I watched Pretty in Pink today for the first time in years.

I’ve seen it many times, back when I was younger… back when I was different.

In the past, I always rooted for Ducky and despised Blain, but this time I saw things differently. This time, Ducky’s class clown ways and exuberant silly behavior were obnoxious, not endearing. His inability to work up the nerve to talk to Andie about his feelings just screamed of weakness and patheticness.

Blain on the other hand, upon this viewing, I found to be strong. I admired him for standing up to his friends. To do what he felt was right despite what others thought or said. Of course he wasn’t perfect, but no one ever is (especially in a John Hughes movie).

I think in the past, I may have wished Ducky got the girl because he is strange, and I was strange too. I felt a connection with the oddly dressed outsider. Now, I just think him sad.