She's Out of Control (1989)

6% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
46% of users liked it
(6,353 ratings)

Director Stan Dragoti, whose forte is plumbing the depths of the male psyche, plumbs those depths once again in She's Out of Control. Tony Danza stars as Doug Simpson, a broadcasting executive who has trouble adjusting to the fact that his fifteen-year-old daughter Katie (Ami Dolenz) is blossoming… More Director Stan Dragoti, whose forte is plumbing the depths of the male psyche, plumbs those depths once again in She's Out of Control. Tony Danza stars as Doug Simpson, a broadcasting executive who has trouble adjusting to the fact that his fifteen-year-old daughter Katie (Ami Dolenz) is blossoming into a sexual being. This realization kicks in after his fiancee Janet (Catherine Hicks) takes Katie for a makeover; suddenly she appears before Doug looking like a sultry super model. Now Doug is unable to look at his daughter as anything other than as a sexy chick, and he spends his time fending off packs of horny suitors while dictating morality to Katie. It finally gets to the point where Doug consults with television psychiatrist Dr. Fishbinder (Wallace Shawn), who recommends that Doug read a book he has written for single fathers, advising him, "If you're a slow reader, you better put your daughter on the pill." ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Stan Dragoti
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 14, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Apr 13, 2004
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Despite some funny scenes, the sitcomish treatment of a father's anxiety over his teenage daughter's budding sexuality is mostly shallow and uneven.
Caryn James, New York Times
It is an extended version of familiar, bland sitcom situations.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
She's Out of Control is simultaneously so bizarre and so banal that it's a first: the first movie fabricated entirely from sitcom cliches and plastic lifestyles, without reference to any known plane of reality.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
It's an irksome, one-dimensional sitcom with smut.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
As dated as an '80s music video...
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This leads to all manner of trivial, pseudo-comic shenanigans, but not to any insight, comic or otherwise, into the emotional realities of father-daughter relationships.
Wally Hammond, Time Out
Dragoti's dire, dishonest, seldom humorous social comedy has all the nauseating hallmarks of a big-budget sitcom.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
One of the very worst films of 1989.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Leering and tacky, yet annoyingly chaste at the same time. Should have remained the TV-movie it was meant to be.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
If we were judging the film on Ms Dolenz's beauty, this would be a winner.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
This is the kind of film that makes me wish we could simply erase the 1980's.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
She's Out of Control is predictable, silly and contrived, all of which could be forgiven if it were funny enough. It's not.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

Cute 80's film. Rated it half a star higher than it actually deserves because the 80's were my era and I always enjoy a flashback! Tony Danza is a bit over the top as the protective father, but the girls are both good and there's even a small role for Matthew Perry… More
Cute 80's film. Rated it half a star higher than it actually deserves because the 80's were my era and I always enjoy a flashback! Tony Danza is a bit over the top as the protective father, but the girls are both good and there's even a small role for Matthew Perry here. Just a nice little movie with a few laughs. May be a bit dated for today's teens, though.

Cast

            Tony Danza as Doug Simpson

            Catherine Hicks as Janet Pearson

            Ami Dolenz as Katie Simpson

            Wallace Shawn as Dr. Fishbinder

            Dick O'Neill as Mr. Pearson

            Laura Mooney as Bonnie Simpson

            Derek McGrath as Jeff

            Dana Ashbrook as Joey

            Matthew Perry as Timothy

            Michael Alaimo as Baggage Handler

            Marcie Barkin as Doug's Secretary

            Diana Barrows as Lisa

            Michael Bower as Kid at Beach

            Kerry Brennan as Dancer

            Todd Bridges as Water Man

            Robert Casper as Maitre'd

            Megan Gallivan as Dancer

            Marc Gilpin as Parking Attendant

            Todd Jenkins as Dancer

            Peter Linari as Security Guard

            Matt McKenzie as Airport Security Officer

            Bess Meyer as Cheryl

            Kate Murtagh as Chaperone

            Jim Raposa as Dancer

            Philip Arthur Ross as Date

            Steven Robert Ross as Date

            Gary Schwartz as Optometrist

            Scooter Stevens as Bonnie's Date

            Eric Walker as Volleyball Player

            Terry Wills as Flight Captain

            Lance Wilson-White as Richard

            Aurorah Allain as Dancer

            Robbie Rist as Corvette Kid's Friend

            Dustin Diamond as Kid on the Beach

            Kevin O'Keefe as Beach Boy

            Jan Bina as Harpist

            Mitch Braiman as Joey's Friend

            Suzy Cote as Dancer

            John Hendrickson as Beach Boy

            Kenneth Hoyt as Disheveled Kid

            Brad Kester as Andy

            Mina Kolb as Mrs. Pearson

            Jim Ladd as Voice of KHEY-FM 97.5

            Rusdi Lane as Doctor

            Tony Max as Patient

            Jeff Maynard as Boy Friend

            Scott Morris as Corvette Kid

            Oliver Muirhead as Nigel

            Ron Pace as Security Officer

            Ria Pavia as Robin

            Michael Shepard as Dr. Feldman

            Laura Summer as Receptionist

            Brad Tanner as Boy Friend No. 2

            Dylan Tucker as Tommy

            Joshua Waggoner as 12 yr. Old Kid

            Thomas R. Zak as Lifeguard

            Susan Isaacs as Receptionist
See full cast