Retro Spins: St. Elmo's Fire

What happened to Joel Schumacher? How do you go from classics like The Lost Boys and St. Elmo's Fire to Batman Forever? I don't think I've been able to take him serious since that and his follow up, Batman and Robin.

Today's hottest young actors star in this film about seven friends, recent college graduates, searching for a place in "the real world," as they face the issues of career and commitment. Leslie and Alec (Ally Sheedy and Judd Nelson) try to save a crumbling romance. Wendy (Mare Winningham), a shy virgin, hides a love for Billy (Rob Lowe), a reluctant father / husband still searching for goals. Kevin (Andrew McCarthy) is a cynical writer who scorns love until he realizes he's in love with his best friend's girl. Kimbo (Emilio Estevez), a  law student, obsessively pursues an older woman. The beautiful, neurotic Jules (Demi Moore) paints a poignant picture of life in the fast lane. Against the backdrop of St. Elmo's, their local hang-out, they save, betray and love one another as only the closest of friends can. - Back of the original VHS

The album delivers a solid hit in the opening track, St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) from John Parr, and from there delivers a fair amount of decent songs. Young and Innocent from Elefant and This Time It Was Really Right from Jon Anderson were stand out tracks from the bunch. As was Saved My Life from Fee Waybill. However, it's the instrumental Love Theme From St. Elmo's Fire by David Foster which stands out as second best to the opening track. I can see why it was chosen as a single back in 1985.

Overall, while I expected more from St. Elmo's Fire, I still ended up with a decent soundtrack. It's by no means my favorite from the 80's, but it's pretty okay. I could see myself listening to this album again in the near future.

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