A certain generation can watch this a feel the entire film. If you watch it along with the Breakfast Club, you're reliving that wonderful time in your life where the world was yours to conquer.

Not all critics are fans of this film. A lot of people think that the eighties was a decade of decadence. This movie pretty much is how a lot of people acted back then. The 80s were over the top. '80s was definitely one of the most economic decades. Most 20-year-olds are just trying to find their way. It is natural for them to get wrapped up in themselves. In a lot of ways they are still like kids trapped in adult bodies. At that age there's a lot of poor decision making. And impulsive decisions are made. They definitely look out for each other in this film. Especially when Jules gets herself in over her head. Billy surprisingly towards the end of the film shows he has a grown up side. When he tries to help her get out of a funk. Wendy is very level-headed. Her character is very mature for her age. She's the voice of reason in the group. Leslie is pretty down to earth. She gets a little impulsive. But she still has a good head on her shoulders. Kevin is indecisive. But by the end of the film he figures it all out. Kirby is love obsessed. He doesn't have his priorities straight. Love can make you do crazy things. By the end of the Movie he grows up somewhat. Give the film a chance you might be surprised.

Filme legalzinho, o roteiro é bacana, o elenco é legal, as histórias de dramas e de romance dos adolescentes é legal, com traições e coisas de relacionamentos, um meio que parece um episódio/filme de friends só que de adolescentes, por que são amigos que tem coisas de relacionamentos que acontece depois da formatura, o filme teve muito drama e pouca comédia para um elenco desse, eu só recomendo se quiser ver um filme de drama e romance de adolescentes, por que comédia não tem.

https://youtu.be/IwsZi4rLwyE?si=9x70zD_N2vhYvASu

Unrealistic and very self absorbed

It started out OK, but degraded quickly. My wife and I couldn't finish watching it.

St. Elmo’s Fire… should have been, what it could have been.

Resonates with the coming of age genre - we all make mistakes in our youth- and I love the music.

Not only is this movie boring, it also manages to serve up societal no no’s such as stalking, drunk driving, and sexual harassment - trying to make them all look cute/normal. I saw this movie in the theater when it came out in 1985. It never sat right with me then. Forty years later, it still doesn’t sit right with me now.

St. Elmo's Fire is essentially the Avengers Assemble of Brat Pack flicks, in that it has more members of the group than any other film before or since. A breakthrough movie for Joel Schumacher and much of the cast, it received a lukewarm reception back in its day, with much criticism focusing on the unlikability of the characters. I guess no one told them that characters need to be flawed in order to be interesting. I definitely didn't think that they were too unlikeable. All have their own unique shortcomings, and the film explores how this affects their day to day lives. At its heart, the film is about how the biggest problems in our lives are invariably the ones that we create for ourselves, whether we're too hesitant to take a opportunity when its presented, or squander it through arrogance or carelessness. We sabotage relationships out of spite or stupidity, and we blame others for our own errors. It's a mostly plotless film, being more of a character study, and even though its hard to remember names to begin with, the time we spend with our leads allows us to familiarise and empathise with them and their various situations. There's other films that do this better, even films made around this time, but if you can get past how long it feels at times, I think its earnesty and unpretentiousness will win you over.

The only thing this movie has going for it is the snapshot back into the mid-80s (oh and the live saxophone scene is great!). It's a pretty boring script for a coming-of-age film about a group of very unlikeable people. It really did not age well either.

I watched this on DVD recently because I liked the theme song, and I'd never seen the movie. It's a bit like a Friends/Cheers hybrid, but with more characters and a lot less comedy. It's quite serious and dramatic at first and I found it difficult to take an interest. However, as the plot unfolds the story improves and the characters become more familiar. By the end I quite liked it, and I'm glad I took the time to watch it. It reminded me of the 80's when I was growing up.

Brat pack movie which personally reflected exactly my life at that time showing the ins and outs of being a twenty something and not knowing about or caring about the horrors of getting older and just being in your own little world of pretty healthy people....I suppose nostalgia means a lot when reviewing a film and the simply delicious Demi Moore was my absolute favourite fantasy girl......omg that voice.

