Who's That Girl? (1987)

23% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(8,204 ratings)

A year after appearing in the box-office sleeper Shanghai Surprise, pop superstar Madonna starred in the screwball comedy Who's That Girl? She plays Nikki Finn, who is being released from prison after serving a four-year sentence for a murder she didn't commit. Meanwhile, wealthy lawyer Loudon… More A year after appearing in the box-office sleeper Shanghai Surprise, pop superstar Madonna starred in the screwball comedy Who's That Girl? She plays Nikki Finn, who is being released from prison after serving a four-year sentence for a murder she didn't commit. Meanwhile, wealthy lawyer Loudon (Griffin Dunne) is about to get married that afternoon to the snobby Wendy (Haviland Morris), the daughter of Simon Worthington (John McMartin). Worthington does not approve of the wedding and he wants Nikki out of town as soon as possible, so he sends Loudon to collect Nikki and take her to the bus station. Instead, the flamboyant Nikki seeks her revenge while trying to find out what happened to her friend Johnny, which causes Loudon a lot of trouble. Naturally, wild action ensues -- some of it involving an escaped Cougar belonging to Loudon's boss, the millionaire animal collector Montgomery Bell (John Mills) -- and Loudon having to choose between the prim Wendy and the unpredictable Nikki. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: James Foley
Written By: Andrew Smith
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Feb 14, 2006
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
The storyline is simply bizarre, but somehow all the crazy elements fall together in one appealing madcap frolic in this 1987 Madonna vehicle that ends up being more than the sum of its parts.
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
This patently painful flick marks the first and last time that director James Foley would tackle comedy. And the reasons why are right up there on the screen.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...the best things about Who's That Girl are the opening titles because you don't yet know what you're in for, and the closing credits because the movie is over.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
There is nothing wrong with Who's That Girl that a different script, a different director, and a different star wouldn't have fixed.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Crap.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Zany 80s trash just barely saved by a cool cougar.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
just awful
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
At least Shanghai Surprise was nice to look at and had some George Harrison songs.
Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com
Abysmal
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of Madonna's shining moments in films

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Martin S

OK as a daytime family friendly movie. Nothing extraordinary about it. Madonna did a okay job. The story is about what you could expect out of it.
AJ V

This movie is fun but much too silly at times too. Madonna is okay, but an actress could have done a better job with this movie, I think. Anyway, this movie is a joy for any fan of hers. If you're not a big fan, it's just okay.
Lafe F

Madonna is naughty and fun as Nikki Finn. She's loveable, but a homewrecker as well. Often, her squealy voice will annoy. She's good to have around if thugs are pointing their guns at you. Great late-80's Madonna film. I loved the opening cartoon music video and wedding… More
Madonna is naughty and fun as Nikki Finn. She's loveable, but a homewrecker as well. Often, her squealy voice will annoy. She's good to have around if thugs are pointing their guns at you. Great late-80's Madonna film. I loved the opening cartoon music video and wedding disaster at the end.
Jani H

"Is it possible for you to be any dumber? - I don't see how." Wow. I just finished this movie for a couple of minutes ago and all I can say is wow. I remember this movie from way back and there was some things that I remembered well. A cougar and... Well, that's… More
"Is it possible for you to be any dumber? - I don't see how." Wow. I just finished this movie for a couple of minutes ago and all I can say is wow. I remember this movie from way back and there was some things that I remembered well. A cougar and... Well, that's about it. Madonna's star was on the rise in the beginning of the 80's. She had made some successful albums and it was obvious that she would also try to conquer the big screens. I remember that I had the "Like a Virgin" album, don't understand why but that's not the point here. Madonna had to be everywhere. 'Desperately Seeking Susan', 'Shanghai Surprise' and this one came fast to the cinemas for our pleasure or misfortune... Before I started to watch this, I was kinda eager about it. I had no negative thoughts, just prepared myself for a light comedy from the 80's. Now after the painful 90 minutes all I can say is what the fuck! The opening credits were pretty nice, with a Betty Boop type of animation that gave some background to the story. But 5 minutes in to the movie I was bewildered. How is this all possible? Unbeliavable and unfunny storytelling, irritating acting... Was this intended to be a screwball comedy or a light romcom? I don't know but my dog seemed to like it. I sometimes wonder what makes a dog focus on something that's on the TV. It has to be some kind of stimulus. Was it the cougar roar or the annoying voice of Madonna? 'Who's That Girl?' is a movie that can be enjoyed by; a) fans of Madonna and b) those who don't take films seriously. I think that this was an insult to filmmaking. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good comedy just as much as the next guy but this was just so stupid and annoying. I'd give it half a star but my dog insist that I have to give it a better rating...
jay n

