Jumpin' Jack Flash

Plot synopsis:
Teresa "Terry" Doolittle (Whoopi Goldberg) transfers funds for the First National Bank in Manhattan, New York. She does not quite fit with the bank's corporate image, despite being a good employee and well-liked by her co-workers. She is often chastised by her no-nonsense boss James Page (Peter Michael Goetz).
Set against the backdrop of the pre-Glasnost Cold War, Terry receives the message, "Knock, Knock," and is contacted by a man calling himself "Jumpin' Jack Flash" who turns out to be a British Intelligence agent in Eastern Europe who is being pursued by the KGB. After being given a riddle for his password, Terry determines the password to be B-flat, after the key in which "Jumpin' Jack Flash" is supposedly written (as the actual song by the Rolling Stones is recorded in the key of B-flat). Jack sends her to the British Consulate to deliver the message "Dog's barking, can't fly without umbrella" to Department C. Despite feeling ludicrous, Terry delivers the message to Jeremy Talbot (John Wood) who is apparently puzzled and informs her there is no Department C. Jack then asks her to enter his apartment in New York to retrieve a frying pan, on which are Jack's CIA contacts to acquire a passport. Meanwhile, Marty Phillips (Stephen Collins) arrives at First National Bank as a new coworker and, unbeknownst to her, Terry is being watched.
A computer technician (Jim Belushi) shows up at the bank to repair her terminal, but when Terry calls Sperry Corporation to confirm his identity, the technician vanishes. As she enters the taxi upon leaving Jack's apartment, she is frightened to find him as the driver. His plan to abduct her fails when she knocks him out with the frying pan and flees the cab.
Using the contacts on the frying pan, Terry attempts unsuccessfully to contact Peter Caen, but does reach Mark Van Meter (Jeroen Krabbé), who meets her at the docks. After being stunned to realize Terry is a civilian and has no relationship at all with the intelligence community, Van Meter notices they are being watched and pushes Terry off the docks and into the East River to save her life, but is shot and killed himself. The police dismiss Terry's claim of the murder and Marty comes to the station and takes her home. After finding a listing in the local obituaries, Terry goes to Van Meter's funeral, where she meets Liz Carlson (Annie Potts), the wife of Harry Carlson, one of Jack's contacts and another of his contacts, Archer Lincoln (Roscoe Lee Browne). Terry tries to talk to Lincoln, but he leaves before she can. Liz invites Terry back to her home and gives her some information about Jack and her husband, who she assumes is still with Jack. When Terry tells him about her meeting with Liz and Lincoln later that night, they both deduce that Harry has been killed. Jack then tells her how to break into the British Consulate central computer. Conning her way in under the guise of an entertainer, she manages to enter the mainframe with help from Liz, who is also there, but Talbot finds and deactivates the computer link before Jack receives a contact. Terry quickly goes to Liz's house for help, only to find her and her children gone and the house deserted. As Terry leaves, she is approached by Archer Lincoln, who informs her that Liz and the children have been relocated and given new identities by the CIA. He then tells Terry to "get off the stage before she gets carried off". Going through one of Jack's romantic contacts, Sarah Billings (Sara Botsford), Terry is rebuffed and then captured by the KGB, who lock her in a phone booth and drag her around the city. After escaping when the booth is knocked over, Terry is injected with truth serum by the computer tech, this time posing as a police officer, but escapes after trapping his arm in a car window and rolling the car into traffic. In a drug-induced haze, Terry again locates Sarah and makes an impassioned plea for her help. Sarah tells Terry she would rather let Jack be killed than risk losing face. A disgusted Terry chastises Sarah for her indifference to Jack's plight and walks out. She then stumbles into work and, after embarrassing Mr. Page by yanking off his hairpiece in front of the entire office, passes out.
