What I learned 3: John Hughes and Nora Ephron

John Hughes and Nora Ephron. Ask me who they were a month ago and I would have hesitantly laughed, questioning my knowledge and how I could not know who these people were. I would then follow with a thought doubting the importance of the two. Now, I would laugh at the questioner, responding, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sleepless in Seattle.”

            Before this class, I never really gave credit to the writers of cinematic masterpieces. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off has been my favorite movie since before I was twelve. I can still vividly remember asking my camp counselor why he was wearing a shirt that said, “Save Ferris.” It was an overnight camp so when I arrived home I pleaded and pleaded until I convinced my parents to let me watch the movie. Although at the time I don’t think I understood the growing up part of the movie, the movie itself was just so brilliant to my young and impressionable self. You have the protagonist Ferris who I saw as just the coolest guy (I mean he sang Twist and Shout during a parade).  The movie is the greatest comedy film of all time, even if the class poll did not prove such.

            The bigger picture, and what I learned, is how talented and incredible John Hughes was. National Lampoons Vacation, Home Alone, the list goes on. So I wonder, how did I not know of John Hughes? I love most of his movies. I know the names of the main actors. And yet, I couldn’t even have told you who he was a month ago.

            The same problem arises with Nora Ephron. Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally. Obviously I am not as interested in these movies as Ferris Bueller’s Day off, but the problem arises that I have no idea who the writer was.

            At first I thought this was more of an individual problem of me simply not caring in general about who actually creates entertainment content vs. who performs the content. However, when it comes to music I am fairly familiar with who writes the music that I listen to.  So I began to wonder if this problem is only applicable to movies. When I read, I know the author. When I play a video game, I actually am familiar, at least in some cases, with the writers. But when I watch, I can really only tell you the network or the actors.

            Before this class I was unaware of the great writing behind some of my favorite movies. Because of this class I have started to wonder who is writing what I am watching. Jon Bokenkamp writes The Blacklist and Michael Bacall, Rodney Rothman wrote 22 Jump Street. This year I have learned to appreciate those who write the films I watch, not just their starring cast. It takes talent to create movies such as The Breakfast Club, Home Alone, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Lampoons National Vacation. After this class I will never forget the names John Hughes and Nora Ephron because this class has opened my eyes the pure brilliance they possess in the English language.