Andrew McCarthy has recently addressed the notable absence of Molly Ringwald from his new documentary, “Brats,” which premiered on Hulu. The film delves into the lives and experiences of the iconic ’80s group known as the Brat Pack, a label that has long been associated with stars like Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, Jon Cryer, and McCarthy himself.
In an interview with Us Weekly, McCarthy revealed that he had reached out to Ringwald about participating in the documentary. “She said she’d think about it and that was really the end of it,” he explained. Despite her absence, Ringwald’s presence is felt through archival footage and past interviews included in the film.
“Brats” explores the highs and lows of the Brat Pack era, featuring candid conversations with several of its members. Estevez, Moore, Sheedy, and Rob Lowe all make appearances, sharing their memories and reflections on the impact of the Brat Pack label. However, Ringwald and Judd Nelson are conspicuously missing from these new interviews.
McCarthy expressed his disappointment at not being able to include Ringwald in the documentary. “She’s so articulate and insightful about these things,” he said. “It would’ve been great to speak with her.” He acknowledged that people are at different stages in their lives and may have varying levels of interest in revisiting their past.
The documentary also highlights the challenges McCarthy faced in reconnecting with his former co-stars. “Judd is at some undisclosed location and not available, and Rob is suddenly in Orlando,” he noted. McCarthy’s wife had suggested that making the film would be “good for his humility,” a sentiment he now understands.
In a previous interview with Variety, Ringwald had discussed her feelings about the Brat Pack label, describing it as limiting. “Not everyone was able to write for teenagers as successfully as [John Hughes] did,” she said, referring to the director of several Brat Pack films. She felt that the label was a way to dismiss the actors when they sought more mature roles.
Despite her absence from “Brats,” Ringwald has continued to have a successful career, with roles in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” the Netflix “Kissing Booth” franchise, “Riverdale,” and recent projects like “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” and “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.”
McCarthy also shared that he had hoped to interview many more people for the documentary but was constrained by time and budget. “I wanted to talk to 50 more people about their experiences in the Brat Pack,” he said.
The film features new interviews with several Brat Pack members and other ’80s actors, including Jon Cryer, Lea Thompson, and Timothy Hutton. However, the absence of Ringwald and Nelson is keenly felt. McCarthy explained that while they are not present for new interviews, they do appear through archival footage and past interviews.
In the documentary, McCarthy recounts how Ringwald played a pivotal role in his casting for “Pretty in Pink.” “Molly got me that part,” he said. “I auditioned, and Molly said, ‘Oh, that’s who I would fall for. He’s dreamy. He’s poetic.’ And so John Hughes went, ‘Really? That wimp?'”
The Brat Pack label, coined by writer David Blum in a mid-1980s article for New York Magazine, has had a lasting impact on the actors associated with it. The name was reminiscent of the “Rat Pack,” a group of showbiz legends including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
“Brats” offers a nostalgic look back at the Brat Pack era, exploring how the label affected the actors both personally and professionally. McCarthy’s documentary is a heartfelt attempt to reconnect with his past and understand the legacy of the Brat Pack.
As the film streams on Hulu, it provides a window into a bygone era, capturing the essence of the ’80s and the enduring impact of the Brat Pack. While Ringwald’s absence is notable, her influence and contributions to the era are undeniable, and her legacy continues to resonate with fans and fellow actors alike.
