Review of Working Girl (1988) by Stephen M — 21 Mar 2008

For my money, this is one of the great movies of the 80s. It says a lot about the times, the business world, the New York society, the way women were treated (and the way they acted) during this era and what it took (and still takes) to get ahead.

Once again, Mike Nichols proves what it is that makes him the genius that he is, directing Melanie Griffith to what is probably her best performance ever but also giving Harrison Ford one of his more quietly strong performances and Sigourney Weaver a wonderful sophisticated comic opportunity here. These three beautiful actors (and YES, Melanie Griffith is a good actor - stop laughing) have distinct characters and each one is fully fleshed out and entertaining, totally honest in every scene. Perhaps a bit over the top, but acceptably so because she is a comic genius in almost everything, is Joan Cusack. Delightful in all their scenes are Phil Bosco and Nora Dunn. Alec Baldwin's character is nasty, nasty, nasty; but he delivers the goods and he looks good naked (look for David Duchovny doing extra work in the surprise birthday party in the bathroom - and Ricki Lake in the wedding reception scene).

Among my favourite parts of this movie:

The New York scenery! Oh Yeah.

Carly Simon's score (and Oscar winning song).

The scene at the end with Amu Aquino. That's the real deal.

It's a movie that both my mom and I watch when we are feeling down. It always gives out the message that, whatever the adversity, we can do it. We can make it happen.