We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Join me as I begin the week here at the NLSC with my opinions and commentary on basketball gaming topics, as well as tales of the fun I’ve been having on the virtual hardwood. This week, I’m tipping things off with a totally serious theory (OK, not really) of how some classic John Hughes movies foretold the rise and fall of the Chicago Bulls.
The holiday season is in full swing with Christmas this week, and since that coincides with summertime here in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s also come to be known as our “silly season“. Therefore, in the spirit of the season, I’m mixing Monday Tip-Off with JaoSming’s old column, Dumb Mondays (what is this, a crossover episode?!?). This silly, light-hearted, Christmas-related topic is one that I’ve actually been sitting on for years, so it’s time to put it out there for some holiday cheer. Don’t worry; everything will be back to normal next week!
As a 90s kid, I can’t help but associate the movies of the late, great John Hughes with Christmas and the holidays. That’s chiefly due to Planes, Trains and Automobiles – a film set at Thanksgiving – and the first two Home Alone movies, two classics that take place at Christmas and are very near and dear to my generation. It only makes sense to reflect on those films and watch them again during the holiday season, but what do those iconic John Hughes movies have to do with the Chicago Bulls dynasty? Well, some years back, a Forum post prompted me to draw comparisons between the plots of those films, and the rise and eventual fall of the Bulls. Strap in, we’re getting silly!
Before I get into those John Hughes movies and their connections to a chapter in the Chicago Bulls’ rise to power in the 90s, let’s acknowledge some common parallels. Although John Hughes was born in Lansing, Michigan, he spent his teenage years in Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Those years clearly had a profound effect on Hughes, not only cultivating his love of movies, but also inspiring him to set many of his own works in Chicago upon becoming a filmmaker. Although his filmography includes a range of movies, his big breakthrough was with a string of coming-of-age teen comedies that were lauded for their more authentic depiction of adolescent life.
A trio in red, ruling Chicago. Sounds familiar!
But this is not meant to be a serious biography of John Hughes and his career in movies. It’s a silly, tongue-in-cheek theory that those films unintentionally predicted the Chicago Bulls becoming a dynasty in the 90s. Or is it silly? Yes it is, but humour me a moment! Anyway, as noted, Hughes was born in Michigan, and then spent his high school years in Chicago. His family moved to the Windy City in 1963, the same year that Michael Jordan was born. Michigan is certainly a relevant part of the Bulls’ ascent, as the Pistons were the roadblock they needed to get past as a maturing team destined for big things. Coming-of-age, if you will, as in John Hughes’ early movies.
Oh, we’re just getting warmed up here! John Hughes’ birthday is actually the day after Michael Jordan’s. Also, while Hughes was born in Michigan, moved to Chicago, and became a successful filmmaker with an undeniable connection to the Windy City, Isiah Thomas was born in Chicago, but played his entire NBA career in Michigan, becoming an all-time great as a Detroit Piston. John Hughes’ directorial debut was Sixteen Candles, which he also wrote. Credited as helping to launch Molly Ringwald’s career, the film is set in Chicago (of course), and premiered in May 1984. Six months later, Michael Jordan’s NBA career also officially began with a game in Chicago.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, released in 1986, is all about a gifted young man – Ferris Bueller, obviously – who nevertheless has some growing up left to do. He takes the day off school for an adventure in Chicago, doing pretty much whatever he wants and ultimately getting away with it. Michael Jordan also took a lot of time off in 1985-1986, owing to a broken foot sustained in the third game of the season. He returned in time for the Playoffs though, and with the freedom granted by the end of his minute restriction, MJ did pretty much whatever he wanted against the Boston Celtics. That includes breaking Elgin Baylor’s long-standing Playoff record by scoring 63 points.
The Bulls’ journey to becoming a dynasty had some setbacks.
Yes, Michael Jordan’s dazzling individual brilliance was Some Kind of Wonderful, hobbled as he was for most of 1986. The same could be said of his 1987 season, where he averaged 37.1 points per game, the highest mark achieved by anyone not named Wilt Chamberlain. However, the Bulls had limited success, as powerful teams like Larry Bird’s Celtics ruled the roost, standing in the way of completing the journey to the Larry O’Brien trophy. Indeed, that’s reminiscent of successful businessman Neal Page in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, who was thwarted at every turn as he tried to return home (to Chicago, naturally) in time to be with his family for Thanksgiving.
