Customer Reviews

Flashdance (Region 2)

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

You just keep waiting for that Oscar-winning title song to come around again; it's gotta be the most joyful, uplifting, foot-stompin', head and hip swinging tune ever written for a movie. Jennifer Beals works as a welder by day, but does sexy dancing in a club at night, practicing constantly for a chance to audition for the formal dance school, tho she'd never had formal training and feels inferior to the others in the audition lines.
As reality, it won't float. But as an energetic and boisterous vehicle for a sweet story and some of the best music and dancing ever seen on screen, it's a five-star winner.

Of the top five or so movies that have had the greatest impression on me, no movie had the personal impact as did "Flashdance." I was going through, what I like to call, a "character building" period in my life after having moved to California a little less than a year before this movie came out. Long story short: no job, no car, no money when a friend of mine called and said he wanted me to go see "Flashdance," with him- his treat. After a little coercing, I gave in.

Yes, the movie has a typical or predictable plot, but I would not call it weak because of the actors and the memorable characters they created. The viewer is bonded to the characters in this movie- one cares what happens to them. The cinematography in this movie is great, especially the opening credit scenes of Pittsburgh as Alex is riding her bike to work. No, this movie doesn't have "5-star" acting... I think that would have ruined this whole movie. It has, what I would call, "real-life" acting: not that polished and maybe stumbles a bit here and there. It gives this movie its strength, not a weakness.

Not only are the musical scenes great, the background musical interludes chosen also help set the feeling in many of the scenes... "Lady, Lady, Lady," sung by Joe Esposito playing during a tender romantic scene between Alex and her boss, and- my favorite- "I'll Be Here Where The Heart Is," sung by Kim Carnes played during one of Alex's low-points in the film.

The highlight of the film is its finale when Alex is auditioning in front of the Pittsburgh Dance and Conservatory Company's selection committee. I would call it one of the greatest movie moments of all time. I stepped out of the theatre feeling I was walking three feet above the ground back to the car. I have never left another movie sensing that level of enthusiasm, exhilaration, and energy. I made myself a promise at that moment that things would get better... and they did too... in ways I never could have imagined at the time. Thank you, Jennifer Beals, for the motivation and inspiration you gave me at that time in my life!

This was one of the most influential movies of the '80's. The DVD picture is clearer and the sound incredible compared to my ol' VHS tape. GREAT movie! If you haven't seen it, buy it and see what positive effect it has on you!

Words can't describe how much I love this film. This was the film that made me want to become a dancer. I love the opening dance scene and I've always wanted to re-create it. Jennifer Beals is a great actress and it's hard to believe that she was only 18 years old when this film was made. Michael Nouri is great as well. This film also has an incredible soundtrack and the title song is one of my favorites. The story is one that any dancer can relate to. Before I go to an audition I always try to watch the end scene in this film or listen to the song "What a Feeling." I absolutely adore this film and I hope that many young dancers will enjoy it too.

I have been waiting forever for this movie to come out on DVD. I have to respectfully disgagree with those who say Jennifer Beals isn't a good actress. See her in the movie "Four Rooms" if you don't believe me. She was really good in this movie, and it's a shame she didn't become a bigger star because of this. There was urban legend maybe that Madonna was up for this role. I love the Material Girl, but I can't imagine her in this role at all. Jennifer was an excellent choice. I'm still not happy with the ending, and I'm still a bit confused as to who exactly Hannah was to Alex. I wish they would have explored their relationship a bit more.

My question for anyone who has seen this on DVD is this. There are some scenes missing. The first scene, and I remember this, is the scene where she goes to the dog Grunt, (not Brute as I previously wrote) "Grunt, you're getting fat. You're going to need to work out" or something to that effect. The scene where Alex and Jeanie are watching the breakdancers is also shorter than I remember. Is this a case, as with Fast Times at Ridgemont High where you got one version on TV and one on video or DVD. I never had a chance to see it in the theaters, as I was about 3 or so when the actual movie was released. I'm just confused here.

Other than that, I'm glad this was finally put on DVD, although I'm also a little bit disapointed by the lack of extras and the possible editing. Not even a trailer for the movie was included. Hopefully another version will be released sometime in the future.

I remember when a group of friends went to see this film.... our lives changes (musicaly speaking)... Please realise it in DVD format! (excuse my english...I dont speak english everyday)

As a little kid, I was inspired by this movie. It has music and funk. To sum it up in one word--GREAT! Any dancer would enjoy this film. It shows that she had to work hard and get up the courage to go to the audition. I don't think that I could've went! A lot of people drag about it's plot. I don't think that the plot is that important. Only guys want a good plot so they can follow the movie! But for real, watch the movie and see for yourself.

Please release this as a DVD. This is such a GREAT movie! It deserves it!

This movie has some good music and dancing, in a sappy plot. But the music and dancing are not integral to the plot development; they do not carry the film in the way dancing carries "Dirty Dancing" or "The Turning Point" (both of which have better dancing, by the way.)

But it's one of my favorite movies. Why? The director, Adrian Lyne, got his experience directing TV commercials, where the entire message has to be conveyed in 60 seconds, and in Flashdance every moment is contributing something. The key is the cinematography. Leonard Maltin calls Lyne a "visual stylist", and he is, but he's more. He takes Roman Polanski's cinematographic innovations and pushes them to new limits; the camera tells the story.

When you watch "Flashdance", watch how light and camera angle are used. Light: Pittsburgh light, hazy, smoky, dull, reflecting off puddles, blazing from lamps, dim, bright, strobe, whatever; lighting carries the mood of each scene. As for camera angle, in most movies we are observers, outside the movie, watching the actors. In some of "Flashdance" that is also true, but then in many places the camera angle shifts so we are inside the movie, seeing what one of the actors, or several of the actors, see at that moment. It just pulls you in. If you're not familiar with the film, the first time you watch it wait for the final "audition" scene, and watch how the camera is first an observer, before the dancer enters the audition room, then sees from the dancer's view as the audition begins, and then shifts to show us what the judges see, as the dancing becomes compelling. I don't know about you, but this grabs me and pulls me in; I could watch that scene five times running. And there are many other scenes in which camera angle is used similarly but not quite as obviously. I give this movie four stars; I would give it five if the music and dancing were as well integrated with the plot as in some other movies.

Simply the best movie of our generation! When was the last time a movie inspired you to not only realize your dream, but tap your feet until you do so?
Did "Gladiator", "Saving Private Ryan", or "Castaway" motivate you enough to at least THINK of what it takes to realize a dream?
No? Then "Flashdance" should do the trick. If not, then you must lead a pretty fulfilled life!
"Flashdance" may at first look like a softcore porn set to music, but look--listen--deeper; you might find a little inspiration, if not through the movie itself then definetly through its music.

Okay, I've read some of the negative reviews on Flashdance, and all I can say is they make me feel sick! "Flashdance" is a cultural icon that started so much that we commonly see today in film. I was 2 years old when this movie came out...My mother took me to see it, for reasons that are unknown. However, since that day back in 1983, this movie has been a part of my life in every way. Jennifer Beals is an angel that is extremely under-appreciated. I am an avid collector of Flashdance memoribilia, which most people find odd for a 21 year old guy. But Hey! It touched me in a weird way, and it really affected me with its serious and powerful meaning. "Take your passion and make it happen" Is there a better phrase for inspirational motivation? No, I dont think so!