You’ve seen them in your favorite ’80s classics, but you’ve never seen them like this. In Andrew McCarthy’s new documentary Brats, the actor takes an intimate look at the lives and legacies of the infamous Brat Pack. Premiering on Hulu this week, Brats pulls back the curtain on McCarthy and his castmates like you’ve never seen before. Through candid interviews and never-before-seen footage, McCarthy explores how a simple magazine profile would come to define their lives and careers. Love ’em or hate ’em, the Brat Pack left an indelible mark on pop culture. So grab some popcorn and take a nostalgic journey back to the ’80s with Brats on Hulu. You may think you know Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, and the rest of the crew, but this doc will give you a whole new perspective on the lives behind the labels.
A Nostalgic Look Back at the Brat Pack Era
Those of us who grew up in the 80s have fond memories of the Brat Pack movies that defined the era. Films like The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Pretty in Pink captured the angst, humor, and heartbreak of being a teen. At the center of these classics were young stars like Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy – the unofficial members of the ‘Brat Pack.’
The Origin of the Brat Pack Label
The term ‘Brat Pack’ was coined in a 1985 New York magazine article profiling these young actors who frequently collaborated and represented the new generation of hot Hollywood talent. While the label was initially worn as a badge of honor, the actors soon resented being lumped together and pigeonholed.
The Breakfast Club: A Defining Brat Pack Film
No movie epitomizes the Brat Pack era more than The Breakfast Club. Written and directed by John Hughes, it featured Hall, Estevez, Sheedy, Ringwald, and Judd Nelson as high school students from different cliques who bond during a Saturday detention. Full of the snappy, angsty dialogue and rebellious spirit of youth, The Breakfast Club struck a chord and became a touchpoint for Gen X.
Where Are They Now?
Decades later, the Brat Pack actors have gone their separate ways but remain nostalgic icons of the 80s. Some like Rob Lowe and Molly Ringwald have maintained steady careers, while others like Andrew McCarthy and Demi Moore saw more ups and downs. Though they may have resented the label at the time, the Brat Pack’s films have endured as classics that continue to resonate with new generations. Their time in the spotlight, however fleeting, captured the mood of an era and the trials of teen life.
Andrew McCarthy’s Motivations for Making Brats
When Andrew McCarthy agreed to participate in a documentary reflecting on the Brat Pack era, he had no idea how much he needed to get off his chest. As the only core member to participate in Brats, McCarthy is surprisingly candid about his complicated relationship with the label that has followed him for decades.
In his late teens and early 20s, McCarthy resented being lumped in with his St. Elmo’s Fire co-stars. He felt the Brat Pack designation implied he and people like Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe and Judd Nelson lacked talent or skill. At the time, McCarthy wanted to be known for his work, not his friend group.
As he entered his 30s though, McCarthy’s perspective started to shift. He began to see the Brat Pack era as a kind of “blessing” that gave him opportunities other young actors only dream of. Still, the label continued to grate. In Brats, McCarthy admits he’s always “hated” being part of the Brat Pack, even if he’s come to appreciate the doors it opened.
Part of McCarthy’s motivation in making Brats seems to be an attempt to reclaim his narrative. By reflecting on his youth from a place of hard-won wisdom and maturity, McCarthy is able to view that time with more nuance and empathy. He acknowledges both the upsides and downsides of becoming famous so young, recognizing how ill-equipped he and his co-stars were to handle such intense public scrutiny.
While Brats may not change the public’s perception of the Brat Pack, for McCarthy the experience of making the film appears to have been personally cathartic. By directly addressing long-held frustrations and sharing a more well-rounded perspective on his early career, McCarthy takes ownership of this period in his life and invites audiences to see the Brat Pack era – and his role in it – in a new light.
Critical Reception: What Reviewers Are Saying About Brats
The reviews are rolling in and critics seem pleasantly surprised by Andrew McCarthy’s brutally honest take on the Brat Pack era. Glowing Praise Many reviewers applaud McCarthy for confronting the complicated relationship between celebrity and journalism in the 80s. The Guardian calls it a “sharp and poignant excavation of a cultural moment.” IndieWire says McCarthy’s “willingness to interrogate his own role in the media machinery that built and tore down the Brat Pack phenomenon gives the movie an uncommon depth and poignancy.”
Addressing the Elephant in the Room
McCarthy doesn’t shy away from the fact that key Brat Packers like Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson declined to participate. Their absence is “conspicuous,” notes The Hollywood Reporter, but McCarthy’s “clear-eyed perspective” still makes for a “compelling” film. Some see their non-involvement as a missed opportunity, but others argue it allows McCarthy to control the narrative. As Vulture puts it, “their absence speaks volumes and allows McCarthy’s vision to take center stage.”
