St. Elmo’s Fire Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of attractive 20-somethings whine about their problems over synthesizers and saxophone solos, proving that being young and privileged is actually, like, *super* hard.

🍿 St. Elmo’s Fire: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Post-College Struggles

The film opens with a group of seven close friends, fresh out of Georgetown University, navigating the challenges of adulthood. They frequently gather at St. Elmo’s Bar, their familiar college hangout, as they grapple with career aspirations, romantic relationships, and the complexities of life beyond the structured environment of academia.

Relationship Dynamics and Conflicts

Each character faces unique personal struggles. Alec grapples with commitment to Leslie while pursuing a political career, Billy struggles with responsibility and infidelity, Jules battles addiction and financial instability, Kirby is obsessed with a past love, and Kevin harbors unrequited feelings for Leslie. These interwoven stories explore themes of love, ambition, and the search for identity.

Jules’ Breakdown and Billy’s Departure

As the film progresses, Jules’s life spirals out of control, culminating in a breakdown where she faces repossession and locks herself in her apartment. Billy, the group’s resident loose cannon, decides to leave for New York City to pursue his musical ambitions, marking a significant shift in the group’s dynamic.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jules (Demi Moore): Jules is a troubled young woman struggling with financial irresponsibility and substance abuse while trying to maintain a facade of success.
• Billy Hicks (Rob Lowe): Billy Hicks is an irresponsible and womanizing musician who struggles with commitment to his family and career.
• Kevin Dolenz (Andrew McCarthy): Kevin is a cynical writer secretly in love with Leslie, observing the group’s drama with detached philosophical musings.
• Kirby Keger (Emilio Estevez): Kirby is a waiter and aspiring lawyer who becomes obsessed with rekindling a past infatuation with a doctor named Dale.
• Alec Newbary (Judd Nelson): Alec is an ambitious political aide who jeopardizes his relationship with Leslie due to his infidelity and changing values.
• Leslie Hunter (Ally Sheedy): Leslie is an independent-minded architect who grapples with commitment and her desire for a career before settling down.
• Wendy Beamish (Mare Winningham): Wendy is a kind-hearted social worker from a wealthy family who is naively in love with the unreliable Billy.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Billy: “Jules, y’know, honey… this isn’t real. You know what it is? It’s St. Elmo’s Fire. Electric flashes of light that appear in dark skies out of nowhere. Sailors would guide entire journeys by it, but the joke was on them… there was no fire. There wasn’t even a St. Elmo. They made it up.” – Billy explains his view that Jules is inventing her problems, comparing it to sailors who hallucinate St. Elmo’s Fire to guide them.
• Kevin: “Love, love is an illusion created by lawyer types like yourself to perpetuate another illusion called marriage to create the reality of divorce and then the illusionary need for divorce lawyers.” – Kevin cynically describes his perception of love to Kirby, highlighting his jaded and pessimistic view on relationships.
• Kirby: “She is the only evidence of God I have seen with the exception of the mysterious force that removes one sock from the dryer every time I do my laundry.” – Kirby expresses his infatuation with Dale, exaggerating his feelings with a humorous comparison.
• Leslie & Wendy: “Men… Can’t live with ’em, can’t shoot ’em.” – Leslie and Wendy share a moment of sardonic humor about the challenges of dealing with men.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $37,803,872
• Worldwide Gross: $37,803,872

💥 St. Elmo’s Fire Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit it, I have a soft spot for this movie! It’s pure 80s cheese, but it captures a certain vibe of figuring life out after college. I remember feeling like I was in their shoes, dealing with relationships and career stuff. Demi Moore’s meltdown scene? Totally over the top, but it felt real at the time. Plus, the soundtrack is legendary. Guilty pleasure? Absolutely.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1980s coming-of-age movies”
  • “Viewers interested in relationship dramas”
  • “Those who enjoy films with ensemble casts and character studies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Alcohol abuse”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• The Washington Post: “While the cast is undeniably charismatic, the film relies too heavily on melodrama, preventing any genuine connection with the characters. It’s a stylish, albeit superficial, look at post-college angst.
• Variety: “St. Elmo’s Fire suffers from a weak script and shallow character development. The film struggles to deliver any meaningful commentary, relying on clichés and predictable plotlines.
• Chicago Tribune: “Joel Schumacher’s ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ is a contrived and self-indulgent portrayal of post-graduation life. Despite the appealing cast, the film offers little substance and relies heavily on stereotypical situations.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between the Brat Pack actors is undeniable and makes the film enjoyable despite its flaws.: The nostalgia factor is strong, bringing viewers back to the 80s with its fashion and music.

The film explores universal themes of friendship, love, and identity that resonate with many young adults.: Many viewers appreciate the film’s honest portrayal of the challenges faced by recent college graduates.

Overall Consensus: A quintessential 80s coming-of-age drama, with a strong ensemble cast and memorable soundtrack, though critics find it melodramatic and superficial.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The street with the St. Elmo bar is located on the Universal Studios backlot; a couple of buildings to the left is the Hill Valley Clock Tower from ‘Back to the Future’.”
• “The film was shot primarily on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park, not Georgetown University, despite the characters being Georgetown graduates.”
• “Joel Schumacher received criticism for the film’s perceived elitist tone, with some critics arguing that the movie mistook “content for intent” regarding the characters’ attitudes.”

🖥️ How to Watch St. Elmo’s Fire?

As of today, you can rent or purchase ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed St. Elmo’s Fire, you might like these similar films:

• The Big Chill (1983): Explores the lives and relationships of college friends reuniting years later, dealing with adult issues and reflecting on their shared past.
• Reality Bites (1994): Captures the anxieties and uncertainties of young adults navigating life after college in the 90s, with a focus on career, love, and identity.
• Singles (1992): Another ensemble cast dealing with love and life during the grunge era.
• Friends with Money (2006): Explores the complexities of friendship among a group of women as they navigate different financial realities and life choices.
• Less Than Zero (1987): A dark look at wealthy, disconnected young adults struggling with addiction and alienation in 1980s Los Angeles, appealing to those interested in the darker side of the era.

🛒 St. Elmo’s Fire Related Products

• St. Elmo’s Fire [Blu-ray]: Own the ultimate 80s coming-of-age story on Blu-ray, with enhanced picture and sound quality.
• St. Elmo’s Fire: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Relive the iconic sounds of the 80s with the complete soundtrack, featuring hits like ‘Man in Motion’ and the ‘Love Theme’.
• Rob Lowe Autographed St. Elmo’s Fire 8×10 Photo: A rare autographed photo of Rob Lowe as Billy Hicks, a must-have for any Brat Pack collector.
• St. Elmo’s Fire Movie Poster: Celebrate the iconic 80s with a high-quality reproduction of the original St. Elmo’s Fire movie poster.

🎧 Soundtrack

St. Elmo’s Fire features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” – performed by John Parr
• “Love Theme from St. Elmo’s Fire” – performed by David Foster
• “If I Turn You Away” – performed by Vikki Moss

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Rob Lowe & Ralph Macchio Play ’80s Movie Trivia | Unstable | Netflix

Ever wonder how well Rob Lowe and Ralph Macchio remember the 80s? Check out this hilarious trivia game where they test each other on iconic movies like St. Elmo’s Fire – it’s a fun trip down memory lane!

The Midnight – Memories | 80’s Teenage Love

Want a dose of 80s nostalgia? This music video features scenes from St. Elmo’s Fire and other classic teen movies from the era. The music is great and the montage will give you all the feels!

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