"Buy the Book" - the failing of "Sixteen Candles"

"Sixteen Candles" probably the most classic 80's movie there is to date.

The power and potency of this film can not be surmised or summarized. There's no "Cliff Notes" like some Shakespearean play. There's no "Sixteen Candles for Dummies." Oh, that there were. But a thousand volumes of such works could only further the mystery. Like JFK, the moon landing and Velveeta - we can never really know the full revelation of truth behind it.



The reader's representation in the film, Long Duk Dong, played by Gedde Watanabe, couldn't be a better "exchange student" for us within the film itself. Allowing the viewer to be ingrained in the file. He invites us to literally imbibe the film, to steep ourselves in it's richness, to drink it down to the very dregs to the point where no more physical pleasure can be desired as is uttered "No more yanky my wanky."

Flat? My goodness no.

The journey is as multi-faceted as any jewel yet discovered: the passage to manhood, the coming of age, the forgotten birthday, a Porsche - it's all there. One is tempted to pre-date this film before "Citizen Kane."

The culmination of the film's primary arch is more symbolic than anything. Two young soon-to-be adults. A cake. Candles (fire). A kiss above the "fire." Sitting on the table. An where did the cake come from? Was this planned all along? Who suggested sitting on the table? Is this something only the rich kids do? Can this be safe?

The lights above, the lights below, the lights within.



The imagery and metaphors flow like so many lost years in high school. I have to wonder if the entire film was made only to be able to film this scene. This one defining scene that leaves us believing all things are possible. The Geek can get the girl, the forgotten birthday will be restored, I too can sit on the table, candles lit!

Yet for all it's truth and glory, there is the one failing of "Sixteen Candles" - the attempt to ingrain the world with the delightful saying "buy the book." Oh, how I wish I could buy the book. Yet, neither was the book realized nor the dream of a new phrase for teens and adults alike. To use the Donger's explanation: "Lake, big lake."

Though even it's failing, "Sixteen Candles" proves to us that even the very best may fall short. And in that we learn the core lesson: it's ok to not grasp that star - the beauty was in striving to grab it with both hands and wring it for the life blood it has.

One has to wonder though, if the lesson was in foresight, if reaching for all and falling short means we are human and we are taught that by Molly, et. al., then perhaps this faux-paux is simply a cleverly disguised high-five to all of us dreamers. How many layers does this onion have? I can only strive to know. "Buy the book" indeed.



So dream on, lively dreamers. Grasp that rascally star and grasp firmly for this comet flies fleet of foot. Yet, weary be the selection of such towage - thine star yet may be fallen of Jud Nelson. Despite all, take refuge fellow traveler in the immortal and sagely words of our representative head: "The Donger need food."