Andrew McCarthy’s Hulu Brat Pack Documentary
For many, the term “Brat Pack” conjures up a wave of nostalgia, bringing to mind iconic 1980s films like “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink.” These movies have become timeless rites of passage for teenagers, even nearly 40 years after their release. However, for the actors who were part of this group, the term carries a more complex and often conflicted meaning.
Andrew McCarthy, a central figure in the Brat Pack, has long grappled with the label. This internal conflict led him to create a documentary titled “Brats,” following his earlier memoir “Brat.” McCarthy, known for his roles in “Pretty in Pink” and “St. Elmo’s Fire,” has transitioned into directing, with credits including episodes of “Orange Is the New Black” and “13 Reasons Why.” In “Brats,” he sits down with fellow Brat Packers like Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Demi Moore, and Rob Lowe to explore what it meant to be part of this infamous group.
The reactions McCarthy receives are varied. Estevez, who was the focal point of the original 1985 New York magazine article that coined the term, agrees with McCarthy that the label was harmful and mean-spirited. Moore offers deep insights, almost as if she were a therapist, while Lowe focuses on the positive aspects, expressing gratitude for being part of a significant moment in Hollywood history. McCarthy hadn’t seen or spoken to most of them in years, highlighting that the perception of them as close off-screen friends was largely a myth.
Visually, the documentary has a somewhat melancholic tone. McCarthy, still looking youthful at 61, is often seen driving a rented convertible or visiting the luxurious homes of his fellow Brat Packers. They discuss the negative impact of the original article, which painted them as unserious and immature. While their complaints are valid, it’s debatable whether the article alone was responsible for the trajectory of their careers.
The term “brat” itself carries a negative connotation, suggesting petulance and immaturity rather than youthful exuberance. As McCarthy points out to Estevez, directors like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg were unlikely to cast someone labeled as part of the Brat Pack. Estevez even turned down a promising screenplay because McCarthy was attached to it, fearing another Brat Pack association.
Not all intended interviewees made it into the documentary. McCarthy couldn’t track down Judd Nelson and failed to convince Molly Ringwald to participate. Anthony Michael Hall, another key Brat Packer, isn’t even mentioned, which is puzzling given the film’s focus on defining the group’s membership.
One surprising interview subject is David Blum, the writer who coined the term “Brat Pack.” Blum doesn’t express much regret, emphasizing that a journalist’s job isn’t to befriend their subjects. While he acknowledges that some parts of his article were unkind, he stands by his work. McCarthy, however, seems to find some closure through this conversation.
The documentary, which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival and will debut on Hulu on June 13, delves into the cultural impact of the Brat Pack films. These movies, such as “St. Elmo’s Fire” and “The Breakfast Club,” tapped into teenage angst and connected with young audiences in a way that had never been done before. The Brat Pack label, however, had long-lasting effects on the actors’ careers.
McCarthy’s journey in making “Brats” was a deeply personal one. He reunites with old friends and colleagues, many of whom he hadn’t seen in over 30 years. The documentary features interviews with Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Jon Cryer, Lea Thompson, and Timothy Hutton. McCarthy also sits down with Blum for the first time to discuss the impact of the term he coined.
The film is produced by ABC News Studios, Neon, and Network Entertainment, with McCarthy directing from his own script. The production team includes Derik Murray and Adrian Buitenhuis as producers, and Brian Liebman, Dan O’Meara, Tom Quinn, Brian Gersh, Paul Gertz, Kent Wingerak, Victoria Thompson, and David Sloan as executive producers.
Mike Kelley, head of ABC News Studios, praised McCarthy’s unique perspective as a seminal member of the Brat Pack. He described the documentary as a deeply personal, surprising, and entertaining journey.
While some former Brat Pack members declined to participate, those who did offered a range of perspectives. Estevez, for instance, felt his career was derailed by the Brat Pack label and took steps to distance himself from the group. Sheedy recalled feeling “shell-shocked” after the New York magazine article was published, while Moore and Lowe have come to view the label with a more philosophical outlook.
Ultimately, “Brats” is a reflection on a unique period in Hollywood history and the lasting impact of a single magazine article. For McCarthy, it was an opportunity to revisit the past and bring it into the present, offering a nuanced look at what it meant to be part of the Brat Pack.
