reflected an era

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2004)

I grew up listening to this film's soundtrack and observing pictures from the movie. Later, when my parents let me see it, it did not live up to the expectations my childish imagination had set. Twenty five years later, I realize that the music and some of the dancing is what salvages this somewhat dumb scenario. The film is a compact package of images and archetypes of a certain US culture (50s mixed with some 60s and 70s in them). Cars, leather jackets, american sports, american fast food restaurants, american high schools, competitiveness... He/she who has more of all this is the winner. Typical of this agenda is when Sandy sings near the end "Look at me I'm Sandra-dee" as a mourning of an identity she has to give up. She will be rewarded when she uglyfies herself proving that she is capable in conforming. Danny also has to prove himself. One wonders what could had happened had they had not done otherwise! Like in most simplistic movies, there are good and bad guys and complicated teenage situations such as pregnancy are dealt with superficially simplistic solutions. Not to be taken seriously. 6/10 for its musical aspects and for my admiration to Olivia Newton John.