Okay, pop that tape in the VCR, maybe hit tracking just right… remember that satisfying clunk? Tonight on VHS Heaven, we’re revisiting a flick that felt like pure wish fulfillment dialed up to eleven for anyone who ever felt stuck in a dead-end town or job: 1991’s Career Opportunities. It’s a film that practically smells like Blockbuster rental carpet and microwaved popcorn, a quintessential slice of early 90s fantasy penned by the king of teen angst himself, John Hughes.
### Trapped in Retail Purgatory
Right off the bat, the premise is gold, isn't it? Jim Dodge, played with nervous, fast-talking energy by Frank Whaley, is our hero – a self-proclaimed "people person" who's more accurately a serial liar and dreamer, bouncing between minimum-wage gigs. He lands a job as the night cleanup boy at the local Target (though sharp-eyed viewers might know the real filming location was a Kmart in Decatur, Georgia – ah, the magic of movie-making!). His first night takes an unexpected turn when he discovers he's locked in overnight with Josie McClellan (Jennifer Connelly), the town's impossibly beautiful "bad girl" from a wealthy family, who decided to nap in a dressing room.
What unfolds is less a taut thriller and more a dreamy, slightly surreal hangout movie for its first two acts. Jim, initially intimidated and starstruck, slowly connects with Josie, who reveals her own layers of frustration and unhappiness beneath the seemingly perfect exterior. Hughes, working here under the pseudonym Edmond Dantès (a nod to The Count of Monte Cristo, perhaps hinting at themes of escape and reinvention?), gives us familiar territory: two seemingly different teens finding common ground amidst suburban ennui. It feels like Hughes was riffing quickly, perhaps looking for a lighter touch after the juggernaut success of Home Alone the previous year, which he also wrote and produced.
### The Connelly Factor and Hughesian Echoes
Let’s be honest, a huge part of this film's enduring appeal, especially for those of us who first saw it on a fuzzy CRT, is Jennifer Connelly. Already a recognizable face from films like Labyrinth (1986), she is radiant here, embodying that specific kind of early 90s unattainable cool. The camera, under Bryan Gordon’s direction (who later did significant TV work on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm), certainly enjoys lingering on her, particularly during that iconic rocking horse scene. Does it feel a bit like the male gaze working overtime? Absolutely, viewed through a modern lens. But back then, watching on VHS, it felt like part of the fantasy package – the dream girl in the dream scenario.
Frank Whaley sells Jim’s desperation and charm well. He’s not your typical slick Hughes protagonist like Ferris Bueller; he's awkward, prone to exaggeration, but ultimately sympathetic. His attempts to impress Josie, from fibbing about his "career" to showcasing his roller-skating skills through the empty aisles, are pure Hughesian wish-fulfillment. Remember gliding through those wide, empty store aisles on skates? It tapped into a universal kid fantasy. The dialogue has flashes of Hughes's wit, though perhaps not as sharp or generation-defining as his 80s classics. It feels a bit softer, more focused on the immediate fantasy than deep-seated teen angst.
### When the Burglars Crash the Party
And then… the burglars show up. Played with goofy menace by Dermot Mulroney (just before his My Best Friend's Wedding charm offensive) and a very young Kieran Culkin (yes, that Culkin!), their arrival shifts the film into a more conventional, almost Home Alone-lite slapstick territory. While it provides a climax and forces Jim and Josie to work together, this third act often feels jarringly different from the dreamy, character-focused vibe of the first hour. It’s like Hughes suddenly remembered he needed a plot resolution and bolted one on. Did it need the bumbling crooks? Maybe not, but their presence does allow Jim to finally step up and become the hero, albeit in a slightly contrived way. It’s fun, sure, but it dilutes the unique magic of the initial setup.
Despite mixed reviews from critics upon release – who perhaps expected another Breakfast Club – the film found its audience on home video. Made for a modest $6 million, it pulled in just over $11 million at the box office, but its life truly began on those rental shelves. It became one of those movies you’d grab when the bigger hits were checked out, discovering a quirky, charming little film that perfectly captured a certain kind of aimless, hopeful daydreaming. It wasn't trying to change the world; it was offering a pleasant 80-minute escape, wrapped in a fantastic premise and starring one of the era's most captivating young actresses.
### Rating and Final Thoughts
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
Why 7/10? Career Opportunities earns its score through sheer charm, a killer premise, and Jennifer Connelly's undeniable star power. Frank Whaley is relatable, and the first two acts capture a unique blend of fantasy and subtle melancholy. The John Hughes script, while not his strongest, provides enough wit and heart. Points are deducted for the slightly jarring tonal shift in the third act and some dated elements, but its nostalgic pull and core wish-fulfillment fantasy remain potent.
Final Comment: Career Opportunities is like finding a forgotten mixtape from 1991 – maybe not every track is a masterpiece, but the overall vibe is pure nostalgic comfort food, perfectly capturing that fantasy of having the whole world (or at least, the whole Target) to yourself for one magical night. Definitely worth rewinding.