The dance version of "Rocky"

Rating: 7/10 (4 June 2015)

Released in 1983, "Flashdance" is a drama/music/romance film starring Jennifer Beals as, Alex Owens, an 18 year-old welder in Pittsburgh who dreams of being a professional dancer and longs to be accepted into a prestigious school. She dances at a nightclub in her spare time, which is contrasted by the strip club across the street, owned by a sleazebag who tries to lure the respectable dancers into his seedy lair (Lee Ving). One of her friends aspires to be a figure skater (Sunny Johnson) and another friend a stand-up comedian (Kyle T. Heffner). Meanwhile her tall, dark and handsome boss takes a liking to her (Michael Nouri).
This is an entertaining dance flick with the requisite early 80's soundtrack. All the dance sequences were performed by the uncredited French dancer Marine Jahan, who later sued the producers for not crediting her (the brief break-dancing scene was done by a dude). While the wide-eyed Beals and Jahan are in top shape and comely enough, I favor Sunny (the skater).
I was impressed by the quality characterizations for a relatively short sports movie. I call it a "sports movie" because that's essentially what it is – "Rocky" with a female protagonist and dancing instead of boxing. I also like the Pittsburgh locations. Despite my positive feelings, the less-popular "Heavenly Bodies," which came out 9½ months later and stars cutie Cynthia Dale, is superior IMHO.
The film runs 95 minutes and was shot in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.
GRADE: B