Some Kind of Wonderful Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Some Kind of Wonderful Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 26, 2021

While it probably wasn’t intended to be this way, 1987’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” represents the end of writer/producer John Hughes’s streak of teen-centric entertainment. He scored a hit with 1986’s “Pretty in Pink,” joined by director Howard Deutch, but he was allegedly unhappy with the conclusion of the movie, which was reworked to satisfy audience demand, not Hughes’s original vision. With “Some Kind of Wonderful,” a second pass at adolescent ache is made, this time with a gender switch involving the leading actors and a clearer view when it comes to the needs of the heart. What Hughes and Deutch offer for their second go-around is another extraordinarily charming and sincere examination of insecurity and powerlessness, with casting achievements doing something special with Hughes’s lived-in material, creating a superb companion piece to “Pretty in Pink,” though it retains a distinct personality of its own.

Keith (Eric Stoltz) is an 18-year-old artist trying to make his way through high school. He has a father in Cliff (John Ashton), who wants his kid to focus on college, getting him away from blue collar work; he has a friend in Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson), a tomboy who’s been by his side his whole life; and he has a fixation on Amanda (Lea Thompson), a neighborhood girl who’s involved with Hardy (Craig Sheffer), a rich, handsome hallway king. Working up the nerve to ask Amanda out on a date, Keith gets his chance when his object of desire breaks up with Hardy and his womanizing ways, using a request for company as revenge. While Keith gears up for the night of his life, Watts, who secretly adores him, tries to persuade him to back out of the date, fearing Amanda’s heart isn’t true, but the young man remains focused on the event, hunting for his own independence.

Hughes isn’t exactly subtle with “Some Kind of Wonderful,” introducing Keith as a boy literally from the wrong side of the tracks, living in an industrial area not far from Amanda. They’re working-class kids trying to survive in a high school filled with privileged students, with the writing reviving the economic disparity atmosphere from “Pretty in Pink,” giving the drama some bold lettering while it settles into character business. Hughes isn’t dismissive of Keith and his experience, depicting the teen as a perceptive artist with social integration issues, dealing with a father who’s desperately trying to guide him to a better life via college (it’s noble parental protection without adolescent awareness that’s played with outstanding nuance by Ashton). Keith works at a gas station and pals around with Watts, another big-hearted misfit with traditionally masculine interests surrounded by a class of glammed, catty girls who easily capture attention. There’s nothing wrong with Keith and Watts, with Hughes returning to his strengths, writing about teenagers dealing with unspoken desires and habitual hesitation, trying to find their footing during a time of turbulent emotional and physical change. He loves these nervous, gentle people, and it shows through “Some Kind of Wonderful.”

Deutch sets the scene with care, creating defined villainy in Hardy, the big man on campus who’s skilled at dismissing anyone he deems unfit to remain in his view. While Sheffer goes big in the part, Hardy’s calculated malice fits the tone of “Some Kind of Wonderful,” giving the audience someone to jeer as Keith recognizes the cunning power of his rival for Amanda’s attention. Story remains similar to “Pretty in Pink,” but Deutch finds ways to make the new feature less of a lazy reheat, delving into Keith’s struggle to define himself when others would like to do the work for him, using the date as a way to express himself in ways that belong to him. Watts isn’t a sidekick, but a relatable soul who can’t express her true feelings for her friend, watching from the sidelines as he works to give his heart to another girl (a mid-move scene where Watts “teaches” Keith how to kiss is executed perfectly). And Amanda has something to do in the script, dealing with the loss of her access to popularity and financial freedom after she finally dumps Hardy, gradually understanding the power she’s handed others. Hughes is right there to detail matters of the heart and mind, but it helps to have three impressive performances from Stoltz, Masterson, and Thompson, who give the love triangle a different rhythm, tending to character details as they communicate in a very natural way, with significant chemistry patching over a few melodramatic holes in the script.