Terry awakens at home and is dropped in on by Sarah, who has had a change of heart and gives her a contact. After passing the contact to Jack, she is again captured by the KGB and learns that Talbot is a KGB mole and the contact he provided (via Sarah's husband, head of MI5) is a setup to kill Jack. After nearly being tortured with a reciprocating saw, Terry escapes and frightens the embassy receptionist into calling the police, who escort her away from Talbot. After realizing the police are unwilling to let her go to warn Jack and are arresting her, Terry blinds the driver and escapes from the crashed police cruiser. She rushes to the bank to warn Jack, but the KGB and Talbot are already there, masquerading as bankers. Terry is ordered to tell Jack nothing's wrong, but she tricks Talbot into sitting on a chair adjusted for a pregnant employee, causing him to fall over. One of Talbot's henchmen opens fire on the office with an Uzi, sending everyone diving for cover. Terry manages to type out her warning about the contact being a setup to Jack, but Talbot grabs her before she can send it and the two begin fighting. Talbot's other henchman, Carl, grabs Terry and is about to kill her when he is shot by Marty. After Marty shoots the gunman with the Uzi, Terry manages to bite Talbot's groin and send Jack the message as Talbot collapses, saving him. Marty then reveals to Terry that he is really Peter Caen, one of the CIA contacts on the frying pan, and gives Jack the correct contact to ensure his safe return.
That same evening, Terry arrives at the restaurant where she and Jack had planned to have dinner together, but she becomes despondent when Jack never shows up. As the restaurant is closing, Peter arrives and tells Terry that Jack isn't coming because of another engagement. Terry is crushed, but Peter comforts her, saying how much Jack wanted to see her. The next morning, Terry's co-workers are discussing the news that Mr. Paige is being promoted and transferred to Silver Springs and that she will be taking over his old position. Terry is still depressed about the night before, but receives a "Knock, Knock" message on her terminal from Jack. Terry berates him for not showing up, even as he tries to placate her with thanks from the Queen. When she slams her glasses down in frustration, Jack advises against it, and Terry realizes he can see her. When he reaches over her shoulder to type on her keyboard, Terry turns...and sees Jack (Jonathan Pryce) for the first time. He embraces her, thanking her personally for saving his life and offers to make it up to her by taking her out to dinner again. Terry introduces him to her co-workers, who all greet Jack warmly, including Mr. Page (now sans hairpiece), who now seems to have a newfound respect for Terry. The film ends with Terry and Jack leaving the office with the entire office applauding as they exit and the credits roll.

Tags: comedy, murder, violence, intrigue, cult, humor

Review:
Whoopi Goldberg plays the quirky and livewire Terri Doolitle a low level bank employee who gets involved in a dangerous spy game involving the CIA, British Secret Service and the KGB (made in the 80's the cold war was still in full swing).Contacted via her computer (the computer geeks out there will love seeing this earlier version of the internet) by a secret agent codename 'Jumping Jack Flash' (Jonathan Pryce) Terri must use her street smarts and attitude to save the day against rogue agents, KGB the police and while not being fired from her own job.The only drawback to this movie is it is quite profane those adverse to the occasional swear word should probably steer clear.
But fun for everyone else.7/10 - Good honest fun probably Whoopi Goldbergs funniest movie and certainly no Sister Act thank god!!!.
There are still some hilarious pieces, notably the comic tryings to decipher the lyrics to the film title song by famous Rolling Stones, when her dress get caught in a shredder, Whoopi singing at the British Embassy by impersonating Diane Ross and when she's dragged by a tow truck, among others.
"Jumpin' Jack Flash" is a very funny comedy-thriller starring comedienne and current "Hollywood Squares" star Whoopi Goldberg in the movie she made after her outstanding performance in "The Color Purple".
One of the best moments in the film is the one when the spy asks her to "sing with me and find the key", and she listens to the lyrics of the Mick Jagger song "Jumpin' Jack Flash" so she can find the word or words to crack the spy's code.
There's also the scene where, after almost getting killed, Goldberg confronts a police detective played by "Pretty Woman" and "Runaway Bride" director Garry Marshall (who oddly enough is the brother of the director of this film, former "Laverne & Shirley" star Penny Marshall making her directorial debut here).
And there are good supporting performances by Stephen Collins, Carol Kane, John Wood, Annie Potts, Roscoe Lee Browne, Jim Belushi, Jon Lovitz, and the late Phil Hartman.
The essence of a great film is that it makes us laugh each time we watch it and this film certainly fits this criteria .Whoopie Goldberg's star quality shines through as she carries scenes along mainly by herself as she supposedly communicates with an unseen man-in- trouble .The film has some superbly memorable lines and just fulfils our deepest wishes that one day we will be whisked into a glamorous world of intrigue and espionage.The end scene in the restaurant shows Whoopie's versatility and has us in tears for her.She does not need swearing though to carry her talents .
