by Joel Hanek
Mix an early-20s Jennifer Connelly, a cameo by John Candy, a plot that involves teenagers physically trapped in a building -- thus forcing them to spend time with one another, confront stereotypes and (inevitably) fall in love -- and then add a cross-promotion with Target that is basically an integrated marketer’s wet-dream. What is this crazy thing, you ask? John Hughes’ classic romantic teenage comedy, “Career Opportunities”.
The 1991 film, overshadowed for many by Hughes’ other monster early '90s releases ("Home Alone," "Dutch"), stars Frank Whaley, a charismatic goofball of an actor. He's got a million cameos under his belt and only a few starring roles -- most notably, “Swimming with Sharks," which co-stars Kevin Spacey.
Whaley plays Jim Dodge, a college-aged but degree-less nerdy suburbanite who can’t hold a job. After a stern talking-to from his parents, Jim secures employment as the overnight janitor at the local Target (cue the amazing John Candy cameo). When Jim is locked in the store for the night by his boss -- who knew Target had such questionable Human Resource policies? -- he discovers that his old high school crush, the gorgeous daughter (Connelly) of a local millionaire, somehow got herself all locked up in the store too.
The two cut loose, rollerblading through the aisles and eating microwave dinners at their leisure. That is until two dirty robbers break in (one played by a hairy Dermot Mulroney) and hilarity ensues!
Okay, okay, okay. There probably IS a reason that you've not heard of this movie, what with all of the other golden gifts that Hughes has given us. But hey, it’s a still "John Hughes movie," and anything that he’s done deserves a second (or a first) look. The filmmaker had a masterful touch with his characters. He didn’t need to write a scene about a teenager who was lost and confused in high school. Hell, everyone knows what that’s like!
Instead, Mr. Hughes created genuine personalities when all too often in cinema we were just seeing teenagers/young adults painted as some amorphous conglomeration of blasé rebellion and sarcastic retorts. If anyone could write a movie about two people stuck in a Target overnight and make it work, it was John Hughes.
Do yourself a favor: if you are ever up late watching TV before you go to bed and you see that “Career Opportunities” is coming up next, stick around and induce insomnia. Just for one night. It’s a great, corny little ball of fun that, like all of Hughes' timeless classics, will leave a smile on your face.
Comments