In fact, let’s stick with Planes, Trains and Automobiles for a moment. One of the central themes to that incredible film is change and growth, confronting bad habits, and becoming better as a person. Neal learned to be more empathetic, and grateful for what he had. Del Griffith learned that he needs to tone it down, to not try too hard or come on too strong, and thus push people away. Even as Michael Jordan established himself as the league’s most talented and exciting star, there was still criticism that he didn’t trust his teammates, that he couldn’t lead them to success. He matured into the GOAT, just as Planes, Trains and Automobiles is one of the greatest comedies ever.
Over the next couple of years, John Hughes wrote, directed, and produced movies that were moderately successfully and certainly enjoyed, such as Uncle Buck and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Likewise, the Bulls were a perennial Playoff team that had to be taken seriously, but they weren’t quite true contenders just yet, with the Detroit Pistons still standing in their way. And then, 1990 heralded a breakthrough for both John Hughes movies, and the Bulls. Home Alone was a smash hit, and remains the most successful live-action family comedy to date. As Home Alone became a success in theatres, the Bulls were embarking on their first championship season.
Michael Jordan: Effective Against Wet Bandits & Bad Boy Pistons!
Pundits should’ve seen it coming. In Home Alone, eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind in Chicago (check) while his family travels to Paris for their Christmas vacation. He ends up thwarting a pair of thieves – the Wet Bandits – when they try to rob his house. One could sum up the climax of the movie as a couple of bad guys getting their comeuppance in Chicago; kind of like the Bad Boy Pistons at last falling to the Bulls. At one point, they’re even deterred by a plan that involves a cardboard cut-out of His Airness! The Bulls went on to triumph in Los Angeles, just as Home Alone proved to be a massive box office success. Goosebumps, am I right?
Chicago of course successfully defended their championship in 1992, though they endured a tough series against the New York Knicks. That brings to mind the further adventures of Kevin McCallister, who – as per the subtitle of Home Alone 2 – was lost in New York. He once again managed to thwart the Wet/Sticky Bandits in absolutely brutal fashion, much as the Bulls overcame a rugged Knicks team on route to their second championship. Now, that series predated the release of Home Alone 2, but principal photography on the film ended just before their second round series tipped off. It also foretold another tough series against the Knicks in 1993, ahead of title #3.
The movies that John Hughes wrote and produced in the mid 90s – occasionally under the pen name of Edmond Dantes – were hit and miss. Dennis the Menace was a box office success, but heavily criticised. Baby’s Day Out was a commercial and critical flop. Beethoven had mixed reviews from critics, but was quite successful. The 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street has its detractors, but performed well and has been generally enjoyed by audiences (it’s also one of Mara Wilson’s most notable roles). While the Bulls enjoyed far more success in the latter half of the 90s, there are still connections with those John Hughes movies that fit into this incredibly silly theory.
The clues are obvious…if you use your imagination and really stretch, anyway.
Just as Baby’s Day Out didn’t have the same magic as earlier John Hughes movies, the 1994 Bulls just weren’t the same without Michael Jordan. Sure, they won 55 games, as so many anti-MJ talking heads love to bleat, but they were a lower seed, and were overwhelmed and bounced in the second round. While Dennis the Menace was mostly panned, it was still successful. Similarly, the Bulls’ acquisition of Dennis Rodman (sometimes nicknamed “Dennis the Menace”) was questioned at the time, but it sure worked out! Miracle on 34th Street…well, MJ’s comeback was a miracle of sorts. Like Beethoven, the Bulls had their haters, but were still widely loved and very successful.
All good things must come to an end though, and while John Hughes was a legendary filmmaker, his later movies were not particularly acclaimed. Indeed, withdrawing from the public eye in 1994 heralded the winding down of his career. Hughes’ last few films – the 1996 live-action remake of 101 Dalmatians, Flubber, and Home Alone 3 – are definitely not as beloved as his earlier works. If nothing else, they marked the end of his time as a prolific filmmaker, just as the late 90s saw the Bulls’ Dynasty draw to a close (albeit in far more impressive fashion). And with that, we can see how iconic John Hughes movies predicted and paralleled the Chicago Bulls’ six championships!
OK, in all seriousness, that’s more of a stretch than Michael Jordan made to dunk the gamewinning shot in Space Jam. As a fan of John Hughes movies and the Chicago Bulls though, it was certainly a fun exercise! It’s also done with love, as those are some very special films that are worth watching again and again at any time, but certainly around the holidays. If you’re looking for classic movies to watch as you celebrate the festive season, I’d absolutely recommend John Hughes’ best work from the 80s and 90s. If you’re a Chicago Bulls fan and in the mood to see some wins and great basketball…well, I’d have to recommend watching games from the same era!
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