Girls Just Want To Have Fun – DVD Review

Janey Glenn (Sarah Jessica Parker) is the new girl in town. She’s shy and quiet and loves to dance. Luckily she meets loud and spunky Lynne Stone (Helen Hunt). They are brought together by their love of dance, particularly Dance TV. When Lynne suggests they try out for the show Janey is hesitant because she knows her militant father won’t let her.

But you know, even if you haven’t seen this film, that she goes to the tryouts anyway. And you can probably guess that she becomes a finalist and she meets the boy of her dreams and they start training together all while trying not to let her militant father find out and fighting back against the spoiled rich girl who is constantly trying to sabotage their efforts.

It’s a very clichéd predictable film, but that doesn’t stop it from being fun. It’s a cheesy ’80s sort of fun that some people will scoff at. But they’re probably partial to watching old Bergman films, and Girls Just Want To Have Fun wasn’t made for them anyway.

Beyond the good times in this film is, it’s also interesting to see Park and Hunt at such a young age. There is an innocence to their performances despite the fact that they were both actually in their 20’s when they made the film and they’re supposed to be high school kids. You know what’s going to happen but you don’t care. Also, a very young Shannen Doherty is rather amusing.

This film is by no means for everyone. You must have a love of all things 80’s, like He-Man lunch boxes, and of coarse dancing; there is lots of dancing. If these things appeal to you then you will most likely enjoy Girls Just Want To Have Fun.

The film is presented in both widescreen 1.85:1 and full screen and Dolby Digital 5.1 stereo surround. The film looks pretty good. Can’t complain about anything here.

Trailers

Cheesy ’80s fun and it’s most dancingist. (Yes, I realize that’s not a word but it sounds good so I’m running with it.) Perhaps not the best dance movie to come out of the eighties, but it makes for a fun 90 minutes. Sadly there are no special features.

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Anchor Bay presents Girls Just Want To Have Fun. Directed by Alan Metter. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, Shannen Doherty. Written by Amy Spies. Running time: 87 minutes. Rated PG-13. Originally released in 1985. Released on DVD: April 29, 2008. Available at Amazon.com.