Working Girl
|
Our Price: $9.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.43 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Working Girl
Movie Review: Melanie Griffith In Her Shining Moment
Summary: 5 Stars
"Working Girl", starring Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Sigourney Weaver, and others, is truly a top ten film of 1988. It received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, winning one. This charming plot follows Tess (Griffith), a secretary with an ambition to reach the top, struggling to be heard. Through an unpleasant boss (Weaver) and other idea stealers, she must let nothing stop her. Meanwhile, her struggle only grows stronger as time passes. Slowly, she begins realizing her true self and her romantic feelings for the most unlikely man (Ford).
Through these events, the humor and the dramatic action maintain their potential strength. Each element features itself well in the perfect scenes, offering great viewing variety. Director Mike Nichols leads the cast and crew to give this wonderful storyline the great recognition it deserves. The most unlikely overall theme fits one another greatly. Most other films that attempt similar ideas don't succeed, which started becoming increasingly common in the 1980's. Few other films make such minor issues blend so well like "Working Girl".
Portions of this film feature great music mostly written by legendary artist Carly Simon ("You're So Vain", 1971) that gives this a great extention. This film opens and closes with the perfect song, the Oscar winning (Best Original Song) "Let the River Run". Like this one, all tracks from her were written and performed beautifully. All prove her level of musical greatness and influence.
Beyond the brilliant storyline of "Working Girl" notes the charming and enjoyable performances from the cast, especially Griffith, Ford, Weaver, Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack. This film displays Griffith at her career best in her Oscar-nominated performance (Best Actress). She features all sides of her character very well, maintaining the nice, yet ambitious personality. Weaver proves that she's more than the science fiction prodigy Lt. Ripley ("Alien" trilogy). Her Golden Globe winning and Oscar-nominated performance (Best Supporting Actress) proves that 1988 was her big year in cinema. The character's witty and unpleasant personality expresses itself wonderfully. Viewers should watch for minor roles from Kevin Spacey, Oliver Platt, David Duchovny and Ricki Lake before they became household names.
"Working Girl" makes a great viewing classic for those wanting great laughs. This is sure to continue pleasing audiences as it has since its theatrical release.
Movie Review: Oh, to be 30 again!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first saw this movie, I was about 25 years old, and when I heard that the two women characters were both 30, I thought to myself, "How old!" Ahem. Now being a few years past 30 myself, I'm thinking, "wow, Sigourney Weaver had gotten so far so young!" Shows you what 15 years'll do for ya.Just saw it for only the second time the other night at the New-York Historical Society, tie in to their "Women in Business" exhibit with a gaggle of girlfriends. I was a little antsy, because I was afraid maybe it wasn't going to be as good as I recalled. But thanks be, it was! And the girlfriends all loved it, too, except that Lorraine wondered why it was her coworker's favorite movie. I can't answer that, but it's a great ride notwithstanding.
Melanie Griffith turns in her best performance as our Working Girl, an extremely competent would-be businesswoman. Trouble is, with her big hair, jingle jangle bangles, and questionable wardrobe, she's having a hard time being taken seriously. Finally, she gets assigned as secretary to a female boss, Sigourney Weaver, who epitomizes class and breezy elegance. Melanie thinks she's found her mentor at long last, only to discover, while running errands for the hospitalized Weaver, that the lady boss has stolen her Big Idea. Then she finds her boyfriend in bed with another woman. All this pushes her over into making a wild reach for the brass ring by stealing the clothes and business contacts of the absent Weaver and hacking off that head of hair to steal back her own idea and make it work. Along the way, she attracts the attentions of banker Harrison Ford and together they scramble to pull off the deal, Ford not in on her true identity as a mere secretary.
The only thing that's a bit much in the movie is too much gratuitous Merry Widow lingerie, but small complaint for a really fun, really good movie. Although there's the usual "oh no!" kind of climax, rest assured that the righteous come out on top after all.
"Working Girl" still works, after all these years. Check it out!
Movie Review: Still Charming and Great Fun...
