Flashdance (1983)

When Flashdance first came out nearly 35 years ago this year, it became a surprise hit at the box office during an era when MTV was dominating young people's minds and the top film at the box office was a return of a Jedi, complete with Ewoks. It's still popular to this day thanks to countless tv airings, and the music video style editing that was a hallmark of the movie. That, and the soundtrack, which parts of it are on spotify. Jennifer Beals plays a small down girl working at a steel factory in Pittsburgh when she gets the job as a dancer. She then falls in love with the guy of his dreams while facing personal issues. Anyone who has seen the popular Peanuts cartoon "Flashbeagle" will see where it came from.

What makes a good film for me is that it is enjoyable, entertaining, gripping, likable and emotional. Flashdance without a doubt ticks all these five boxes. Flahdance is a very retro, cheesy entertaining film that is at no point boring and never drags, and is also a very clear symbol of the great 1980's and the night club exotic dancing scene of the time. Jennifer Beals puts down an amazing performance, as a dancer and as an actress. I guess the story comes down to the fact that reality bites, that life is tough, but if you push hard you just might make it.All in all, Flashdance despite its few undeniable faults is a very decent and enjoyable film in my opinion. As it mostly meets all of my requirements I am happy to give it a positive review. This film is one of the quintessential 80's films, that works well as a symbolic artifact of its time. I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves 80's.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

Astronaut John Glenn once said (about seeing earth from outer space) "To look out at this kind of creation and not believe in God is to me impossible". I bring this up because I more or less said the same thing when Jennifer Beals first lifted up her welding mask in 'Flashdance'. Wow. But she's more than a pretty face. The material may only be thimble deep, but Beals brings just the right mix of energy, grit and old fashioned spunk to the part and instantly gets us on her side. That she was only 18 at the time is mind boggling. No, it's not her dancing, and this is painfully obvious on a large HD TV, but she does just fine with the dramatic heavy lifting, such as it is.Born out of the BIG Bang that was MTV, 'Flashdance' became a phenomenon in 1983. Marrying the visual style of the former with an old fashioned underdog tale in the spirit of Rocky, it captured people's imagination and remains a well loved guilty pleasure for many. So much so that it recently inspired a musical in the UK that has since traveled the U.S. as well.It does one no good to hold the film up to any sort of deep scrutiny. Just put on your legwarmers and go with the beat. What a feeling.

Jennifer Beals kicks up her heals high, or as high as possible, in this slice of life from 1980s Manhattan, and the blue collar dreamers, incl., comfortable construction workers (Beal) who struggle to make in on Broadway.She jumps into the sack on the first (Or second, I don't remember) date, with her Boss, who is about 14 years older than she. Sexy scene. I am assuming she was playing an 18 year old character (she looks about 16) because she works on a construction site.Making great money, in a "non traditional job" (expression then for women working in a profession dominated by men), will not satisfy her soul! Her boss/lover/svengali has connections. Will he use them to help her? See the movie.And enjoy esp. the performances of Ron Karabatsos, a Union City Policeman, turned actor, here as a Club owner; and Phil Bruns, of the old Jackie Gleason Show (American Scene Magazine) and too many movies and sitcoms, to list here. Note a short cameo by Anne Meara, wife of Seinfeld actor, Jerry Stiller.THis movie made we wanna break out my VHS tapes of MTV!