Another movie that over the decades has become problematic, “Sixteen Candles” tells the story of 16-year-old Samantha Baker, whose family forgets her birthday in the wake of her older sister’s wedding plans. She also has a crush on the most popular guy at school who seems not to know she exists, and she also must deal with the unwanted attention of Ted, a geeky freshman who won’t take no for an answer.
One of the main criticisms of the film is its offensive portrayal of Long Duk Dong, a hyper-sexed Asian exchange student staying with Sam’s family. Additionally, the film has sexual consent problems. Jake, the popular boy Sam has a crush on, gives his blackout-drunk girlfriend to Ted as a “gift.” Ted proceeds to drive away with her, and it is insinuated that they have sex without her knowledge or consent.
Molly Ringwald, who played Sam, said that she has misgivings about the film now that she has kids. “You know, when I made those movies with John Hughes [the director], his intention was to not make ‘Porky’s’ or ‘Animal House.’ But I think that times were different, and what was acceptable then is definitely not acceptable now and nor should it have been then, but that’s sort of the way that it was.
“I feel very differently about the movies now, and it’s a difficult position for me to be in because there’s a lot that I like about them … I don’t want to appear ungrateful to John Hughes, but I do oppose a lot of what is in those movies.”