A Cautionary Tale
Many point out that Brats serves as a cautionary tale for today’s celebrities in the age of social media. “McCarthy’s experience stands as a sobering reminder of how easily public opinion can turn against you,” writes Yahoo Entertainment. The film suggests “the churn of fame in the 1980s closely mirrors today’s social media-fueled celebrity culture,” notes The Associated Press.
A Personal Triumph
Above all, critics hail Brats as a bold and bracingly candid triumph for McCarthy. “It’s a raw, fearless work,” raves TVLine, “and all the more powerful because McCarthy directed and stars, reckoning with his own complicated feelings about that time in his life.” Decades later, McCarthy has finally reclaimed the narrative and given the Brat Pack story the ending it deserves.
Notable Absences: Ringwald and Nelson Skip the Doc
For a documentary focused on the Brat Pack, two major players were conspicuously absent: Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson. McCarthy addressed their lack of participation in several interviews, admitting their absence was disappointing but understandable.
Ringwald Declined to Participate
McCarthy reached out to Ringwald, his co-star in Pretty in Pink, but she declined to be interviewed for Brats. In a candid moment, McCarthy admits her absence stung the most. As the only female member of the Brat Pack and lead in three John Hughes films, Ringwald’s perspective would have been invaluable. However, as McCarthy notes, “Molly has a complicated relationship with that time…I think it brings up a lot of memories for her, not all of which are positive.”
Nelson Proved Elusive
McCarthy also hoped to speak with Judd Nelson, who co-starred with him in St. Elmo’s Fire. However, Nelson proved difficult to pin down. McCarthy says, “Judd is Judd…he’s not the most accessible person. I reached out to him. His manager said he was interested and then time passed and it didn’t happen.” While Nelson’s rebel persona defined the era, his current whereabouts remain mysterious.
A Mixed Blessing
For Ringwald and Nelson, the Brat Pack label has been a mixed blessing they seem anxious to escape. As McCarthy observes, “I think there are many actors of my generation who ran from that label as fast as they could…They felt diminished by it.” In contrast, McCarthy has come to appreciate how the era shaped him, embracing the documentary as a chance for reflection and re-evaluation.
While Ringwald and Nelson’s absence is unfortunate, McCarthy crafts a compelling portrait of the Brat Pack’s rise and fall without them. Their experiences would undoubtedly enrich the narrative, but the documentary remains a poignant glimpse into the lives of young actors thrust into the spotlight, for better and for worse. McCarthy emerges with a hard-won wisdom and grace that does justice to this iconic time.
When and Where You Can Watch Brats
Andrew McCarthy’s documentary “Brats” will premiere on Hulu on June 13, 2022. The film provides an inside look at the origins of the “Brat Pack” label given to a group of young actors who frequently starred together in coming-of-age films in the 1980s, including McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, and Judd Nelson.
Hulu Release
Hulu acquired the rights to “Brats” and will stream it exclusively for viewers in the U.S. You’ll need a Hulu subscription to access the film, which starts at $6.99 per month. Hulu offers a free one-month trial for new subscribers if you want to sign up just to watch “Brats.” The documentary will join Hulu’s library of thousands of TV shows and movies, so there’s plenty to enjoy even after you’ve watched “Brats.”
Possible International Release
As of now, there are no announced plans for “Brats” to receive a theatrical release or stream internationally. However, given the enduring popularity of ‘80s pop culture and the nostalgia for the Brat Pack era, it’s possible the film could find distribution in other countries, or potentially even receive a limited theatrical run at indie cinemas. The best way to stay up to date on any new release details for “Brats” is to follow Hulu, Andrew McCarthy, and the social media accounts for the documentary.
What to Expect
In “Brats,” McCarthy reexamines the rise and fall of the Brat Pack, interviewing former members like himself, Estevez and Lowe, as well as journalists who covered them at the time. The film promises an unvarnished look at the complications of instant fame and the media’s role in both building up and tearing down celebrities. For any child of the ‘80s or fan of classic ‘80s films like “The Breakfast Club” and “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Brats” should provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into that era.
Whether you stream it on Hulu or catch it at a later date through another service, “Brats” is sure to give viewers insight into one of the most iconic groups of young actors in modern Hollywood history. Tune in on June 13 for a trip down memory lane with the Brat Pack.
Conclusion
So there you have it – a look back at the so-called ‘Brat Pack’ through the eyes of one of its core members. Andrew McCarthy gives us an intimate peek behind the curtain at these young stars who were just trying to navigate early fame. While the doc challenges the whole Brat Pack label, it does make you nostalgic for that golden era of 1980s teen movies. McCarthy’s candid interviews and personal footage shed new light on the complex relationships between these now mature actors. It’s a fascinating time capsule that any child of the ’80s will want to open. Whether you were a die-hard Brat Pack fan back in the day or just appreciate some good Hollywood history, McCarthy’s ‘Brats’ offers an entertaining insider’s view.