Review: Author explores social guidelines from ’80s films

“Life Moves Pretty Fast” (Simon & Schuster), by Hadley Freeman

Hadley Freeman’s ability to explore social guidelines from beloved ’80s movies is addicting. She analyzes story lines and plot points from films that moulded an entire generation, forcing those who grew up with these characters to take a deeper look at why they fell in love with them in the first place. Freeman provides a personalized guide into this phenomenon in “Life Moves Pretty Fast.”

Admitting that “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was her gateway drug into the world of popular ’80s movies, Freeman proves she’s a bona fide connoisseur of the genre. She tackles the topics of first love, teenage angst, manly bonding, social classes and race using a variety of revered film examples, including “The Princess Bride,” ”Dirty Dancing,” ”Ghostbusters,” ”Back to the Future” and anything starring Eddie Murphy.

This includes an entire section dedicated to John Hughes. If anyone defined a generation, it was this man and his muse, Molly Ringwald. “Pretty in Pink” and “The Breakfast Club” taught the misfits of the world that being different doesn’t mean you have to be a pushover. Freeman also discusses the probability of such films being produced today.

“Life Moves Pretty Fast” is a delightful collection of humorous, witty and sometimes poignant life lessons. It’s smart, clever and creative, much like the films on which it is based.