If the name John Hughes doesn't immediately jump out at you, his films definitely will.
You've seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off, you know Pretty In Pink, you've got to have seen Home Alone. Honestly, you can't have had a childhood without seeing that one. Here's five of the best moments from John Hughes.
5. SHE'S HAVING A BABY - The delivery montage
This is one of Hughes' lesser-known films, primarily because it wasn't about teenagers and it didn't have Simple Minds on its soundtrack. Still, it's a really beautiful film about the sheer terror of having a child and how it's not all it's cracked up to be. This scene, in particular, is genuinely heartbreaking. Kevin Bacon is sitting outside while his wife is giving birth to their child. He reminisces about his relationship with Elizabeth McGovern - yes, your one from Downton Abbey - all whilst Kate Bush sings This Woman's Work.
4. PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES - "Four f*cking wheels and a seat!"
We've all been there. We've just never had the chutzpah to do this. John Hughes' script manages to turn the word 'f*ck' into an entire art-form. Amazing.
3. HOME ALONE - All of Harry & Marv's scenes
If Home Alone was about a grown-ass man defending his home against robbers instead of a loveable child, it would have been dark as hell. Think about it. Harry and Marv are beaten and tortured until they eventually submit and retreat. They're set on fire, irons are thrown at them - it's cartoon violence made into a film but it's still funny as hell. Although John Hughes didn't direct Home Alone, we thought it was a worth mention as he wrote the script and was the executive producer.
2. UNCLE BUCK - "What's your record for consecutive questions asked?"
John Hughes had an ear for dialogue, but more importantly, he had an eye for casting. You can't imagine anyone but Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller any more than you can imagine John Candy as Uncle Buck. Indeed, the whole film is centred around his charm, wit and incredible comedic timing. His interplay with Macauly Culkin - whom Hughes would later insist on for Home Alone - was just hilarious.
1. FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF - Danke Schoen / Twist & Shout
As much as we wanted to believe somebody like Ferris Bueller existed, we all know that the film is a total fantasy. Firstly, nobody can mitch off school that easily. Secondly, that Ferrarri wasn't even real. They couldn't get the insurance for a genuine Ferrarri so they had to use a mock-up. This scene is the epitome of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. It's light, it's funny and it's total fantasy. But we still love it. Who didn't want to hang out with Ferris Bueller?
