Page 22 - Karmann Komment Vol42 Issue 2

Karmann Komment Volume 42 | Issue 2 GHIA IN THE MOVIES
Pretty In Pink, 1986 Director: Howard Deutch Staring: Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, James Spader and Andrew McCarthy
If Pretty in Pink were a person, it would be standing in front of a neon jukebox, wearing lace gloves, five plastic bangles on both wrists, and a hat that serves no practical purpose. This film is peak ‘80s – drenched
in Madonna-inspired fashion, backed by an unforgettable soundtrack featuring OMD, The Smiths, and New Order, plus a shameless, but great, Prince rip-off by Jesse Johnson (Get to Know Ya). And, of course, there’s The Psychedelic Furs with their iconic title song.
Molly Ringwald plays Andie, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Her best friend Ducky ( Jon Cryer) is obsessed with her in a way that’s endearing for about 30 seconds before it becomes the cinematic equivalent of nails on a blackboard. But Andie’s heart is set on Blaine (Andrew McCarthy), a cute BMW driving rich kid with a name that, as Ducky points out, sounds like a domestic appliance.
Enter James Spader as Steff (red 911, obviously), the sneering and creepy trust-fund villain with golden, lustrously feathered hair (which should have really got its own cast credit). Steff spends the entire film smugly wearing linen jackets, chain-smoking and dripping with thinly veiled homoerotic tension toward Blaine. Next to the Ghia, Steff steals this multi-love-triangle rom-com: Blane loves Andie, Ducky loves Andie, Andie loves Blane, Andie despises Steff, Steff tries to sabotage Andie and Blane, Steff lusts after Andie and Blane (but mainly himself).
But let’s talk about the real star of the movie:
a battered Karmann Ghia Lowlight. This car is not just a mode of transport; it’s a statement. It’s quirky, stylish, leftfield, and slightly impractical – just like Andie, oh, and of course it’s pink –
Andie probably grabbed a pink rattle-can one afternoon, and in a fit of kooky impetuosity, painted it herself. Perhaps only a serial cine– Ghia obsessive would notice, but there’s a tradition of using the Karmann Ghia as character shorthand for ‘offbeat and cool,’ which is probably why this 1958 Coupe was cast in the role of ‘Andie’s automotive soulmate.’
Ultimately, Pretty in Pink is a fun, frustrating, irritating and a very pink time capsule of
‘80s teenage dreams. If you lived through
the decade, it’s a nostalgic trip down an exaggerated California memory lane. If you didn’t, consider it a cultural artifact with a killer soundtrack and a super-cool Ghia.
Richard Newey, KK film correspondent, owner of a 1968 RHD silver coupe.
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