Farewell John Hughes

**UPDATE # 2**

Since posting this, a wonderful and sublimely touching article has come to my attention. It’s a highly anecdotal tale that solidifies my own writing below, which could have otherwise been regarded as pure conjecture. It was written by a woman named Alison Byrne Fields. I implore all of you to READ IT! If you only have time to read one, my write-up or hers, READ HERS!

Also. for a bit more insight, The Wall Street Journal spoke to Alison about her experience here.

**UPDATED**

I’ve reworked the ending as it felt a little rushed because I wanted to get something up acknowledging the loss. I’m okay with it now.

**ORIGINAL ARTICLE **

John Hughes died today from a heart attack at the age of 59.

With his death, so too died a part of my childhood.

Being born in ‘78, I am very much a child of the 80’s. I am also a movie geek. These facts alone are enough to tell you that I am a fan of all things John Hughes.

He captured the teenage condition like none before him, and very few since.

His characters were not one-dimensional. They had life to them.

They were your friends. Your enemies. Your brothers. Your sisters. Your crushes. And your envies.

They were people. Real people, and that made them highly relatable.

Who didn’t want to be Ferris Bueller?

Hughes’ films still conjure fond memories some twenty plus years later. A merit unlikely to diminish anytime in the foreseeable future.

His films were tender and funny and written with care.

John Hughes leaves behind an entire generation that grew up on his films. A generation he helped to cope with being uncomfortable in it’s own skin. A generation he helped to make comfortable.

That is his legacy.

That and the generations who still have yet to discover his films.

It’s of little consolation, because at 59 he should have had another 20+ years to go, but at least he made his mark on the world before he left it.

E Online has a more thorough write-up here.

John Hughes, February 18, 1950 – August 6, 2009

On behalf of all the brains, the athletes, the basket cases, the princesses, and the criminals who are so much more than those most convenient definitions…

Thank you for the giving us a voice.