In 1986, no movie encapsulated the decade’s style, music, and romance more than “Pretty in Pink.”
Andrew McCarthy, who starred alongside Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, and James Spader in the film, became one of the most recognizable faces of the Brat Pack era. But while fans were swooning over his character, Blaine, McCarthy himself wasn’t a fan of the ’80s rom-com.
Andrew McCarthy Had Some Choice Words For His Iconic ‘Pretty in Pink’ Character
Seth Abramovitch, senior writer at The Hollywood Reporter, spoke to Andrew McCarthy about “Pretty in Pink” for the Spotify podcast, “It Happened in Hollywood.”
The actor revealed that he accepted the role of Blaine McDonnagh without reading “Pretty in Pink’s” script. “I needed a job, and I needed the $50,000 they were going to pay me,” he admitted. “So I read the script on the way out, on the plane.”
He added that at the flight’s end, “I called my agent and said, ‘You’ve got to get me out of this movie. This guy’s a jerk.’”
Why did McCarthy feel so strongly about the role? He didn’t like Blaine’s behavior toward Ringwald’s Andie Walsh, leaving her behind after they appeared to connect on a deeper level that went way beyond their financial roles.
“When we were doing it, I thought the film was a silly, tepid movie about a girl who wants to go to a dance and makes a dress,” he explained. “I was wrong. Over time I have really grown to have great affection and respect for it.”
Molly Ringwald Was the Reason Andrew McCarthy Won His Role in ‘Pretty in Pink’
Ironically, Andrew McCarthy got the role not because he was the type of actor Hughes envisioned for the role. Rather, it was Ringwald who pushed for his hiring, McCarthy revealed.
He revealed that the role of Blaine was “written for a broad-shouldered, square-jawed, prom-king type. I was decidedly not that at 22.”
“I was this frail, overly sensitive kind of guy. But I had just done ‘St. Elmo’s Fire,’ and there was a little buzz about that movie. So they said, ‘He’s not right for this at all, but he can audition if he wants.’”
The actor claimed that he auditioned, and sensing what he believed was Hughes’ disinterest in his audition, he left, “thinking it was a waste of my afternoon. And then Molly apparently turned to John and Howie Deutsch and said, ‘That’s the guy.’ John responded, ‘That wimp?’”
He concluded that Ringwald believed the character of Blaine wasn’t “some boring jock. He’s sensitive and soulful and poetic. He’s the guy.”
“[Hughes] put his money where his mouth was. From the moment he hired me, he was fully behind me. But it was entirely Molly who got me that job.”
“Pretty in Pink” celebrated the 40th anniversary of its release on February 28.
