Generation changer

Rating: 8/10 (25 July 2010)

As a movie Flash Dance was not a great film, but what this film did was appeal to the masses. When the movie came out in 1983 I was living in Pittsburgh, where the movie was filmed and based, and dating a ballerina, so the movie was near and dear to my heart. The plot was totally unbelievable, the sets were unrealistic and the people were too shallow, but still, our generation suspended reality and just enjoyed the movie.
Through the years I began understanding what an impact Flash Dance had on my generation, it especially hit home when I met my future wife in New York City and saw pictures of her and her sisters during that time period. Their hair was modeled after Jennifer Beals', their dress and many of the things they did developed from the movie. An entire generation of young women embraced the 'big, curly hair' look, the off the shoulder sweatshirt and tank-top look and wearing tights and ankle warmers, much to the enjoyment of the men around them. Jennifer Beals' big eyes, brilliant smile and joy of life became endearing qualities that only a lucky few women could properly emulate, I still enjoy that look today.
This is a wonderful movie where one should not criticize the fine technical details, instead the viewer should just sit back and enjoy a very nice feel-good movie.