Can you give negative stars? This movie deserves it.
xGary X

After the success of Desperately Seeking Susan (in which she basically played herself), Madonna decided she could act.This tacky and irritating screwball comedy was the first of the many cinematic debacles that resulted. In the words of another crap songstress turned… More
After the success of Desperately Seeking Susan (in which she basically played herself), Madonna decided she could act.This tacky and irritating screwball comedy was the first of the many cinematic debacles that resulted. In the words of another crap songstress turned "actor": "If I could turn back time..."
Leigh R

Come on... who can resist Madonna?
Leo L

Hilarious!
Sarah P

Madonna did a great job in this movie - for the silly movie it was, I enjoyed it!

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Madonna as Nikki Finn

            Griffin Dunne as Loudon Trott

            Haviland Morris as Wendy Worthington

            John McMartin as Simon Worthington

            Bibi Besch as Mrs. Worthington

            Robert Swan as Detective Bellson

            Drew Pillsbury as Detective Doyle

            John Mills as Montgomery Bell

            Coati Mundi as Raoul

            Dennis Burkley as Benny

            Lee Arenberg
            
            Karen Baldwin as Heather Wendy's Friend

            Gary Basaraba as Shipping Clerk

            Helen Lloyd Breed as Co-op Chairperson

            Roy Brocksmith as Crystal Salesman

            Andre Rosey Brown as Record Store Security Guard

            Dennis Brown as Harlem Kid

            Kimberlin Ann Brown as Rachel

            Susan Bugg as Law Secretary

            Cecile Callan as Sandy Wendy's Friend

            Crystal Carson as Denise Wendy's Friend

            Darwyn Carson as Prison Reception Guard

            Glen Chin as Bank Guard

            Robert Clotworthy as Lawyer

            Robert Cornthwaite as Minister

            Ellen Crawford as Tiffany Saleswoman

            Pamella D'Pella
            
            Dalton Dearborn as Co-op Member

            Jim Dietz as Buck

            Carmen Filpi as Street Bum

            Mary Gillis as Gown Woman

            Alvin Hammer as Cabbie

            Ted Hayden as Flatware Salesman

            Jinaki as Lady on Bus

            Lloyd Kino as Bank Officer

            Efrat Lavie as Entourage Saleswoman

            Faith Minton as Donovan

            Alice Nunn as Woman Parole Member

            Glenn Plummer as Harlem Kid #1

            Albert Popwell as Parole Chairman

            Brad Reardon as Record Store Cashier

            Bert Rosario as Greasy Guy

            Clive Rosengren as Bus Driver

            Lance Slaughter as Harlem Kid #2

            Mike Starr as Shipping Co-Worker

            Sean Gregory Sullivan as Gun Dealer

            Shari Summers as Nurse

            Gary Tacon as Rolls Royce Thief

            Ron Taylor as Dock Worker

            Stanley Tucci as Dock Worker

            Elaine Wilkes as Holly Wendy's Friend

            Marilyn Ammons as Prisoner

            Deryl Carroll as Florist

            Dwight Crawford as Bicycle Messenger

            Sanders Cupac as Motorcycle Cop

            Laura Drake as Shirley

            Meilani Figalan as Amazon Woman

            Scott Harms as Motorcycle Cop

            Michael Scott Henderson as Raoul's Driver

            Tony La Fortezza as Cabbie

            Lea Lashaway as Screaming Woman

            Christian Letelier as Motorcycle Cop

            Shelly Lipkin as Tiffany Salesman

            Patrick McCord as Traffic Cop

            Murray as Cougar

            Thomas Pinnock as Cabbie

            Robert Benjamin Pope as Street Bum

            Pat Romano as Rolls Royce Thief

            Liz Sheridan as Nurse

            Lexie Shine as Judy

            Robert E. Weil as Co-op Member

            Judy Kerr as Prison Officer

            Gerald Orange as Drunk in Harlem Hallway

            Beatrice Colen
            
            Kimberlin Brown
            
            Robert Swann
            
            Sir John Mills
            
            John Mc Martin
            
            Troy Winbush
            
See full cast

Trailers & Clips

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started