Young high school couple Darcy Elliot and Stan Bobrucz are one year from graduation, with promising futures ahead of them. But their paths take a drastic turn when Darcy becomes pregnant. Unwilling to go through an abortion or an adoption — despite their parents' pleas — Darcy and Stan decide to sacrifice their college experiences and degrees in order to keep and raise the baby. After a quick marriage, the two realize it won't be as easy as they thought.
Acting
Ringwald's panic attack in the bathroom—devastatingly real.
Writing
Actually lets teens be selfish, scared, and occasionally awful.
Director
John G. Avildsen
Molly Ringwald
Darcy Elliot Bobrucz
Randall Batinkoff
Stan Bobrucz
Kenneth Mars
Mr. Bobrucz
Miriam Flynn
Donna Elliot
Conchata Ferrell
Mrs. Bobrucz
Sharon Brown
Lila
John Zarchen
Chris
Pauly Shore
Retro
Patricia Barry
Adoption Official
Janet MacLachlan
Miss Giles
Jaclyn Bernstein
Mary Bobrucz
Renée Estevez
Marnie
Darcy DeMoss
Elaine
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released months after Reagan's welfare reform, it accidentally became a political Rorschach test—pro-life groups loved it, critics called it irresponsible fantasy.
Ringwald was 19 and fighting for adult roles; she later said this film made her realize teen stardom's trap. The baby in the birth scene? Played by twins who later became lawyers.
US
