Review of Flashdance (1983) by Jack W — 21 Feb 2010
With the advent of the high concept film in the late 70's early 80's films such as Flashdance emerged as powerhouses. The film has a very weak narrative, is excessively stylized, is basically a series of rock videos, has nothing but over the top acting and a GREAT soundtrack.
Yet if you look underneath all this there are qualities to the film. If you look at it in relation to roles of gender and issues of class and social mobility then the film starts to redeem itself. Roles of gender are examined and looked at in a non traditional way yet ultimately any examination fails due to Alex capitulating her beliefs.
The film also examines a struggle for social mobility in almost all of its characters. Watching the credits of crew for the film is amazing to see what the people that worked on this film went on to accomplish.
Of course with this film they all proved they were viable entities in a postmodern Hollywood. Finally, Jennifer Beals just exudes sexuality. Seriously how did she not become a bigger star?
This review of Flashdance (1983) was written by Jack W on 21 Feb 2010.
Flashdance has generally received mixed reviews.
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