We have been taught from a very young age that we should always try to achieve our highest goals in our life, but that is not easy to do most of the time. In the 1983 iconic film Flashdance we see Alex (played by Jennifer Beals) taking every step she is capable to be able to do what she really wants with her life. We see Alex working a day time job in welding, a night time job doing exotic dancing for a small maybe even sleazy little club and we see her spending hours an hours of her free time practicing her dancing. She says in the movie that she does not think she will ever be able to achieve her goal of ballet dancing because she has never actually taken any dance classes. However Tom Pollard states “The film is fun to watch, and the music and dancing keep you focused. The story was weak when the movie first came out, and it seems weaker today.” Pollard is not the only one who believed that this movie fell far short of what it could have. Roger Ebert claimed that Flashdance was more of a collaboration of multiple movies and shows just thrown together with no real meaning. “Flashdance” is like a movie that won a free 90-minute shopping spree in the Hollywood supermarket. The director (Adrian Lynn, of the much better “Foxes“) and his collaborators race crazily down the aisles, grabbing a piece of “Saturday Night Fever,” a slice of “Urban Cowboy,” a quart of “Marty” and a 2-pound box of “Archie Bunker’s Place.” The result is great sound and Flashdance, signifying nothing.”
Maybe they are correct, maybe this song and dance has been played and then over played. we see the same scene in so many other movies; Footloose, Maid in Manhattan, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. it seems that through the times we have seen the same show, a hard working man or woman that is in a position in life that they are not happy with, they then meet someone that is not in their sociology or economic standing, they fall in love, fight over money because the upper class person does something to offend the lower class one with only the best intentions of making their lives better together, they both see that each other meant only the best, they kiss and make up and they live happily ever after. The scene has been played, and over played. As such to have a movie that is truly remarkable along these plot lines we need to see something so very new. Something so fresh and something that can not be said to have been seen over and over. Does that mean though that Flashdance was any less amazing?
I think that it is less the movie being amazing and more about what has been able to come from the movie that makes it a more appealing watch for me. This movie has put into production several Broadway plays that Howard Shapiro sums up with “So even for a musical, “Flashdance” is far from logical. Still, it has characters we can identify with, the kind of underdog story we seem never to tire of, extremely high production values and – best of all for a tale of a dancer with aspirations – honkin’ dancing.” He as well states “It still contains all the songs that became hits from the 1983 movie, itself a dark-horse success story. The show has a more complex plot than the movie.” I hope that at some point i will be able to watch this Broadway play as well, I really enjoyed the movie and I believe that it really shows the worst possible situations people can be in to try and better their lives, by working 2 jobs that most people would believe are not right for a woman to do, welding is typically a “man’s job” and erotic dancing is looked at as if the people that do it are shameful and should not be kept in “good company, Alex is seen as an “undesirable” because of her jobs however, each job makes it possible for her practice her dancing and to prepare for the audition that she sets up so that she can go to school for dance and make her dreams come true. for this reasin i believe that Flashdance goes further in line with real life and the things that “normal people” need to do every day to even get the smallest shot at their dreams. i believe that this movie is a perfect example of reaching for what you want in life and making it happen in your own way and in your own time. 
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/flashdance-1983?fbclid=IwAR2ujC1xMRvf_y-ni1403kLJA8vK6oD-OmC5pvB3teZfXHybgEPwPCxOEpA
Hey,
Like you, I think the plot of the film is a bit cliche. A lot of youth movies are this routine, such as High School Musical. I think the highlight of this film lies in his shooting, and I recommend it because its lighting and photography are very exquisite, not so novel, but absolutely in line with the traditional aesthetic view, each frame can be cut down to become an excellent photographic work. Photographic composition is impeccable. And the scenery is mostly close-range close-up, especially close-up. Should it belong to the director’s style? The close-up combination of large sections has strong impact and appeal. The pictures you chose are beautiful scenes in the movie, and I like them very much.
Hey Sonja,
Great piece! I enjoyed it a lot. I have seen this movie in bits and parts and agree with you, it is a sort of tired theme, however, the emotional side of it is really engaging and I have enjoyed what I have seen so far from this movie. I hope to watch the film in its entirety soon.
I know we have to say that we liked something about the writing, but I would have said this anyway: your description of Adrian Lynn rushing through the supermarket picking up typical movies was spot on and pretty funny to think about. I am always trying to incorporate more creative writing and you’ve inspired me!
Best regards,
Joei