I read the sad news that John Hughes had passed away yesterday. Hughes was the writer and director of some of my all-time favorite movies, such as "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", "The Breakfast Club", and many others.
It's hard to put into words the impact his movies had on me. I think your teen years are an incredibly impressionable time, and his movies had a permanent impact on my life. To a large degree, I feel your life philosophy is shaped during your teens, and I was fortunate enough to have his films during those years.
Movies are serious business when you are young. They give you hope, they show you different paths, and they expose you to larger-than-life characters. Hughes' movies were fantastic because they focused on issues important to teens - issues that might be quickly dismissed by adults.
There is a documentary about John Hughes and his films coming out soon. I have been following the the progress at the film's website. This movie will be even more meaningful with Hughes passing. Even though he hadn't done any film work in many years, I had always hoped that Hughes would come back and make more films.
His passing is another reminder that you only have one shot in life, and that the years go by quickly. I still remember staying up late and watching "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" with a friend in high school. It doesn't seem that long ago, even though that was over 20 years ago. The feelings I had then about the movie are still the same feelings I have today.
Hughes' movies almost always ended on an optimistic note, and that part of his legacy will always be with me. They showed that if you're willing to go your own way and stick it out, life can be wonderful. Thank you John Hughes, for showing the way.
