You Break His Heart, I Break Your Face

Alright folks, it's time to revisit the best movie of the 80s. Yes, you may think that "Pretty in Pink" (hello Duckie!) or "Say Anything" (hello boombox above the head!) should be listed here, and they are definitely in the running...but after careful, late night, painkiller induced ponderings, I have come to the professional conclusion that " Some Kind of Wonderful" takes the cherished trophy.

Don't remember it? Let me refresh your memory....


Keith is a warm hearted teenager from the wrong side of town. His best friend is a tomboy named Watts who is secretly in love with him. Keith is smitten with Amanda Jones. She is the prettiest most popular girl in school, who is also from the wrong side of town. Amanda dates Hardy Jenns, a very popular and very rich teenager who looks like he is 35 and plays on Miami Vice.

The Plot thickens-- Keith asks Amanda out the night she dumps Hardy for cheating on her. Amanda agrees to go out with Keith, but is then told if she goes out with him she will no longer be popular or have friends. (this was so how it was at my high school, man Kaysville is a rough hood.)

The plot thickens more....Hardy (remember, rich 35 year old pretending to be in high school) invites Keith and Amanda to a party at his house on the night they are supposed to have their date. Meanwhile Hardy is planning to beat Keith up at the party and make Amanda beg to be his girlfriend again.

But the jokes on Hardy! Keith takes the high road and let's his tough friends he met in detention beat Hardy up instead. Then he realizes that he doesn't really love Amanda, he loves Watts....his faithful, drum playing tomboy friend.

Thus he runs out of the party, down the street, finds the crying Watts, gives her the diamond earrings he spend all of his college money on (and which he gave to Amanda first, but she gave them back and realized that being an independent girl was a good thing)....and if you aren't lost already....Keith then tells Watts, as she is putting on the earrings, that "you look good wearing my future."


Phew...what a story. And the best part? It has the best on screen kiss ever! I have a top five list for onscreen kisses and this is one of them. Look at Watts work her feminine wiles ( I have so tried this with guy friends, and it has never worked, I think it's because I lack the leather gloves?) AND why Keith doesn't figure out right then and there that they should be together is beyond my understanding.


And....finally....that's right...some good ole movie quotes!!! You love em, you know em, you dig em.


Keith Nelson: You can't tell a book by its cover.
Watts: No, but you can tell how much it's gonna cost you.
Keith Nelson: Wow, I never knew you were so deep.
Watts: You want shallow, call Amanda Jones.


Watts: It must be a drag to be a slave to the male sex drive.
Keith: It's not just sex.
Watts: Oh, you want to start a book club with her?


Keith Nelson: I'm sorry. I'm sorry I was so hard on you.
Watts: Me too.
Keith Nelson: You always hurt the ones you love.
Watts: So when are you going to beat the shit out of Amanda Jones?

Keith: Well, I like art, I work in a gas station, my best friend is a tomboy. These things don't fly too well in the American high school.


AND FINALLY---

Watts: You break his heart, I break your face.