Summary: 5 Stars
It's a sad fact of life that many beloved films don't age well; what seemed funny in the 80s can seem trite and contrived two decades later. Mike Nichols' "Working Girl", thankfully, is NOT in that category...it is as bright, witty, and endearing today as it was when 'big hair' was in fashion, and the World Trade Center was the pinnacle of the New York City skyline.
The continuing appeal is due, in no small part, to the exceptional cast. Melanie Griffith, whose acting skills had been buried in minor 'nymphet' roles for a decade, seized the chance to finally display them, as a beautiful blue collar worker with the talent and drive to be much more. Signorney Weaver, equally good, has a field day as the manipulative, spoiled, 'silver spoon'-fed executive who arrogantly walks over everyone around her, making Griffith's decision to take advantage of an accident seem entirely justified. As the object of both women's desire, Harrison Ford, despite top billing, is really a supporting player to his two co-stars, but he fills the bill with a sweetness and charm that he seldom got to display in the Han Solo/Indiana Jones days. With the three leads in top form, and Mike Nichols at his most audience-friendly, the film had all the elements for an enduring classic.
If you haven't seen "Working Girl" lately, check it out again, not only for the leads, but as an opportunity to enjoy Joan Cusack's "Way-80s" take as Griffith's best friend, a young, slim Alec Baldwin as the less-than-faithful boyfriend (TRIVIA: Tom Clancy's first two 'Jack Ryan' actors, Baldwin and Ford, appear in this film), and watch for small but memorable performances by Oliver Platt and Kevin Spacey (who NEVER seems to age!) And enjoy Carly Simon's Oscar-winning anthem, "Let the River Run", as rousing as the film, itself.
This is a 'Cinderella' tale that doesn't lose it's charm!
Movie Review: Working Girl: Melanie Griffith
Summary: 5 Stars
"Even if you're the best, if people don't give you the chance, you're nothing." That's basically the life of the main character. She can't make her dreams happen because nobody would give her a chance.
Even though Melanie Griffith is only third-billed, she was the true star of the movie. In her career making performance, she is as charming and perfect for the part today as she was almost 20 years ago. I hope Melanie Griffith will find a role as great as this one in the near future since for the last few years, that one great role has eluded her.
The movie follows the potential rise of a competent and ambitious but "never taken seriously" secretary in the corporate ladder. The turning point for Tess Mcgill (Griffith) was when she discovered that her boss (Weaver) was about to steal her "big idea" and when she caught her boyfriend (Baldwin) in bed with another woman. She schemed her way in order to pitch the idea herself when her boss was away hospitalized due to a skiing accident.
Strong performances from the supporting cast especially Joan Cusack ("Sometimes I sing and dance around the house in my underwear. Doesn't make me Madonna. Never will"). Great shots of New York City, and an uplifting soundtrack. They all contribute to the success of the movie.
Oh and the ending was perfect. I don't want to spoil it for you but I just can't stop smiling after seeing this movie. I just hope a special edition DVD will be released soon. The movie deserves a lot more extras (how great it would be to have a Griffith and Nichols commentary) than what the current DVD offers.
Grade: A
Movie Review: Great Movie On A Barebones DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
It may be dated in spots, but I dare you to sit through the magnificent helicopter shot of the New York Skyline and Staten Island Ferry during the opening credits, with Carly Simon's award-winning theme playing on the soundtrack, without a big, goofy grin on your face.
And it only gets better from there.
Melanie Griffith has had a mixed bag of performances, career-wise, but she's perfect as Tess McGill, a tough, but smart secretary with big hair, determined to make it in the big city. Harrison Ford turns in one of his best leading man performances (compare this to the excerable Sabrina), and of course, Signourney Weaver's devilish character steals the movie away from both of them, despite Joan Cusak's admirable attempt to do the same.
In certain ways, the plot plays like a time capsule from the 80s, but the presentation and performances, and the sharply written script, keep it fresh and interesting, one of the best romantic comedies out there. It keeps itself from being dated by refusing to talk down to its audience, and it one of those great movies that always makes a welcome appearance on my TV on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Highly recommended.
Shame on Fox for skimpy on the DVD extras, but the film itself is worth the purchase price.