Andrew McCarthy’s ‘Brats’: Revisiting the Brat Pack Legacy with Lingering Resentment
Andrew McCarthy’s documentary “Brats” critiques the Brat Pack label that defined his career. Instead of a deep dive, the film is a lightly indulgent project that leaves viewers wanting more. McCarthy starts by highlighting the Brat Pack’s allure in the 1980s, but he believes their fame was marred by a 1985 New York Magazine article that coined the term “Brat Pack.”
Nearly 40 years later, McCarthy’s frustration with the label remains strong. He discusses this with his former co-stars, but these interactions often feel awkward and unproductive. For instance, Emilio Estevez shares McCarthy’s anger but lacks his emotional intensity, leading to missed opportunities for deeper exploration. This pattern continues with other stars like Ally Sheedy and Timothy Hutton.
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McCarthy’s approach is more focused on his own feelings than those of his peers. Most of his former co-stars, except for Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson, spend their screen time listening to McCarthy’s grievances. Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, and Jon Cryer suggest that McCarthy might benefit from moving past his resentment, but the documentary remains narrowly focused on his personal grudge.
Despite its limitations, “Brats” offers moments of nostalgia and cultural insights from figures like Malcolm Gladwell and Bret Easton Ellis. McCarthy’s memoir, “Brat: An ’80s Story,” provides a more detailed account of his experiences, leaving viewers wishing the documentary did the same. “Brats” premieres on June 13 on Hulu after its debut at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, potentially inspiring a more comprehensive documentary about the Brat Pack era.
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