Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

Some Kind of Wonderful takes the familiar high-school romance setup and gives it a beating heart, letting the emotions feel earned instead of manufactured. Howard Deutch keeps the vibe warm, funny, and a little bruised around the edges, with John Hughes-style dialogue that actually sounds like teenagers trying to protect themselves with jokes. What really makes it sing is Mary Stuart Masterson as Watts, whose presence is so alive and specific you can feel the movie quietly rearranging itself around her, while Eric Stoltz and Lea Thompson bring surprising tenderness to a story about class, image, and what it costs to be seen. It’s very much an ’80s teen film—meaning a few dated attitudes and rougher edges come with the package—but if you want a romantic comedy that’s sweeter, smarter, and more emotionally honest than its premise suggests, it’s an easy one to root for.

Some Kind of Wonderful is clearly aiming for a heartfelt, working-class spin on the classic teen-romance triangle, with genuine affection for its outsiders and a big, swoony payoff. The problem is it’s pretty thin and predictable, relying on familiar high-school hierarchy beats and a script that can feel more like a checklist than real emotional discovery, even when it’s trying to be sincere. Mary Stuart Masterson brings real spark and warmth, and the movie has a few sweet, earnest moments, but if you’re allergic to 80s sentimentality, awkward setups, or romance that telegraphs its endgame early, this may test your patience. Also worth noting: it includes dated language (including a homophobic slur) and some PG-13 teen partying and sexual references that haven’t aged gracefully.