Can't Buy Me Love (1987) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictNot Woke

Can't Buy Me Love1987

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

“Can’t Buy Me Love” is hardly woke at all, a true time capsule from before Hollywood caught the bug. It’s all about fitting in, falling in love, and learning good old-fashioned lessons without a whiff of modern ideological preaching.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Not Woke

What is this?

“Can’t Buy Me Love” is your classic 80s teen rom-com with characters developed according to timeless, if a bit formulaic, high school tropes. Identity politics or forced representation are essentially non-existent here. The film’s narrative is driven by adolescent mistakes and a genuine coming-of-age arc.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Not Woke

What is this?

The movie reflects typical 1980s American values about family, dating, and popularity. Masculinity and femininity are portrayed in the expected way for the era, and there’s no attempt at subverting tradition. If anything, it reinforces the social structures it depicts.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Not Woke

What is this?

There’s little to no commentary on ideological diversity. The conflicts revolve around popularity, fitting in, and teenage awkwardness, with no critique of traditional worldviews. Everyone seems to agree on what matters: being liked and finding love.

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Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.