I was too young to see this movie when it was released, but I knew it wasn't Pretty in Pink 2. I'll say, as an abuse survivor, Ringwald's character Jewel is painted as a liar & manipulator by various male characters.
It's pretty difficult for McCarthy's character to decide who to trust. Ringwald's character is straight up traumatized & trapped by Green; abuse seems to be the only constant in her young life.
Oh course, she can't say the word for what's happened to her in the backseat of the car. She has no money, no car, & led to believe any illegal activity she's witnessed will also incriminate her too. The saddest part is all of these boys & men, justifying their actions towards Jewel, based on her beauty, lack of income, lack of education, & unfit parents! The movie ends on a positive note, but I can't agree that Jewel. Is an untrustworthy liar. She's as honest as she can be in an abusive situation, she wants out of. Young trauma/abuse survivors often cope by disassociating or blocking the trauma out completely.
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