Movie #22- "Flashdance" (1983)

Yes, I went there.  I think there are very few films that scream "Eighties!" louder than "Flashdance."  It's a 90 minute music video featuring a couple hit songs that helped set several fashion trends.  Then look at the people involved.  Not the actors, but rather those behind the scenes.  Jerry Bruckheimer.  Don Simpson.  Peter Guber.  Jon Peters.  Joe Eszterhas.  A list of insiders with a remarkable amount of credits for the films of the 80s and 90s.  But what about "Flashdance", the actual movie?
The plot seems to boil down to this; welder/dancer dates boss, she applies to ballet school, guy she dates surprisingly has ties, and he gets her an audition.  It waters down the message of following your dreams against the odds when you're sleeping with a guy that can help your career.  And the one character that strikes out on his own, fails (although he seems to only try for a few weeks).  In fact, when you really break down this film, a lot of it doesn't make much sense.  With the barrage of music and dancing, it doesn't need to make sense.  So many questions.  How does the bar/burger joint pay the dancers (the patrons never seem to tip them)?  Who's responsible for the props and professional lighting? Did she get accepted into the school?  And if so, will her dance doubles also get accepted?  I do have to credit them for casting Lee Ving, the lead singer of the punk band Fear, in the "bad guy" role.  Some iconic 80s scenes, yet kind of silly.

Rating: 5/10
Movies I've previously seen: 2
First time viewings: 20