"St. Elmo's Fire" is a film that brings together a group of young and talented actors, but unfortunately, the story fizzles out like a damp firework. The characters seem to be going through the typical struggles of post-college life, but their actions and choices often leave you scratching your head. While the soundtrack may ignite some nostalgic feelings, the plot fails to live up to the hype, making it feel like a melodramatic soap opera rather than a memorable coming-of-age tale. Despite its shortcomings, the film still manages to capture the essence of the 80s, leaving you with a sense of curiosity about the decade's quirks and fashion choices. If you're looking for a movie to pass the time, "St. Elmo's Fire" might suffice, but don't expect it to set your cinematic world ablaze.

In the 80s, did people really sympathize with characters like this? Was it okay to be a stalker?

St. Elmo's Fire is what other people think of when they thought of 80's films such as The Breakfast Club and About Last Night which does have the same cast in between. It had a fantastic soundtrack and it is great. The song that I love from it is "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" by John Parr and the theme from David Foster who also composed the music for the film. I listened to many of his stuff cause I'm a huge fan of his music, they're so beautiful. The story, how can I explain? It's honestly weird to describe because the story of the main characters, they all have their passion that burns deep into the hole. Here's what I mean: A group of recent Georgetown graduates in the Washington DC area struggles to get on with their lives and with each other. The Brat Pack actors, Emilio Estevez as Kirby Keager who is a law student and waiter at St. Elmo's Bar and he has an obsession with a medical student named Dale played by Andie MacDowell. Rob Lowe as Billy Hicks who is a saxophonist as in "frat boy" and reluctant husband and father. Andrew McCarthy as Kevin Dolenz who is a writer for The Washington Post with a sullen streak, and Kirby's roommate. Demi Moore as Jules who is an international banker and the "party girl" of the group. Her character is high and is addicted to coke. Demi also worked with Rob Lowe in the 80's teen comedy drama, About Last Night. Judd Nelson as Alec who is a yuppie pursuing his career in politics and he is in love with Leslie Hunter. Judd had previously played a cocky arse****, Bender in The Breakfast Club and everybody loved him. Speaking of that, Ally Sheedy as Leslie Hunter who is a budding architect who is reluctant to marry Alec. Ally had also previously worked with Emilio Estevez and Judd Nelson. And then we have Mare Winningham as Wendy who is a clerk from a wealthy family and devoted to helping others. When I heard of St. Elmo's Fire, I was looking at the rating at Rotten Tomatoes and it had a bad rating to mixed by critics so I figured I don't think I'm in for it. But thinking about it, I was like "Okay, that might be worth a look to watch." Because I'm a huge fan of 80's songs and films. Now that I've watched it, I said "And that's St. Elmo's Fire." and honestly, I don't think it deserved the hate that it gets. There's definitely more going for this like the soundtrack by David Foster is wonderful and the film itself is something that I can watch again. However, what keeps it away from being a definitive coming-of-age film is that the story is forgettable where the audience including myself don't know what was going on and can't even get it in your head all the way through and characters that, well, you're kinda grown into them, aren't as well structured as some of the Brat Pack's best but even if people love the film or hate it, they'll make up their minds. Don't get me wrong though, St. Elmo's Fire is still a really good that's worth watching. It's just not as good as the films that came out before and after. But like I said, it had an amazing soundtrack that I will enjoy listening to forever. It's a film that will keep everyone interested as always even if they are a fan of Joel Schumacher and it is worth adding to the DVD collection.

College friends graduate, get jobs, and try to figure out their lives. There's nothing too original here, but the cast is good. I've gotta agree with the critics on this one.

This is one of the quintessential coming of age movies from the 80's. It's a must see that captures the innocence and freedom we all experienced during this wonderful era. Please don't let the critic reviews keep you away. I find their takes laughable and, from what I saw, based entirely on modern dogma. Watch this movie and you're likely to laugh, cry, and find many relatable characters.

I loved this movie!!!

Before there was a Friends television show, St. Elmo's Fire showcased post-college friends in a big city. Three women, four men, some dating relationships among them, some with others, the relationship struggles give this movie its center. Everything else is incidental.