Flashdance (C or 2/4 stars)
Based on the life of welder-turned-dancer Maureen Marder, 'Flashdance' (directed by Adrian Lyne) is a quintessential 1980s musical drama starring Jennifer Beals as Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh steel worker welder by day and, by night ... a flashy exotic dancer aiming to get into ballet school. The plot is shallow, but no one tuned-in back in 1983 for the story {they came for the fantastic music & the sexy dancing}. Alex's big dream is to legitimatize her dancing at ballet school & perform for a living, but though she is independent, she lacks self-confidence to go through with the whole application process.
She gets support from a smattering of friends, as well as an elderly mentor (Lilia Skala). She even starts dating her supportive, divorced, Porsche-driving bar boss, Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri), but she lacks confidence with him, as well. Ultimately, 'Flashdance' is about her finding a path to follow her dream AND live happily ever after with Nick - there is no more depth to this thing. Uncomplicated, cheesy melodrama + faerie tale plot + well shot, but overripe dance sequences + a hit soundtrack = 'Flashdance'. I guess the simple, straightforward narrative of someone forced into grueling day time work while trying to pursue their big dream appealed to the masses; and also Hollywood, since it mirrors actors/writers/directors trying to 'make it'.
Just like Saturday Night Fever did, and what Dirty Dancing would do in 1987, 'Flashdance' became a pop culture touchstone, what with its dancing, music, and even its fashion -- those off-the-shoulder looks. The Movie Musical in Hollywood was in a big lull, so this film snapped it back into gear. Jennifer Beals is attractive & charming in the role. I wouldn't say she exhibited great thespian skills, but she gets the job done. Funny enough, while I'm sure she COULD dance and she shows off some movies, much of her 'exotic dancing' was done by a double, Marine Jahan. Her co-star, Michael Nouri, comes off a bit better in the acting department.
So, yeah. 'Flashdance' made a huge impact on pop culture in 1983, despite not being a very good movie; the script was even nominated for a Razzie award. I mean, who hasn't seen the image of Beals dancing in strobe lighting, or loved listening to Giorgio Moroder's iconic rock music soundtrack? This film was nominated for several Academy Awards and, Moroder wound up winning for Best Song, 'Flashdance ... What a Feeling" which he shared with Irene Cara & Keith Forsey. The hit "Maniac" was also nominated. And "Gloria" made a big impression, too. As glitzy, up-tempo escapist entertainment, 'Flashdance' is merely adequate, but as a reflection of the times, the movie carved out an enduring niche and is impossible to dismiss as insignificant.
She gets support from a smattering of friends, as well as an elderly mentor (Lilia Skala). She even starts dating her supportive, divorced, Porsche-driving bar boss, Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri), but she lacks confidence with him, as well. Ultimately, 'Flashdance' is about her finding a path to follow her dream AND live happily ever after with Nick - there is no more depth to this thing. Uncomplicated, cheesy melodrama + faerie tale plot + well shot, but overripe dance sequences + a hit soundtrack = 'Flashdance'. I guess the simple, straightforward narrative of someone forced into grueling day time work while trying to pursue their big dream appealed to the masses; and also Hollywood, since it mirrors actors/writers/directors trying to 'make it'.
Just like Saturday Night Fever did, and what Dirty Dancing would do in 1987, 'Flashdance' became a pop culture touchstone, what with its dancing, music, and even its fashion -- those off-the-shoulder looks. The Movie Musical in Hollywood was in a big lull, so this film snapped it back into gear. Jennifer Beals is attractive & charming in the role. I wouldn't say she exhibited great thespian skills, but she gets the job done. Funny enough, while I'm sure she COULD dance and she shows off some movies, much of her 'exotic dancing' was done by a double, Marine Jahan. Her co-star, Michael Nouri, comes off a bit better in the acting department.
So, yeah. 'Flashdance' made a huge impact on pop culture in 1983, despite not being a very good movie; the script was even nominated for a Razzie award. I mean, who hasn't seen the image of Beals dancing in strobe lighting, or loved listening to Giorgio Moroder's iconic rock music soundtrack? This film was nominated for several Academy Awards and, Moroder wound up winning for Best Song, 'Flashdance ... What a Feeling" which he shared with Irene Cara & Keith Forsey. The hit "Maniac" was also nominated. And "Gloria" made a big impression, too. As glitzy, up-tempo escapist entertainment, 'Flashdance' is merely adequate, but as a reflection of the times, the movie carved out an enduring niche and is impossible to dismiss as insignificant.