John Hughes Dies at 59

Director John Hughes, 59, suffered a heart attack during a walk in New York city and died earlier today. He is survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren.

For many, Hughes was the director who had the most significant cultural impact with his films during the 80’s. His body of directorial work includes the classics “Sixteen Candles”, “The Breakfast Club”, “Weird Science”, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, and “Planes, Trains & Automobiles”. As a writer, he contributed even more, penning “Mr. Mom”, “National Lampoon’s Vacation”, “Home Alone”, and “Career Opportunities” as well as the aforementioned movies.

What made his movies so compelling and quotable was his finely-tuned sense of the absurd. Who can forget Ben Stein’s sonorous drone, repeating “Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?” ad nauseam? Or Gedde Watanabe’s over the top rendition of the exchange student Long Duk Dong? Or pretty much the entirety of “Weird Science”?

At the same time, that absurdity coalesced the feeling of the times for many teenagers who were trying to make sense of their newly expanded worlds. On the verge of adulthood and the dual curse/blessing of freedom and responsibility, Hughes seemed to tell the world that it’s okay, our teens are confused and they’ll make mistakes, but they’re basically good kids; don’t be too hard on them.

While his cinematic endeavors seemed to slow in latter years, as a creative force, his unique viewpoint will be missed.