MovieChat Forums > Can't Buy Me Love (1987) Discussion > The 'Breakup' Scene

The 'Breakup' Scene

posted 7 years ago by broomulack
10 replies | jump to latest

I've seen this movie dozens of times, and tonight for the very first time I picked up on something I had misconstrued before.

The morning they stage the breakup scene, Cindy starts the conversation by saying something to the effect of "I did a little thinking, I think now is the time we had our little talk.....about us, you know you, me" (paraphrasing of course).

I always thought she was just starting the phony breakup, but now I realize (at least I think) that she was making another attempt to get him to see that there was something between them. The way she said it "Us, you know you, me" and her tone - it didn't seem like she was trying to end it.

Thoughts?

[–] Catnip86 7 years ago

I got that impression too. Especially since the night before, I don't think she was talking about breaking up then either.

[–] broomulack 7 years ago

Right, the night before she was absolutely ready to have a talk about them and was visibly disappointed when he talked about their fake break up. I picked up on that the first time I saw it and wanted to strangle him for not noticing...lol

But the next day, I never realized it until now. She gave the nincompoop two shots and he blew right past both of them.

[–] RonaldMcdonaldMiller 7 years ago

She was most certainly wanting to talk to him about a real relationship. She wanted to talk to him because the night before she didn't tell him what she really wanted to tell him. Unfortunately he thought she was talking about breaking up. I think a lot of these subtle things helps make the movie a good one.

[–] Strannger (2007) 7 years ago

I felt like she may want to take things further. The scene did imply something sensentual

[–] ItalianBuju (793) 4 years ago

I always knew she did not want to end it. I always thought he was dumb for not realizing it.

[–] daveyh (587) 3 years ago

i'm aware this thread probably originated on imdb so people might not see my reply, but I watched it a few nights ago with this in mind, and it's kind of inconclusive - possibly deliberately so.
Her words might suggest that she might not have been trying to end it, but I'd say her tone and body language were no-where near as flirty and warm as the previous occasion when she thought Ronnie was about to kiss her or ask her out.
So I'd say it could be taken either way - in any case, I don't think Ronnie causing a big scene and humiliating her was part of her plan!

[–] Dill (12) 3 years ago

I think her body language and tone were reserved versus flirty and warm because he had inadvertently rejected her the night of their last official date. She definitely wanted to have a conversation about the two of them actually dating, but she was much more tentative in her approach now for good reason. When Ronnie misconstrued her intentions and started his break-up routine she should have quickly let him know that that is not what she wanted, but he was quickly outta control with it. She should have asked to speak to him privately.

[–] Dill (12) 3 years ago

She definitely was trying to make a second attempt at letting him see that there was something between them. Remember Cindy never actually knew what we knew; That Ronnie did in fact have a crush on her. She just thought he was using her popularity to become popular himself. While it was obvious to both of them that they had indeed become real friends beyond their contractual agreement, it was still beyond Ronnie's wildest dreams that she actually wanted to date him. Cindy could have pressed the issue with him that night, but she was clearly caught off guard, hurt, and probably embarrassed that she had misinterpreted everything that had gone on between them over the course of that month.

It would have made more sense for her to talk to him privately that morning so that she could make sure he understood that she was serious about the two of them dating, but that break-up scene was key to the plot of the movie.

[–] Mnsportsguy (1) 2 years ago

I have always felt that when Cindy said to Ronald "I did a little thinking about last night and I think now is the time that we had our little talk. Us, you know. me." That her intention was to tell him she wanted to date him not break up. Not to mention later in the movie when Cindy (3rd chance) tried to talk to Ronald at his locker about her poem. Clearly this all plays out so the ending could be so amazing! I have always loved this movie and was quite sad When I heard Amanda Peterson (R.I.P) passed away.

[–] Dill (12) 2 years ago

Correct. Remember how Ronnie was so enthused about staging a big lover's quarrel for their break up and Cindy was suggesting a small dignified ceremony? After she said they shouldn't do anything to damage his reputation he pretty much tuned her out.

So the next day at school she clearly wanted to let Ronnie know how she really felt about him, but he was already in cool guy overdrive. He was literally dancing on a table to the delight of the crowd when she approached him. The scene was very cleverly done with Cindy trying to get Ronnie to tone it down and him believing it was all part of the act.

I still cringe at the previous scene at the Airplane Graveyard when their major miscommunication occurs, but of course, that is the major plot twist that makes the movie great!