Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Cynthia Rhodes

That Oscar-winning title song buzzes in your ears long after the movie has stopped. The attraction here is youthful spirit and a pulsating score, because the weak story is merely a conduit for the son...( read more  read more... )g-and-dance numbers. The plot is every young woman's daydream come true. Jennifer Beals holds down a macho job as a welder by day, but performs erotic dance numbers in a club at night. It's not a strip club, so her morality remains intact. She dates her wealthy boss (Michael Nouri) and practices hard for the day she can audition for the upscale, local dance school, even though she has no formal training. It is malarkey, of course, unless you view this as total romantic fantasy. It works because you are carried along by the sheer force of the energetic, boisterous, MTV-style imagery by director Adrian Lyne. Beals is a plus as the stubborn, pouty, somewhat eccentric young woman made all the more interesting for her driving ambition. In the end, she is aided by her Prince Charming, who arrives bearing favors. Mind you, this is not the same as a rescue, as Beals is one rather tough damsel who does just fine on her own. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Flixster Users

65% liked it

65,172 ratings

Critics

31% liked it

32 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Adrian Lyne

Release Date: January 1, 1983

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DVD Release Date: October 8, 2002

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Stats: 2,589 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,589)


  • November 4, 2009
    One of the classic 80's dance 'trilogy' but probably the worst of the three, the other two being Dirty Dancing and Footloose. Like the others this has a great soundtrack (with top main song) and some nice dancing sequences but unlike the other two it has dated badly and looks abi...( read more)t tacky nowadays.
    Beals is cute as punch all the way through, you just wanna hug her haha less said about the very obvious wigged dance double the better, whilst the rest of the cast are so so. The plot is really silly but obviously aimed at young girls and gives a nice message of dreams, spirit and to always try your best and don't give up :) happy stuff.
  • June 25, 2009
    I had remembered REALLY enjoying this as a teenager, so I thought I'd give it a re-watch (a la the DVR).
    I would have to say that in hindsight, the music and the amazingly cheesy 80's dance numbers that the girls at MAWBRY'S perform at various point's throughout the film are def...( read more)finately the "high points".
    Sure Jennifer Beals is adorable, but the scenes where her (be-wigged) "dance double" is dancing as her are just painfully obvious. Especially during the final "audition" routine.
    And sure Michael Nouri is handsome and charming as the older love interest. They never actually say how old he is supposed to be, but the difference is considerable. Given the fact that he is her boss and that they go out of their way to mention that Alex (Beals) is just 18...the whole relationship just never feels quite right.
    The writing is predictable and at times horribly trite. But I still find something likable about the film. I guess I'm a sucker for nostalgia?
  • April 4, 2009
    CLASSIC! 80s! bit boring @ some points...
  • January 6, 2009
    A "must-see" film in 1983. Unfortunately, it has not withstood the test of time.
  • November 8, 2008
    I usually like dance movies, but this one wasn't the best I've seen. The acting was pretty bad and a little much at times.
  • November 17, 2009
    Es una pelìcula genial ...
  • November 7, 2009
    la bande originale déchire!!!!l'histoire porteuse d'un message d'amour et d'espoir
    les chorégraphies sont superbes, c'était dommage d'apprendre que Jennifer Beals ait été doublée
  • November 3, 2009
    KOOL MOVIE!!!!

    "SHES A MANIAC, MANIAC ON THE FLOOR AND SHES DANCIN LIKE SHES NEVA DANCED BEFORE...SHES A MANIAC, MANIAC ON THE FLORE AND SHES DANCIN LIKE SHES NEVA DANCED BEFORE"



    BY THE WAY MISS BECS DANCE 2 MANIAC IS WAY WAY WAY BETTA THEN THE 1 IN THE MOVIE!!!
  • October 28, 2009
    Merci pour cette bonne musique.
    Bye
  • October 19, 2009
    I was amazed by all the talented dancers. This is the story about a girl who works as a welder during the day and dances at club during the night. She's passionate about dancing and practices dancing all the time. Then she applies for a upscale dance school, even though she has n...( read more)o dancing education. I thought this movie was charming and just like a typical 80's movie. The music was wonderful and the dance scenes were awesome. If you like chick flicks and dance movies you should watch this movie.

Critic Reviews


October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Jennifer Beals shouldn't feel bad. She is a natural talent, she is fresh and engaging here, and only needs to find an agent with a natural talent for turning down scripts. full review

View more Flashdance reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • TheMightyCelestial
    June 18, 2008
    Man, that Jennifer Beals.....What a feeling.
  • yoruichi52
    March 1, 2008
    I love this movie so much. The dancing, music and actors were amazing. I can watch this movie 100 times and still love it :)
  • mandola1
    June 13, 2007
    The dancing was wicked. I use to make believe i was Jennifer Beals when I was little.

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