, its title track became a chart-topping anthem, forever linking the movie to a legacy of 1980s excess.
Directed by Joel Schumacher, the film follows a group of recent Georgetown University graduates navigating the transition into adulthood. The production faced immediate hurdles; Georgetown administrators refused to allow filming on campus due to the script's focus on premarital sex, forcing the crew to shoot at the University of Maryland instead. Casting was equally difficult, as studio executives initially labeled the seven-member ensemble as loathsome. Despite these challenges, the film grossed $37.8 million against a $10 million budget, outperforming other Columbia Pictures releases that year.
Critical reception was overwhelmingly negative. Reviewers like David Denby and Janet Maslin criticized the characters as spoiled and smug, with the film often described as a depressing portrait of teen sycophancy. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 44% approval rating, and Rob Lowe even received a Golden Raspberry Award for his performance. Yet, the film remains a cultural touchstone. The term Brat Pack was coined by journalist David Blum specifically in response to the cast's public profile during the film's release, cementing the actors' collective identity in Hollywood history.
The film's music achieved a level of success that eclipsed the movie itself. The title track, a collaboration between David Foster and John Parr, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1985. Parr wrote the lyrics to reflect themes of determination, drawing inspiration from a news segment about athlete Rick Hansen. While the film was once dubbed a 'Little Chill' by executive producer Ned Tanen, its enduring popularity has led to recent discussions regarding a legacy sequel, with original cast members potentially reprising their roles.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: St. Elmo's Fire (film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-st-elmo-s-fire-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
