Customer Reviews

Just One of the Guys

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

How does a gem like this go unnoticed for so long?-- Leonard Maltin is the only moive critic with the courage to look past the fact that this is a teen movie and actually give it a fair chance. I kind of wonder if the other film critics I have read even watched the movie, or just decided since it was a teen comedy and none of the "brat pack" was in it it must be bad.-- This film is funny, unique, intellegent, serious, challenging, and, okay, sexy too. But compare this film to more popular cult 80's movies like "Valley Girl." I enjoy "Valley Girl," but compared to "Just One of the Guys" "V. Girl" is an empty movie. Sure, it's basic premise is great, the Romeo and Juliet story, the untouchable valley girl who falls in love with the rebel city punk, but the execution of this story, the acting, the cinematography, are all very substandard. Compared to "Guys" which is well shot, well acted, and well written. How it has escaped cult status is beyond me.-- The themes in "Guys" are deep, heck, they're even literary. The psychology, the sexual identity crisis, homophobia, social ineptitude, popularity, sex, career prospects, the end of childhood, sexism, peer pressure, music, fashion, appearance, I mean, you could just go on and on. You could write a book on the many levels this film operates on. You could devote a masters thesis on the literary interpretations of everthing from the characters, to the dialogue, the situations, even the images and physical appearances.-- Am I reading too much into a fluffy 80's teen sex comedy? Well, okay, maybe I am. But that's the fun of this film, it operates on so many levels it's staggering.-- RENT IT! You won't be sorry.-- And as for JOYCE HYSER (are you out there JOYCE?) this woman should have been a major MAJOR star. Her acting ability is matched only by her beauty. I've seen some of her other movies (like "Wedding Band"), films that are not that great, but she shines in them, turning each scene into something beyond the limits of the film she's stuck in.-- In one scene in wedding band she is at a restaurant about to propose to her boyfriend, her co-star (whom I won't name) seems to be sitting there waiting for his paycheck, but Joyce pours herself into the scene to the point that not only do you feel for her character, you feel for Joyce herself.-- JOYCE, we love you! Please do more films, I'll see them all.

I'll skip the "over-the-top" superlatives of some of the other reviewers in this group, but "Just One of the Guys" is a fun, intelligent comedy with a host of well-drawn characters large and small. It follows the formula -- but it doesn't. Its comedy is three-dimensional. Although it has much to say about teen angst and growing up, it never takes itself too seriously, so we can laugh along the way. Even the class bully is handled with a sense of humor. You hate him, but that's okay because so does everyone else.
Is the movie dated? Yes, in many respects it represents its decade -- the 80s. But its humor and its message have not dimmed with the years. It's not just a kid's movie, either. I've watched it many times, and at well over 40, I'm no kid. As for Joyce Hyser, she carries the film with grace and humor and a range that would make most of the "big stars" of the movies today jealous (if they understood what she was doing). And -- as has been noted by another reviewer -- only Leonard Maltin among the "official" critics gives this movie a chance. I hope it comes out on DVD, and that it includes an interview with its star and some of the other principals. A real sleeper. Enjoy!!

A light pleasant comedy with great 80s fashion and music. Great one liners and a nice ending. Interesting to see Joyce Hyser who is so pretty be able to pull off being a guy. Buddy (her younger brother) is a riot and Terry meets lots of interesting classmates at her new school. William Zabka (Karate Kid, Back to School) plays the standard jock bully. Brings back memories of my days in high school when we didn't have to worry about going through gun detectors to go to school. Sadly this movie is often overlooked and can't be found on video for less than $80, but it does show up on cable a lot. I hope this comes out on DVD one day. This movie always puts me in a good mood!

I love 80's teen movies. They are my guilty pleasure, plus takes me back to a time when I was a teenager. 80's teen movies are the best because they were fun, goofy and funny, not the angry, brooding, violent teen junk of today. This is one of the best!

This is one of those "dumb" movies that I like a lot. The set up is totally unbelievable. What teenage girl could independently go "undercover" as a teenage male student in another High School for the sake of a school newspaper article? Well, of course, it can't be done. If our heroine truly were as vain as she appears to be, she would not wreck her good looks just for an award. Indeed, for most the response to being denied an award because of our sex is most likely indignation and outrage rather than concocting some outlandish plot to "show `em what I'm really made of".

All that being said, this is a delicious comedy. Those that complain that Joyce Heiser can't cut it as a "male" miss the point. If Heiser were any more convincing as a male half the humor would fall flat and we would run the risk of turning into just another piece of feminist party line storytelling.

Instead we find Heiser discovering that while she had been treated unfairly she was a frivolous person. The insight she gains in seeing the world from another viewpoint matures her and leads her to find love where she never would have looked. Moreover, while she triumphs and proves her point, Heiser comes to find out that she isn't the only one who can be hurt by other people. Her entire plot was cruel to the person she learned to care about most during her adventure.

But this analysis while true also misleads. The seriousness of Just One Of The Guys is vastly overwhelmed by the girl-in-disguise comedy this movie plays so well. The story does take place in the 1980's we have all come to hate so much; but the story excels over these trappings.

Joyce Hyser amply demonstrates her potential as a major comedy film star in "Just One of the Guys". Hyser, along with a superlative cast, accurately conveys the choices, opportunities, and consequences confronting teenagers in the last part of the twentieth century in America. Hyser's character, Terri, overcomes sexist stereotypes and emotional resistance to triumph in her chosen field, journalism. She repeatedly faces ethical dilemmas, developing and maturing during the process. Hyser is joined by a superlative cast. Her character's brother, Buddy, is a troubled and obsessive young man who learns through painful experience the value of love and caring. The part of Terri's boyfriend is also well cast. Terri's boyfriend is an emotional cipher, incapable of articulating or realizing true love.

All in all, an outstanding feature. END

I LOVE THIS FILM!!!!!!! I hope that its in widescreen, itd be nice to see it in its theatrical aspect ratio for the first time. If its fullscreen thats fine because it was shot open matte, as many 80s movies were filmed!!!! If u dont have this on DVD, then go and get it right away!!!!!!

This movie has not recieved the recognition it deserves. It is one of the funniest and most heart warming movies I have ever seen. I have already worn out one copy of this movie and I am about to have to buy another copy. If you like to watch light hearted comedy and laugh til you have tears running down your face, then this is the movie you need to get.

I'm no expert but I believe this movie was filmed in a soft matted widescreen format (right terminology?). Meaning, the director shot the film matted for wide screen while simultaneously filming in a 4:3 aspect ratio for television. So with the full frame release you see more above and below the wide screen format. It's quite obvious when you are aware of this technique but at least it's not a chopped up pan and scan version. I may be wrong but my eyes tell me I see more film not pan and scan (you'll notice ceiling shots, etc.)

Few more comments:

The video transfer is descent. IMHO, it's a definite upgrade from VHS. There's no trailer for the movie itself but for those interested, not including me, there's 3 trailers for the movies "Charlies Angels: Full throttle", "Mona Lisa Smile", and "What Ever it Takes". The main menu sports the front cover of the dvd keep case. The subtitle menu reveals buddy posing in a robe with a smoking pipe tucked in his boxers.

Last note:

If your a fan of the movie I wouldn't hesitate adding this dvd to your collection, otherwise, a rental should be considered at the most..

thanks,

I've always enjoyed watching this movie here and there. It's got a pretty good plot. The main character "Terry" does a pretty good job of playing the role of a male. Her brother is pretty hilarious. This is one of those movies that's always enjoyable to sit down and watch. One of the best of the '80s comedies.