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Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Lea Thompson star in this Howard Deutch-directed film from writer/producer/’80’s teen titan’ John Hughes. Stoltz is a high schooler pining for a popular girl (Thompson), all while his tom-girl best friend pines for him (Masterson). Masterson has the juiciest part here, too afraid to tell her buddy that she loves him. You gotta give Thompson credit for riding a fine line with her role — the snobby girl you don’t hate. Craig Sheffer wears the villain badge well, and Elias Koteas is memorable as a bully who makes good.

Until some dreaded moment in the early 90s (Baby’s Day Out?), you could always count on John Hughes to deliver the goods in teen-centered films and Some Kind of Wonderful is no exception. Hughes almost single-handedly steered teen films away from raunchy sexcapades to sincere, emotionally based stories that neither pandered nor preached to their young adult audiences. And as a bonus, his films are like little time capsules from the 80s, lacquered in wardrobe and music selections that are sure to satisfy 30 or 40 somethings who find themselves lost on nostalgia lane.