An Officer and A Gentleman
I rediscovered this movie after about 20 years since my first viewing the USA. That was on a cold damp day in San Francisco with a mainly black audience. They went mental when Drill Sergeant Foley adjusted Zack’s (Richard Gere) manhood with a kick. I felt the pain.
For years I always saw this movie as a romance story with a happy ending. Viewing it recently I released it is much more gritty. It touches on some delicate issues. The story of Sid and Lynette is heart-wrenching. A small town girl seeking to trap her man with fake claims of pregnancy. Only to reject him when she discovers he’s not going to be a navy pilot. What a mercenary bitch. It does not end well for Sid.
The girls in the movie are seeking to have some fun and escape their humdrum existence. The undercurrent of resentment that permeates Paula’s life is because her Mum had an affair with an officer candidate. Paula is a product of that liaison. This adds tension. Her stepfather is less than impressed when Zack turns up. But Zack is no ordinary officer candidate. His past is also checkered.
The ending is happy. I defy you not to be elated.
For years I always saw this movie as a romance story with a happy ending. Viewing it recently I released it is much more gritty. It touches on some delicate issues. The story of Sid and Lynette is heart-wrenching. A small town girl seeking to trap her man with fake claims of pregnancy. Only to reject him when she discovers he’s not going to be a navy pilot. What a mercenary bitch. It does not end well for Sid.
The girls in the movie are seeking to have some fun and escape their humdrum existence. The undercurrent of resentment that permeates Paula’s life is because her Mum had an affair with an officer candidate. Paula is a product of that liaison. This adds tension. Her stepfather is less than impressed when Zack turns up. But Zack is no ordinary officer candidate. His past is also checkered.
The ending is happy. I defy you not to be elated.