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Flashdance

Play trailer 1:34 Poster for Flashdance R Released Apr 15, 1983 1h 35m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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37% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) is a beautiful young woman who works a day job in a steel mill and dances in a bar at night. When Alex discovers that her handsome boss, Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri), is both interested in her and supportive of her performing career, she renews her efforts to get accepted into a prestigious dance conservatory. Although Alex is frightened of failure, she is cheered on by Nick, as well as by her mentor, former ballet performer Hanna Long (Lilia Skala).
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Flashdance

Flashdance

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Critics Consensus

All style and very little substance, Flashdance boasts eye-catching dance sequences -- and benefits from an appealing performance from Jennifer Beals -- but its narrative is flat-footed.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Corliss TIME Magazine Unlike its grittily romantic predecessors, Flashdance is pure glitz. Mar 25, 2013 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Virtually plotless, exceedingly thin on characterization and sociologically laughable, pic at least lives up to its title by offering an anthology of extraordinarily flashy dance numbers. May 23, 2008 Full Review Trevor Johnston Time Out Depressing to think that this was a huge hit on the back of the Irene Cara hit single, since there's absolutely nothing to it. Jan 26, 2006 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy There's quite an impressive list of achievements for a film best described as, well, dopey. Rated: 2/4 Apr 16, 2023 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Jennifer Beals can dance like a maniac under an electrifying soundtrack, but I have the impression that her role is not enough to invigorate a narrative that stumbles too much between the camp and the videoclip routine. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 5/10 Jun 19, 2022 Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn The fact that this was considered a "hit" boggles my mind. I did not enjoy this. The 80's was a wild time. Rated: 1/5 Mar 31, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Fabrícia F A vontade de vencer através da dança leva uma jovem bailarina a percorrer o caminho mais difícil para chegar longe e conquistar uma chance. E nessa jornada, ela tem os cinéfilos como torcida garantida. Absolutamente incrível e cheio de ritmo. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Nicholas W Fun 80s feel good movie. Strong vibes, great shots. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Carlos I Some movies have a legacy for reasons beyond me. While the dancing in this and soundtrack is great (and I guess that's all that really matters) the rest is corny and melodramatic. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/15/24 Full Review Arby W Forty years later, good or bad doesn’t even apply. You watch this like you go see the Mona Lisa…not because you like it or not, but because of its place in history! THIS was the milestone movie where critics rightly pointed out that it was the first movie length “music video” ala the brand-new cultural phenomenon, MTV. It is hard to see things thru the eyes of another era but this is worth the effort. MTV was so new and huge that motels added to their “Air Conditioned Rooms” signs the phrase “Free MTV”. A flashy (pun intended) new visual style was being pioneered by a new generation of music video directors. Just like John Williams who composed every movie sound track ever (ok exaggeration) cut his teeth writing themes for 60s TV shows, directors like David Fincher went from winning best music video awards on to a lifetime of directing big movies starting with Alien3, Seven, Fight Club, etc, etc. So, was this movie the harbinger of the downfall of Hollywood or not? At the time, people didn’t care since the eye-candy of this new style for the new BIG EIGHTIES decade was enough. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/15/24 Full Review Jon A Movie is so ass, no real couple is that happy fake movie , just makes your wife question your love because your not waiting for her with her stolen dog and huge bow while she "stuns" the judges with energy only true love can give. If you want a divorce see this movie together Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/24 Full Review Karen S Sixteen when I first saw this. Loved the music and didn't think much of the story. Viewing it recently, I considered more of the story and would say while disjointed, I enjoyed the dichotomy of vulnerability and independence in Jennifer Beals' performance, and imagined middle and high school girls seeing it today. Downright trashy in some aspects, but overall a nice example of a young woman's pursuit of her dream despite the odds. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Flashdance

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Cast & Crew

Flashdance

Flashdance: Official Clip - Alex Doesn't Want Nick's Help Flashdance: Official Clip - Alex Doesn't Want Nick's Help 0:44 Flashdance: Official Clip - Who's the Blonde? Flashdance: Official Clip - Who's the Blonde? 1:41 Flashdance: Official Clip - You're Scared Flashdance: Official Clip - You're Scared 1:17 Flashdance: Official Clip - Alex Gets Comfortable Flashdance: Official Clip - Alex Gets Comfortable 1:44 Flashdance: Official Clip - Nick Gets Turned Down Flashdance: Official Clip - Nick Gets Turned Down 0:42 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) is a beautiful young woman who works a day job in a steel mill and dances in a bar at night. When Alex discovers that her handsome boss, Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri), is both interested in her and supportive of her performing career, she renews her efforts to get accepted into a prestigious dance conservatory. Although Alex is frightened of failure, she is cheered on by Nick, as well as by her mentor, former ballet performer Hanna Long (Lilia Skala).
Director
Adrian Lyne
Producer
Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter
Thomas Hedley Jr., Joe Eszterhas
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 15, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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