St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)

St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)

“This isn’t real. You know what it is? It’s St. Elmo’s Fire.”

Synopsis:
A group of self-centered friends struggle with life and love after college.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Ensemble Cast
  • Friendship
  • Love Triangle
  • Martin Balsam Films

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary is fairly dismissive of this hit Brat Pack film, calling it “trite and klutzy, a beatable combination”. I was equally disappointed when re-watching it recently; the characters are so unappealing that it’s difficult to generate any concern for what happens to them. The one exception is Emilio Estevez as Kirby, the love-lorn medical student whose travails could easily have filled the entire film — instead, however, director Joel Schumacher chooses to shuffle back and forth continuously between far too many inane sub-plots about drug addiction, infidelity, and career crises. A hot 80’s soundtrack (including the winning title song) was what kept me going through this otherwise insufferable mess.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Sensitive performances by Ally Sheedy, Mare Winningham, and Emilio Estevez


  • An undeniably catchy title song

Must See?
No, though it’s worth a look simply for its historical notoriety as the ultimate “brat pack” film.

Links:

2 thoughts on “St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)

  1. Hadn’t seen this til now.

    How can I explain just how much this movie has already enriched my life…?

    I can’t.

    It hasn’t.

    It didn’t.

    At all.

    It sucks.

  2. I did, however, get a giggle out of the homoerotic mural senselessly adorning the full-length of Judd Nelson’s living room wall.

Leave a Reply