Looking back in the films of John Hughes, he frequently inserted romantic subplots that may either add to the film’s charm or detract from any achievement that the film is getting. Indeed, they are essential to bring life to the already beloved characters, make them resonate today, and inspire a lot of couple goals.
Hughes indeed created romantic couples that one would either love or dislike. For that, here are the top five best couples from John Hughes movies (on which he may have directed, written, or produced) and the five worst ones to be cautious of.
Worst: Ferris And Sloane In Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
While this is a coupling that is far from the worst or the dullest couple from Hughes’ works, the coupling of Ferris and Sloane is nothing remarkable, as seen from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. There is not much focus on the two as committed boyfriend/girlfriend as it is more focused on their antics (along with Cameron) on skipping school for a day in Chicago.
The two are not terrible individuals; it is just that there could be more material from Ferris and Sloane. Yet, there are hints of attraction between Cameron and Sloane that made this couple to the list.
Best: Jake And Kristy In She’s Having A Baby
She’s Having a Baby placed John Hughes in new territory of storytelling as he now focused on two aspiring parents, Jake and Kristy, contending with their personal demons before they fully commit to raising their own child. Because of that, it earns the spot.
The performances of Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern as Jake and Kristy, respectively, made the characters resonate with the humanity in their decisions and upbringing. While the story is partially not effective in delivering this, as most of the focus is on Jake, there are hints of significance that made their romance turn to lifelong commitment.
Worst: Cousin Eddie And Catherine In National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
There are annoying characters, and then there is Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid). He is completely unpredictable as the breakout figure of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, wherein Clark Griswold had to compose himself after a series of disasters for Christmas season. Among them is Cousin Eddie, whose outlandish behavior nearly drives Clark and the Griswolds insane.
Yet, his relationship with his wife Catherine is far from the worst, which makes it impossible to comprehend how Cousin Eddie would end up the way he is. Their relationship is adorable, but Catherine miscarries handling Eddie’s behavior. Blame him for their position on the list.
Best: Kate And Peter McCallister In Home Alone
The McCallisters are notoriously defined as one of cinema’s worst families for the lack of compassion and respect for Kevin, as they kept leaving him unattended (twice). Even with that bad track record, both Kate and Peter remained relatable parental figures throughout the films, with Kate’s unwavering determination to get to Kevin and Peter’s firm leadership on the clan.
And their relationship to each other felt down-to-earth, as parents would. They go through obstacles without each other having to contend on their biases or their petty complaints. And this is apparent on the McCallisters’ lifestyle. (Just forget the fourth movie existed!)
Worst: Jeanie And The Dude In Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
One of the subplots of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is Jeanie being a snitch on Ferris’ exploits of truancy. She attempted to catch her brother in the act, but instead found Rooney snooping in their house and phoned the police, only for the principal to run away. She ended up in the precinct for filing a false report. There, she stumbled upon a delinquent (Charlie Sheen) who told her not to worry.
And as Jeanie found her, she was kissing the delinquent. This is an out-of-nowhere coupling, not only because it is Charlie Sheen but because it is too trite.
Best: Keith And Watts In Some Kind Of Wonderful
Some Kind of Wonderful is a terrific early example of John Hughes utilizing the tropes of true love and friend zones. In the context of the film, Keith (Eric Stoltz) wanted to court the popular Amanda (Lea Thompson), only for his best friend and tomboy Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) to realize her feelings for him.
The lengths it takes for the two to realize their feelings for each other may seem saccharine (and Keith may appear to be self-centered), but it is so heartfelt and serious on selling their budding romance. The film is a mature look on self-actualizing love.
Worst: Ian And Deb & Wyatt And Hilly In Weird Science
Its a bummer that an entire existence of a character (or couplings for this case) would be to motivate the lead characters. In the case of Ian/Deb and Max/Hilly, the pairs’ existence would only serve as bonuses for Gary and Wyatt as the girls would fall for them (or their heroism). And it says a lot when a synthetic woman with magical powers, made from a plastic doll, would end up as the fully fleshed female character of Weird Science.
Thus, not only are both pairs the worst kind of bully/love interest couplings, but they would not work for today’s time.
Best: Bender And Claire In The Breakfast Club
There are two prominent couplings that surfaced in the end of The Breakfast Club. It is a choice of either Andy and Allison, or Bender and Claire. While the former is cute, given that basket case Allison was given a makeup transformation that captivated the screen, the latter is the strongest since it gave time for Bender and Claire to clash and find common ground from their exchanges.
While their ending kiss is trite, it is a needed levity as it is left ambiguous if the two will cross paths again in school. This is rebel-falls-for-pretty-girl at its most affectionate.
Worst: Andie And Duckie In Pretty In Pink
Before discussing the relationship between Andie and Duckie, the character of Duckie himself is a polarizing one. While he is sympathetic as a character who tries to find self-esteem on showing his true colors, he is self-absorbed and self-pitying at times, making it hard to root for him.
And his behavior around Andie showed his vulnerabilities as a good friend to her. His pushiness for Andie to date him goes over the edge, making the audience think that Andie is better off with Blane. Considering this while watching Pretty in Pink is difficult. So please, ignore Duckie.
Best: Sam And Jake In Sixteen Candles
The award for the best couple in a John Hughes movie goes back to his first ever directorial effort. Sixteen Candles is about a girl named Samantha (Molly Ringwald) whose family unintentionally forgot her sixteenth and must succumb to an emotional dance night. In comes Jake (Michael Schoeffling) who suddenly showed interest in Sam and wanted to get to know her.
As the two souls are pining for a better outlook in their lives, their bond feels natural and sympathetic. Their moments together are more romantic, especially in Jake’s present to Sam in the ending. As the epitome of innocent puppy love, Sam and Jake are one of its most pleasant examples. They are so adorable.
