"16 Candles"  is the first film in a series of John Hughes Teen Comedies. It is also the first major appearance in a starring role of the brilliantly talented, red-headed, Teen Queen of the 80's Molly Ringwald. It became a benchmark film by which all other romantic teen comedies that followed were measured.

Molly Ringwald is charming in her portrayal of Samantha Baker, the high school student who is dumbfounded when her family forgets her 16th birthday. Her birthday is the day before her sister's wedding. Her family & relatives are so preoccupied with the wedding plans that they simply forget her special day. It is this that triggers off a series of hilarious & unforgettable situations.

Molly feels that her family just doesn't care anymore & to add to her disappointment the school geek, Farmer Ted, played delightfully off-the wall by Anthony Michael Hall is deperately in love with her & spends most of the film chasing her around. Molly has other ideas, she has her eyes focused on the boy of her dreams, Jake Ryan, played by Michael Schoeffling.

To add insult to injury, two sets of grandparents have also come to stay at her house for the wedding, including Chinese exchange student Long Duk Dong (played to a tee by Gedde Watanabe). Also, watch out for future teen star John Cusack who has a fun support role as Bryce, a friend of the Geek. The film also has the obligatory party scene in which the house gets trashed, Jake's girfriend gets drunk & Long Duk Dong makes an absolute fool of himself.

"16 Candles" has a goofy, way-out, but sweet sense of humour, that seems outrageously original. This, together with Molly Ringwald's charm & the excellent performances from the supporting cast is why "16 Candles" will remain forever the essential teen comedy classic. If you haven't seen it, don't miss it.