There aren't not that many female directors around and Penny Marshall is one of the few who scored some hits with her movies in the eighties ("She's having a baby", "The hard way") and of course "Jumpin' Jack Flash", one of those delicious comedies from the eighties that aren't dated, and that aren't silly.
Absolutely do not to try to understand the plot, there isn't one and if there should be some it has no meaning...it's just a CIA-agent who runs for the KGB, that's all but that's not the reason why you should watch this, it's just to see a fine comedy that stands for 90 minutes of entertainment..
I don't think there are any spoilers in revealing that Whoopi plays a computer genius who is contacted by a guy who needs her help (since it says so on the back of the DVD!).
And it's good to see Carol Kane and Stephen Collins, who both look about 12.There are some fabulous continuity errors as well for anyone looking for them - in the scene in the police station, not only does the blanket Whoopi's wearing change places from scene to scene, so does her collar.If you want a fun film that won't stretch your brain, this is well worth a look.
Ingmar Bergman it isn't, but it's a nice feel good movie for those times when you just want to sit down and turn your brain off it's great.
If you like Whoopie, you'll love this movie, full of fun and action.
Throughout she remains in contact with this unknown person, who needs Terry to help save his life.This is easily my favorite Whoopi Goldberg film, it has the best story that is very interesting and very well told by director Penny Marshall.
Whoopi Goldberg saves the day in this comedy, that is not brilliant (I've seen hundreds of better movies) but it pleases anyway.
Like they did with Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy before her, Hollywood took the broad outline of Whoopi Goldberg's stand-up persona and tried to craft a movie around it.
I do, so I'm not troubled that so much of the focus is on just one person for so long.There's the usual 80's stock plot about spies and secret dealings, but really that's just a front to see if Goldberg can establish a wacky character and manage to keep the audience interested in following her journey until the end of the film.
A good thriller, though, with interesting twists.If her language, and Goldberg's overall attitude, is not your liking, then pass this film up (and not all, but many others of hers) because this is typical of her humor and her profane mouth.
If only for the dress shredding scene, this has enough laughs to keep the plot spinning as WHOOPI GOLDBERG gets deeper and deeper into deep you know what trying to help some guy in Russia do his spy thing.It's all impossible, shows the technological gap existing between then and now with old computers, and all the while has Whoopi cutting loose as only she can.
The scene at the Embassy ball and the telephone scene with her being dragged through the city streets, are just two of the highlights in this comedy directed by Penny Marshall.STEPHEN COLLINS is totally wasted as the office worker replacement who lends some mild mannered assistance, as are JAMES BELUSHI and JONATHAN PRYCE in small parts, but since the film depends heavily on Whoopi for all the laughs, it doesn't matter much.
Here she plays Teri, DoLittle, a bank teller, who one day, starts receiving mysterious pleas for help from a British Intelligence going by the name Jumpin' Jack Flash, and asks her to help him get back home.This film was made in 1986, and a lot of the props, scenery, costumes and words are a bit old (particularly Teri's brightly-coloured shoes) and the computers have very little to them.However, what the film lacks in what is cool nowadays, it more than makes up for in comedy!
And mixed with elements of thrillers, mysteries and dramas, it all comes together nicely in this wicked film.There are a heap of favourite scenes - the tape deciphering one, the singing act, the police station scene and the truth serum part were so funny, I still laugh at it - and I've seen this film at least 30 times!!There are so many funny lines, I just had to put some in:"There's a dead man floatin' around in the river!...
Typical Goldberg fare in which she plays a banker who communicates with a "Secret Agent" with the code name Jumpin' Jack Flash while being pursued by a group of spies.
I had seen this movie at the supermarket and i was thinking of buying it, so i came home and asked my mum had seen it and she said yes and also said it was a good film i then bought a week later and had real good laugh.This has become one of my favourite comedy movies i watched it for days.
Whoopi Goldberg gives a hilarious and compelling, Goldberg plays a conspicuous computer operator at a bank she tries to blend in, although she is the type of character who cannot.The 1986 comedy which was Whoopi Golberg's claim to fame is about A computer operator at a bank is plunged into an exciting world of international intrigue, danger, surprise, fun and romance, when her terminal gets an S.O.S. from "Jumpin' Jack Flash," a British spy stranded in Eastern Europe.
