Webchat with Hadley Freeman, Tuesday 26th May, 9-10pm

[SandyMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that Guardian columnist and author Hadley Freeman is joining us for a webchat this Tuesday 26th May from 9-10pm.

Hadley will be chatting about her new book, Life Moves Pretty Fast, a love letter to the American films of the 1980s. In the book, Hadley discusses how the 80s flicks once seen as “junk” - Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller, When Harry Met Sally – were a formative influence on her ideas and way of thinking, and explores the life lessons that can be learned from them.
Join us on Tuesday evening at for the webchat, or post your early-bird question now!

Once you've marked the date in your diary or posted your question on the thread take a look at Mumsnet Films. You'll find threads on all the best of the 80s movies so you can jog your memory, or feel free to start one of your own.

Ooh - congratulations!

@LurcioAgain

Hi Hadley, I'm a big ran of yours, and I especially admire the way you combine intelligent and insightful commentary with humour (and the way you use humour to deflate btl trolls).

Recently I read an article of yours on racism in 80s films, pointing out how much passed under the radar that we now look at in horror. I was wondering whether you had some analogous thoughts about sexism in films. In particular, are there any 80s films you look at now and think "that's really unacceptable"? And would it be a fair comment to say that while Hollywood is possibly a less overtly racist place than it was 30 years ago, in terms of sexism it has stayed still or even possibly gone backwards?

I actually talk about all this in my book, so I don't want to repeat myself here for those who have already read it! But briefly, I think Hollywood is still an incredibly racist place. OK, you don't have black characters referred to as "spearchucker", like Eddie Murphy's character is in 48 Hours. But black actors are still generally shunted off into period films or cast as drug dealers or Nelson Mandela, and very rarely as the leading man.

As for sexism, I think the portrayal of women in has definitely gone backwards since the 80s. Women on screen are much thinner and glossier than they were in the 80s, and they're rarely allowed to have jobs, whereas women in 80s movies were often more high-powered than the men.

Congratulations! (And I am now imagining those inevitable but irritating questions mothers-to-be get asked: "What are you hoping for?" "Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarznegger..." Dumbfounded silence.)

@pamthur

Hadley, I'm also an American long term living in the UK, and I've been teaching a class on adolescence. I'm really excited to read you on John Hughes and John Cusack (I hope!) in your new book. Watching The Breakfast Club again I noticed "I don't like Mondays" is graffitied on the lockers at the beginning. Do you think there's a dark underside to John Hughes movies? And isn't it interesting that Heathers has so much more bite than Mean Girls when it comes to satire?

Oh yes, there's a very dark side to John Hughes' films, especially about class in America, which I mentioned to an earlier poster. But Hughes also loved English bands and his teen films are full of references to English New Romantic and other contemporary music, such as that quote you cite.

@TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet

Two questions (they are sort of linked, so hope you will answer both (!) 1 Where are you on all the Pitch Perfect movies?? (major Breakfast Club link there)

Where are you on the Greek System???

I like the Pitch Perfect films, but isn't it amazing how heavily they reference John Hughes' movies? It's incredible how influential Hughes' films still are, 30 years later.

@ponygirlcurtis

(ps my username is for Ponyboy from The Outsiders book! I am totes 80s teen girl still in my heart!)

Ahh, poor little Ponyboy. As for Sodapop - mmmm........

@StupidBloodyKindle

Delayed thank you (sorry, breastfeeding). I cannot think from recent offerings...footloose, dirty dancing etc of any remakes which improve on the original. My 13 year old loves the Pitch Perfect movies and liked Easy A. I was referring to your dream cast article, I think it was Mindy Kaling as a girlie ghostbuster

Yes, I was hoping for Mindy, too. And also Amy Poehler, Amy Schumer, Aubrey Plaza, Anna Kendrick... There are so many terrific female comedians around these days which makes me v v happy.

@Mulberry10

I have to admit I couldn't relate to the John Hughes films at all (I still watched them all though, obv). The Breakfast Club made me laugh. Do you think there's something wrong with me? Did and do worship Heathers though - and can I count An Officer and a Gentleman?

Hey, de gustibus non est disputandum - we all like what we like and that's totally cool. Of course An Office and a Gentleman totally counts. All 80s films welcome round here.

@MyCatIsBatman11

Where do you stand on 70s movies? Do you like Blazing Saddles?

Do you ever, when someone gets your name wrong, shout:

Ha! God BLESS Mel Brooks

@Corygal

In an alternative present where you were loaded, what designer would you wear all the time? Would it be Celine?

I am hoping you will say yes as I like to think of you as an alternate me, but younger and skinnier.

Celine by day, Chanel by night

@theDudesmummy

I read your book over the weekend, thanks for a lovely weekend! And then I bought Ghostbusters as a result and watched it over again! and no, I am not joking! Bill Murray, I had forgotten how sexy...But really Hadley, you were too young to watch all these moves as a teenager first time around (I am not, sadly, these were the movies of my university years) so kudos to you for the insights in the book! Gave me some great nostalgia trips too!

SO sexy, right? Why does no one talk about how totally hot the Ghostbusters were? Madness.

@cornflakegirl

You say you would never write a puff piece - I bought "As you wish" because of the article you wrote on Cary Elwes. I found it a slightly odd book - a book about a film by someone who wasn't really one of the more interesting people in it. Should I have read more into the fact that you didn't really write about the book at all?

Oh I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the book. In all honesty, I found it completely charming, and wouldn't have said so if I didn't. I loved his interviews with the other people from the movie, and, really, I'll always love Westley.

OK! I think that's me done here. Thank you so much to all of your for your questions and for letting me come visit Mumsnet Towers!
Hx

Hi everyone,
We're afraid that's the end of the webchat now, we hope you enjoyed it. We'd like to say a massive thank you to Hadley for coming on and taking the time to answer so many questions, we really appreciate it.
We wish you the very best of luck with your book Hadley and many congratulations on your pregnancy!

I did enjoy the book - just not as much as if you had written it! ;)

Back again finally. Congratulations on your twins
To clarify, I have no opinion on Mindy Kaling. I was simply struck by you saying ''A superfeminine Ghostbuster, trapping ghosts but simultaneously worrying about her manicure would be adorable''.
That would make my teeth itch personally sense of humour fail

But I hope the reboot lives up to your expectations. Wiig, McCarthy, Strong, McKinnon, Jones is the imdb current cast so I will attempt to reserve judgement hoiks up judgy pants
I did think of an 80s movie I would like to see made now though...Oil and Vinegar (John Hughes). It never got made in the first place sadly. With Emma Stone in it as the rock star. Off to find Lucas now. Thank you.

Twins!!! Magic news Hadley, congratulations! And thanks for answering both my questions, you are too lovely xx

Thank you for answering my question. Congrats on your twins.

Wow - twins! Many congrats! Glad I asked.