Few devices wrap up the torturous popularity contest of high school on film quite like the prom scene. Here, we pick five that stand out – and shake a fist at the respective spring fling and dance contest that make Mean Girls and Grease ineligible. Which would you put in a list of your own? Leave your comments below.
She’s All That
Robert Iscove’s 1999 teen romcom hit all the usual markers: brutal social cliques, an unexpected love and a nice slice of emotional betrayal. The film’s big reveal – gasp, Rachael Leigh Cook was pretty all along – prefaced this climactic prom scene, in which Cook’s geeky Laney Boggs accompanies sleazy jock Dean Sampson (Paul Walker) to the prom. There can’t be many better prom dance scenes than ones that manage to incorporate brewing resentment, regretful heartbreak along with fresh-faced Usher and Lil Kim.
10 Things I Hate About You
Boy meets girl. Boy gets paid by another boy to court girl. Boy asks girl to prom, where the whole story comes to light. Girl storms off, then forgives boy in the end. Gil Junger’s directorial debut, based on The Taming of the Shrew, peaked during a prom scene peppered with punches, a storm-off and the classic motif of a “hot person realising they like a loser”.
Teen Wolf
Michael J Fox, prancing around a school gym in furry prosthetics, we salute you. In typical resolutory form, this prom scene starts to tie together some of the film’s plot points that revolve around Fox’s love interests, and sees him dominate the dancefloor with Susan Ursitti as Lisa “Boof” Marconi. An added bonus comes from the impromptu dance sequence mimicking some of Michael Jackson’s Thriller moves.
Carrie
This Stephen King adaptation really ought to have taught everyone not to pull pranks at prom. After a rigged contest for prom king and queen, Cissy Spacek’s Carrie White character is doused in pig’s blood, pretty much bringing her telekinetic wrath on everyone in the room. On the plus side, Carrie’s dress was adorable.
Pretty in Pink
Are you noticing a “true love resolved” pattern yet? After being ditched by Blane McDonough, her rich-boy crush, Molly Ringwald’s Andie Walsh character faces the prom with her best friend, Phil “Duckie” Dale. But when McDonough shows up and confesses his love for her, she makes a quick date switch. Fair enough.
Last week, Ellie Violet Bramley wrote about five of the creepiest children’s drawing clips. Based on your comments, a reader-submitted list would have read something like this: Paperhouse, Deep Red, Dark Water, Mama and The Orphanage. Thanks for your comments.
• Do you have an idea for Clip joint that you’d like to write? Email tshepo.mokoena@theguardian.com with your idea.
