Critics Scoreboard
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Average Critic Score:
57
(12 sources)
57
(12 sources)
-
88
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
The movie made me so happy, and here I am back on the subway with Nerdo, and there's this jerk across the aisle who's like ancient, 30 at least, and he's got the nerve to look right into my see-through Madonna lace outfit. And he winks. Oh, barf- ola. Read Full Review » -
80
Los Angeles Times
Delightful... The film is buoyed by a captivating performance by Ringwald, who has an unerring ability to share her character's emotions with an audience, as if we were eavsdropping behind her makeup mirror. [28 Feb 1986] Read Full Review » -
75
Chicago Sun-Times
Although it is not a great movie, it contains some moments when the audience is likely to think, yes, being 16 was exactly like that. Read Full Review » -
75
San Francisco Chronicle
Very high on my list of good movie titles, has fascinating deep tones, surprising poignancy, and tendor humor for a movie aimed at teenage audiences. [28 Feb 1986] Read Full Review » -
70
The New York Times
Fortunately, the actors are mostly likable, and the story is told gently enough to downplay both its trendiness and its conventionality. Read Full Review » -
70
Variety
A rather intelligent (if not terribly original) look at adolescent insecurities. Read Full Review » -
70
Time
Blane's snooty friend Steff (Spader) could be a tired stereotype, but with his all-year tan, his hip-blase voice and hs view of high school as a "career," Steff becomes a recognizable character of any age: upscale slime in embryo. [3 Mar 1996, p.83] Read Full Review » -
60
TV Guide
While the script contains trite and unbelievable dialogue, the superbly convincing performances make up for these faults. Read Full Review » -
60
Film Threat
I got my first date because of this movie so you won't see me giving it any less than three stars. Read Full Review » -
40
Chicago Reader
Slack and unconvincing throughout with the exception of Ringwald, who remains natural and appealing as the thin world of the film collapses around her. Read Full Review » -
38
Chicago Tribune
What we have here is a much less radical movie than writer Hughes probably believes he has created. Yes, he's given us an individualistic girl, but she swoons like a robot after the first reasonably human WASP or WASC asks her for a date. [2 Feb 1986] Read Full Review » -
30
The New Yorker
The movie is slight and vapid, with the consistency of watery jello...It isn't about teenagers – it's actually closer to being a pre-teen's idea of what it will be like to be a teenager. [7 Apr 1996, p.91] Read Full Review »
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