Looking back on the era of the Brat Pack, a group of young actors from the 80s, it’s clear that the label was never something they embraced. In fact, Andrew McCarthy, one of the members of this group, reveals in his new documentary, Brats, that they despised the term from the start. The term was coined in a New York Magazine cover story that painted them in a dismissive light, but the documentary goes beyond that initial perception.
In Brats, McCarthy takes the audience on a personal journey as he reconnects with his fellow Brat Packers like Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy, and Demi Moore. They reflect on their time together and the impact they had on a generation of young fans who saw them as representations of their own youth. McCarthy, known for his roles in films like Pretty in Pink and St Elmo’s Fire, acknowledges the significance of those 80s coming-of-age movies in shaping a cultural moment.
Reflecting on the infamous New York Magazine story that labeled them the Brat Pack, McCarthy admits that it was a challenging time for the group. The article portrayed them in a negative light, highlighting their alleged narcissism and lack of professional training. Despite the backlash, McCarthy and his peers found a way to move past the label and maintain their individual careers.
Through Brats, McCarthy aims to reclaim his narrative and set the record straight about the Brat Pack era. He acknowledges the impact of the media on their lives and how one article can shape public perception for years to come. While discussing the modern-day equivalent of the Brat Pack phenomenon, McCarthy highlights the lack of a unified cultural experience in today’s society, making it difficult for a similar group to emerge.
As McCarthy reflects on his journey with Brats and the legacy of the Brat Pack, he emphasizes the importance of taking control of one’s narrative in the age of social media. The documentary serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the influence of the media in shaping public opinion. In the end, McCarthy’s story is not just about the Brat Pack, but about the resilience and evolution of a group of young actors who defied expectations and forged their own paths in Hollywood.