Molly Ringwald Reflects on Complex Relationship with Director John Hughes
Molly RingwaldMolly Ringwald, the iconic star from the 1980s, has opened up about her complex feelings regarding her role as a muse for the late director John Hughes. Speaking on Monica Lewinsky's "Reclaiming" podcast, Ringwald delves into her experiences during a pivotal time in her career when she starred in Hughes' classics such as "Sixteen Candles", "The Breakfast Club", and "Pretty in Pink".
Ringwald, who celebrated her 57th birthday, shares a birthday with Hughes, who was 33 years old when he wrote "Sixteen Candles" inspired by Ringwald's mere headshot hanging above his desk. "It's peculiar", Ringwald admits, describing her feelings about being a muse for the older filmmaker. While she acknowledges the realization didn't occur to her at the time, as a teenager, she finds the situation complex when viewed through her adult perspective.
Despite having more acting experience than Hughes at the time, Ringwald was only 15 years old when she first worked with him. "I had done more movies", she reflects, "but I was still only 15 years old, so I didn’t have a lot of life experience". This role as a muse felt flattering yet peculiar, and Ringwald has spent years processing its impact on her life.
In recent years, Ringwald has critically reexamined the films she made with Hughes, recognizing the problematic elements present in the context of modern society. Films like "Sixteen Candles" have been criticized for their racial insensitivity and the portrayal of troubling themes regarding consent. "There are certain things that I find troubling", she admitted, acknowledging that she continues to grapple with these aspects.
Despite these criticisms, Ringwald maintains a deep respect for Hughes and the belief he had in her talents. "John believed in me, and in my gifts as an actress, more than anyone else I’ve known", she has stated previously. The films they created together, she believes, still hold a significant place in her past and in cinematic history, even as she continues to process her complicated feelings towards those years.
Reflecting on her years as a teen superstar, Ringwald notes the overwhelming nature of fame and the protective barriers she developed as a result. "I’ve never known a world where I haven’t been a little famous", she reveals, recounting her journey from community theater to the heights of Hollywood fame.
As she looks back, Ringwald expresses pride in her work, sharing her hope that discussing these complexities will pave the way for more meaningful storytelling in the future.
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