Some Kind of Wonderful Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Some Kind of Wonderful" doesn't offer a fresh scan of the feature. However, while a crisp viewing experience isn't provided, the movie retains a modest degree of its cinematic appearance, with passably resolved grain that's heavier. Modest detail emerges through general softness, picking up on facial surfaces and costuming. Interiors are open for study, and outdoor dimension is adequate. Colors deal well with period fashion choices, which favor bright primaries. Art selections are also natural, along with skintones. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good condition.

Some Kind of Wonderful Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 Dolby TrueHD mix captures the essential dramatic movement of "Some Kind of Wonderful," leading with defined dialogue exchanges, which retain emotive and argumentative qualities without leading into distortion. Soundtrack selections provide a bit more sonic emphasis, with a fuller frontal position and distinct instrumentation. Scoring cues are equally appealing. Surrounds aren't overly active, with some mild atmospherics and music offering immersion, and low-end remains unchallenged.

Some Kind of Wonderful Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Howard Deutch and actress Lea Thompson.

• "Back to Wonderful" (6:46, HD) is a 2021 interview with Howard Deutch, who details his initial involvement in "Some Kind of Wonderful," reteaming with writer/producer John Hughes after their success with "Pretty in Pink." Unable to figure out casting, the director accepted advice from Brian De Palma to leave the production, angering Hughes. However, when work with a different helmer (Martha Coolidge) wasn't panning out, Deutch was brought back. The interviewee shares brief thought on his actors, with obvious attention on Lea Thompson, whom he would go on to marry in 1989. Deutch examines the "kiss that kills" scene, and remarks on the cult longevity of the feature.

• "The Making of 'Some Kind of Wonderful'" (7:46, SD) is a 2006 featurette that focuses on the performances in the film, collecting interviews with Howard Deutch and actors Lea Thompson, Eric Stoltz, and Mary Stuart Masterson. Thompson freely admits she took the job to pull herself out of the "Howard the Duck" debacle, responding to the dramatic evolution of the script. Candor is appreciated when discussing Stoltz and his specific way of working, which caused conflict on the set, keeping Deutch on edge when trying to connect to his lead. Some brief thoughts on the picture's message are provided from an older interview with John Hughes.

• "Meet the Cast of 'Some Kind of Wonderful'" (13:27, SD) is an appreciation piece featuring interviews (collected from 1986 and 2006) from Deutch, Hughes, and actors Stoltz, Thompson, Masterson, John Ashton, Maddie Corman, Molly Hagan, and Chynna Phillips. Character and acting choices are examined, along with casting stories, with Corman sharing an absolutely heart-wrenching tale about her hiring.

• Interview (10:50, SD) is a 1986 interview with John Hughes, conducted by Kevin Bacon. Hughes explains his fascination with the economic structure of high school life and his time working with young actors, helping him to tap into intimate feelings. Character relatability in "Some Kind of Wonderful" is examined as well. Hughes closes with his personal history, learning more about his power as a writer, jumping from magazine employment to the movies, eventually gaining control of his scripts via direction.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Some Kind of Wonderful Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's a lot to love about "Some Kind of Wonderful," including Elias Koteas's loose supporting turn as Duncan, a daffy punk Keith befriends in detention. Soundtrack selections are typical gold from Hughes's library, giving scenes support and guidance as they explore all types of pop sounds. And there's the ending, which closes the story in a satisfying way that eludes "Pretty in Pink," with Hughes and Deutch finding proper dramatic and romantic notes to hit as they achieve a heartening resolution. "Some Kind of Wonderful" isn't gritty, with a few fairy tale moments (all quite earned), but it remains attentive to universal feelings concerning crushes and maturity, parenthood and personal responsibility, ultimately achieving just a bit more cohesiveness and liveliness than "Pretty in Pink." It's also a fitting conclusion to Hughes's teen journey, encapsulating his fondness for adolescent concerns formed over three years of work in a subgenre he conquered.