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St. Elmo's Fire (1985)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 4.8/10
Reviews Counted: 30
Fresh: 14 | Rotten: 16

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Release Date: Jan 1, 1985 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 52,959

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Movie Info

Post-collegiate angst, '80s style, is the subject of this coming-of-age ensemble piece, which traces the fortunes of a group of Georgetown grads as they enter the real world and grapple with work, infidelity, and adulthood. The most outwardly upscale member of the gang, Jules (Demi Moore), hides a plethora of emotional baggage behind a chic wardrobe, an expensive apartment, a fashionable drug habit, and lots of meaningless casual sex. Her friend Wendy (Mare Winningham) has the opposite problem;

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Drama, Romance

Directed By: Joel Schumacher

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1985 Wide

On DVD: Nov 20, 2001

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

St. Elmo's Fire Trailer & Photos

Cast

Rob Lowe
Billy
Demi Moore
Jules
Andrew McCarthy
Kevin
Judd Nelson
Alex
Ally Sheedy
Leslie
Emilio Estevez
Kirby
Mare Winningham
Wendy
Martin Balsam
Mr. Beamish
Jon Cutler
Howie Krantz
Joyce Van Patten
Mrs. Beamish
Andie MacDowell
Dale Biberman
Jenny Wright
Felicia
Blake Clark
Wally
Elizabeth Arlen
Libby
Daniel Eden
Street Tough
Gina Hecht
Judith
Anna Maria Horsford
Naomi
Whip Hubley
Felicia's Date
Seth Jaffe
Brother-in-Law No. 1
Judy Kain
Woman Banker
Jeffrey Lampert
Brother-in-Law No. 2
Kaaren Lee
Welfare Woman
Mario Machado
Kim Sung Ho
Dean Miller
Clayton
Jim Turner
Postgrad
Scott Nemes
Nephew
Jamison Anders
Tommy Bancroft
David Lain Baker
Jules's Date
Thom Bierdz
Rowdy Undergrad
Bernadette Birkett
Rachel
Bennet Bowman
New Breed Band
James Carrington
Guy
Cindi Dietrich
Flirt
Daniele Iraberen
New Breed Band
Vincent J. Isaac
Cop
Nora Meerbaum
Myra
Don Moss
Maitre D'
Laurel Page
Nurse
Andy Scott
New Breed Band
J.T. Solomon
Hysterical Woman
Michele Winding
Chauffeur
Patrick Winningham
New Breed Band
Jennifer Shull
Matthew Laurance
Ron Dellasandro

Critic Reviews for St. Elmo's Fire

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (17) | DVD (14)

Soapy 20-something friends saga isn't for kids.

January 1, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Ellen Twadell

Common Sense Media

there's a perceptive, brilliant essay buried somewhere in St. Elmo's Fire on the dangers of deeply, tragically stupid people trying to write the great American novel.

October 13, 2009 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central

| Comment

Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

If you grew up with them, you'll like this generally unlikable group. But as far as I'm concerned, they all could use a strict parent.

August 22, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Even teens might have a hard time identifying with the level of melodrama we get here.

August 22, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Everyone struggles. Everyone triumphs. The music swells. No one cares.

June 29, 2009 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comments (2)

Pete Croatto

Filmcritic.com

the loud clothes, the pumped-up fake rock of John Parr, the questionable sex appeal of McCarthy and the unctuous Nelson. Turn it on and watch your skin crawl.

October 13, 2005 Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

| Comment

James Sanford

Kalamazoo Gazette

A telling look at the confusions and challenges facing seven friends who have recently graduated from the same college.

August 18, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

The intolerable apotheosis of 80s youth-driven filmmaking.

July 8, 2004 Comment

Jake Euker

F5 (Wichita, KS) Source: F5 (Wichita, KS)

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for St. Elmo's Fire

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St. Elmo's Fire is an enlightening and coming-of-age ensemble that warms your heart and leaves you feeling all happy inside. The cast is one of the best, being the brat pack, nobody could get enough of them in the 80's and I can see why. It's also a great learning film, that teaches you all about drugs, sex and

June 24, 2011

Bethany Murphy

Super Reviewer

This movie shows and tells you about the transition to life after college. Just a really good honest film about life. Great story and great 80s music, this is another classic! :) I love it! :) :) :)

December 8, 2007

Cassie Hill

Super Reviewer

St. Elmo's Fire Quotes

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