Jon Lovitz and Jim Belushi co-star in this suspenseful, fast-paced and murderously funny comedy.Goldberg pulls off this character of a person who cannot find romance or a great deal of friends, but soon she will find romance and many more friends just as much as she finds danger and pleasure in this deep comical movie with a orthodox happy endingIt's not necessarily a fast paced murder blood and guts movie it is a fast paced movie of comedy, fun and thrill, i must say this film may not fit for everybody, but in my opinion i think it hasn't yet lost it's funniness and great story line an 8/10 an EXCELLENT film..
Whoopi Goldberg is contacted over a computer and finds herself helping a British spy in this comic action thriller that if it were a better film could have been a modern day "North by Northwest" or even a fun contemporary like "The Man with One Red Shoe," but instead it's a dull story that's only made watchable by a talented cast.
That cast includes Jonathan Pryce, Jon Lovitz, Phil Hartman, Michael McKean, Jim Belushi, Paxton Whitehead, Tracey Ullman, Garry Marshall, Carol Kane (looking the most normal and most conventionally attractive I've ever seen her), Annie Potts, Roscoe Lee Browne, Jeroen Krabbé, Jamey Sheridan, Stephen Collins, and John Wood (you know, Falken from 'WarGames").
This is a fast-paced and to-the-point crime comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg as banker Terry Doolittle who communicates with clients electronically on her computer throughout the world.
The suspense builds as an espionage case is revealed to be involved and culprits are after Terry.Goldberg delivers her unique brand of humor (especially liked the scene where her cocktail dress got caught in the shredder) and her fast-talking and no-nonsense attitude.
Carol Kane plays Terry's sassy and high-pitched voice co-worker Cynthia, and Annie Potts plays the mysterious Liz Carlson, who seems to be the only person Terry can trust in the espionage case.It's a somewhat classic-style spy genre film, which I thought could have used a bit more action and suspense.
The pre-internet online communications in "Jumpin' Jack Flash" might be the main thing that interests you, but you should watch the movie for much more than that.
Having established herself as a serious actress in "The Color Purple", Whoopi Goldberg plays a sassy bank employee who inadvertently gets herself involved in international espionage.The funniest scenes are when Goldberg gets herself worked up into a frenzy and starts verbally tearing people a new one.
It's just a funny movie, and I suspect that they had a lot of fun filming it.
However, the thing that makes this movie truly horrible is the mistake made by the director and producers in thinking that Whoopi Goldberg can be funny.
This movie did not get a single laugh out of me, and I'm still wondering whether the movie was even supposed to be funny.Don't see "Jumpin' Jack Flash"..
Whoopi tries hard, and there are lots of other great actors with small parts in the movie, but the script lets everyone down.
This is a comedy that is rarely funny, and it was certainly a mediocre way for Penny Marshall to start her film directing career..
Whoopi Goldberg was OK in "Ghost" (filmed years later) but here she begins to wear her at-the-time comedy routine very dry.Whoopi is a computer programmer who stumbles onto a very weak plot.
We'd also probably hang out at lunchtime together as well, because I just know we'd be good friends.In homage to this film I have decided to call my first-born child Whoopi after the talented Ms Goldberg.
Watching Jumping Jack Flash reminds me dearly about the eighties, and really this is the oldest film I've Whoopi Goldberg in other than Sister Act. I have to admit that I myself fit right along with Whoopi's character-Terry Dolittle.
I enjoyed this film when it was first released so on seeing the DVD in a charity shop it was an easy decision to part with a few coins, however age has not been kind to this movie.The sleeve describes the film as a suspenseful, fast-paced and murderously funny comedy.
The acting is wooden by all the players and particularly by Whoopi Goldberg.If you enjoyed this film first time round, keep it as a happy memory, don't revisit or like me you will be sorely disappointed and wonder why you wasted an evening..
Whoopi's character Terri Doolittle is a "talk to yourself" kind of person but that doesn't mean she's mental, it gives the film humour and outrageous behaviour when it comes to her stunts and assignments she needs to do, in order to save a British Intelligence agent who calls himself "Jumpin' Jack Flash".
Good one time watch movie with mix of comedy,action and mystery.
Poorly scripted film where heroine Whoopi Goldberg works diligently on her computer at a bank only to get involved with spies when her computer connects with them.Carol Kane is totally wasted in a small role as an office worker.
