Don’t You Forget About Me

Don’t You Forget About Me is a sporadically compelling yet undeniably uneven documentary that follows four Toronto-based filmmakers as they attempt to meet legendary director John Hughes, with the road trip that ensues punctuated by clips and interviews revolving around the impact that Hughes’ teen-oriented films have had (and continue to have) on moviegoers and cinema in general. It’s obvious almost instantly that the aforementioned road trip stands as Don’t You Forget About Me‘s weakest element, as the foursome’s ongoing exploits are hardly as compelling as one imagines they’re meant to be – with their climactic visit to Hughes’ house essentially coming off as an off-putting, almost Michael Moore-esque ambush. There’s subsequently little doubt that the movie fares best when focused on the behind-the-scenes tales proffered by actors who worked directly with Hughes, with the inherently fascinating nature of their respective stories, coupled with soundbites from a myriad of Hughes fanboys (eg Jason Reitman, who calls Ferris Bueller’s Day Off a “perfect movie”), effectively compensating for the film’s fawning and undeniably repetitious sensibilities. The inclusion of a few unexpectedly poignant moments near the movie’s conclusion (eg several subjects explain just what Hughes’ work has meant to them) admittedly does ensure that Don’t You Forget About Me ends on a positive note, yet it’s ultimately clear that fans of the iconic director will find much more to embrace here than detractors.

**1/2 out of ****