Review of Private School (1983) by Grayson W — 28 Aug 2015

This movie is so offensive. Even in the 80s, I don't get how date rape was considered funny. This is one of the most degrading movies towards women I think I've ever seen.

Now, it may seem strange that I criticize a movie for degrading women when I have given positive reviews for movies like Porky's and Reform School Girls, but this is a completely different kind of movie. Porky's had a bit more plot and juvenile character to it. Private School is all about getting girls naked as often as possible, including a shirtless horseback scene and girls getting naked just for guys peeping on them. The running time is all about girls doing things like aerobics, taking showers, or being groped by men.

There are plenty of movies like this, and that would be fine and dandy if not for the fact that this movie's plot and cover gives the idea that this is some sort of 80s romantic comedy in the vein of Can't Buy Me Love, Say Anything, or Sixteen Candles. It's not. This is sleaze. The plot involves a girl planning to lose her virginity to a guy for the first time, but there is a jealous housemate in the mix trying to steal her boyfriend. That is the plot for a movie meant to play to girls. But it isn't made like that. It's made more like a movie meant for a Roger Corman audience. I don't understand how guys can sit through a movie like this with such an eye rolling plot, and girls are certainly going to be put off by how offensive it is.

This movie had so many good things going for it: A great 80s cast, a classic 80s soundtrack, and a basic coming-of-age plot. Why it had to get so sleazy is beyond me.