Single Terry Doolittle (Whoopi Goldberg) works for a Manhattan bank transferring money through a computer.
So it's unsurprising to find that Jumpin' Jack Flash is a bit muddled, not fully formed as it were.Plot finds Whoopi Goldberg as a computer programmer thrust into a world of espionage when a plea for help appears on her monitor.
It also feels like years since I last watched it and having spotted it on my Better Half's DVD collection, it also felt like the time was right to reacquaint myself with Whoopi Goldberg's electrifying comic debut.
Plus, I'd just worked a long night shift and was in the mood for something undemanding and this fit the bill perfectly.Whoopi plays Terry Dolittle, a computer worker in a New York bank who communicates with clients across the world.
Terry quickly finds herself up to her neck in international espionage and murky meetings at midnight in an effort to get Jack back, despite the efforts of the British Embassay and slimy diplomat Jeremy Talbott (John Wood).It's fair to be said that despite the obviously dated storyline and setting, Whoopi carries this film.
Only Whoopi develops a head of steam and is easily the best thing in "Jumpin' Jack Flash".In summary, this is a disappointing waste of a timeless lead performance from one of America's most under-rated comic performers.
It is Whoopi Goldberg's first comedy..and she does a good job.
Its more than just a gas gas gas, Whoopi Goldberg gives out, I think, one of her funniest roles of her carrer, in this Penny Marshall film ( her directorial debut as well).
This is a comedy, folks, not "Gone With the Wind."  As far as that goes, I think Whoopie's character in this film is more believable than any character played by Robin Williams in any movie.
It's not quite as great as Jumpin' Jack Flash, but it IS very funny.).
Let's see: Penny Marshall directs, Whoopi Goldberg debuts, there's SNL cast members, Tracey Ullman, Michael McKean....Sounds like a comedy.And it is, for the most part.
Well, that's Whoopi for you.Eight stars.Watch "Jumpin' Jack Flash" - it's a gas, gas, gas!.
When Whoopi Goldberg was making her comedies in the 80's, she was very good at it too.
Burglar was a funny film and so is Jumping Jack Flash.
Its nowhere near as bad as Theodore Rex. Now that was a turkey!After making her debut in The Colour Purple, Jumping Jack Flash was Whoopi Goldberg's first proper starring role, and a chance to flex her muscles as an actress.
All the while the situation gets more and more murkier, things go from one dangerous extreme to the next, and Terry and Jack's lives are both endangered.Although a lot of people have an astonishing hatred of this film, I can't say the same.
Whoopi Goldberg hits a lot of the right notes, and its also a film that was ahead of its time in addressing the E-Mail system.So give Jumping Jack Flash a chance.
If not for the film, than at least for the scene where Terry goes through the song for Jack's code-key.
***1/2 out of *****Plot:- Whoopi plays Bank Worker Terry Dolittle who while working on her (very dated-It is 1986!) Computer, gets a coded message from an unknown Source, after Decoding the Message, she starts chatting to a man called Jack (Johnathan Pryce) who turns out to be a British Intelligence Spy whose in great danger,Terry tries to help her new friend out - but by doing so puts her own life in danger and bad guy Jeremy Talbot (John Wood) is on her tail.Will Terry Survive?
This film, starring Whoopi Goldberg, is an absolute HOOT.
The whole spy plot, along with Goldberg's many quotables, plus a great supporting cast including Annie Potts, Stephen Collins, and John Wood, as well as many bit parts/cameos by the likes of Jim Belushi, Jon Lovitz, Jeroen Krabbe, Phil Hartman, Carole Kane, Michael McKean, Garry Marshall, Jonathan Hyde and Traci Ullmann, makes this film fun, and it never fails to get me laughing!
I'd say that Jack and Terri probably stayed good friends for a long time, if not for life.
Basically Goldberg is Terry Dolittle who works in a bank, and one day she receives a message from someone called Jumpin' Jack Flash, and as she gets to know him she discovers he is a spy working for the British Secret Service.
But, of course, this is the movies, and where would the fun be in that...Terry Doolittle (Whoopi Goldberg) is an energetic woman who has a boring job at a bank.
And then one day, she gets a message on her computer from someone who only identifies himself as Jumping Jack Flash (Jonathan Pryce, only seen at the tale end of the movie).