The recent Academy Awards was all about glitz and glamour, sparkling frocks and beaming, if predictable, winners. But for me, the most moving moment of this year’s ceremony was the tribute to director John Hughes.

John Hughes death too soon last year hit millions hard. He might have been reclusive, but at one point he spoke for a generation. We were reminded of the power of his filmmaking with this beautiful tribute.

We were reminded with a montage of his films, and we were reminded as the stars of his films joined together to share their memories of Hughes. How amazing to think that if not for Hughes, we may never have heard of Molly Ringwald, Matthew Broderick, or Judd Nelson.

As we celebrate gritty dramas like The Hurt Locker and Precious and big budget spectaculars like Avatar, it is refreshing to remember a time when heartfelt writing about everyday issues touched millions.