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Thursday, 6 August 2009

RIP John Hughes, Director of 'Home Alone' and 'The Breakfast Club'

'Home Alone,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' 'Miracle On 34th Street,' 'The Breakfast Club,' 'Sixteen Candles,' 'Planes, Trains, And Automobiles' - I could name many more. John Hughes, to put it simply, is an iconic legend, whose creations are some of the most loved films of the 80's and 90's. 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' defined the 80's, 'Home Alone' was my favourite film for years after it came out. I still watch it every Christmas. For me, 'Home Alone' and 'Home Alone 2: Lost In New York' are THE quientessential Christmas movies.

He passed away suddenly today at the age of 59 - of a heart attack whilst taking a morning walk.
Variety.com reports that "In the last decade, he stepped back from the legacy he created to enjoy time with his family, maintain a functioning farm in northern Illinois and support independent arts. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy, two sons, John and James, and four grandchildren."

It's great to know that he left us a great legacy of truly brilliant, often heartwarming films-- and didn't feel the need to stick around in Hollywood cashing in everywhere he could. Instead, he made his masterpieces, and then became a family man.

RIP - John Hughes. 59 is way, way, way, way, WAY too young. The only comforting thing when this happens in our industry is to know of the legacy that has been left behind - and in Hughes' case; it's enormous-- and I am sure his work will mean something to everyone who reads this. What could be better than that?
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5 comments:

  1. Boyd6 August 2009 at 18:55

    I believe a montage of his works is in order.

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  2. Alyson7 August 2009 at 05:47

    Since I generally don't pay as much attention to directors as I do to actors...I didn't know he was behind those movies. I like all of them, but I have a soft spot for Sixteen Candles.

    Montage...good idea.

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  3. Florian Borgeat7 August 2009 at 05:51

    to my opinion "Breakfast club" is an exemple for everyone interested in movie making. It only relies on the scenario and the actiing. No need for more when those 2 are well crafted. I've been planning for years to do a movie inspired from it, like the 2010 version of it, the script is ... 3 pages long so far.
    "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" has also embelished our VHS Wednesday afternoons.
    I saw again ast Christmas"Miracle of 34th Street", it is harder than what one might think to make this kind of movie. Having worked with Sir Richard Attenborough just one year before, this one is very special to me.

    Anyway, ... like you wrote there, way too young to die. RIP.

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  4. Vanessa8 August 2009 at 06:18

    Yeah, i read this yesterday in the paper...it is very upsetting. Home alone was one of my first favourite movies as a child! And I still love it!

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  5. Girl Interrupted14 August 2009 at 11:45

    So many great films. Although it's terribly sad that he died so early, it's nice to know that he got to make all the films he had in him and retired a happy man. I can watch them over and over and never get bored, he's my second favourite director (Frank Capra being my absolute favourite).

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