John Bender (Judd Nelson) is one of the five students stuck in all-day detention, the trouble-making rebel of the group who not only hates assistant principal Vernon (Paul Gleason), but cracks wise about the majority of his detention "inmates" throughout the movie. Still, as it progresses, he transforms from douchebag to lovable rogue, fetching cannabis from his locker and earning a degree of sympathy as he opens up to the group about his abusive father. By movie's end, John has kissed the princess-like Claire (Molly Ringwald), and in the movie's most iconic moment, pumps his fist triumphantly, making him an anti-hero that's damn-near impossible for the audience to resist. While some youthful rogues (namely Ferris Bueller) become less charming as the audience gets older and realises how much of a tosspot they actually were, that's thankfully not the case with Mr. Bender. He transcends the circle of hate that he was born into and learns a vital lesson about the high school experience in the process. What's not to like?
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
