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An Officer and a Gentleman

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2:21

An Officer and a Gentleman

R

Released Jul 28, 1982

2h 5m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Zack Mayo (Richard Gere), a new member of the U.S. Navy, has a bad attitude. When he signs up for the Aviation Academy, he is met with the strict leadership of Sgt. Emil Foley (Louis Gossett Jr.), who gives Zack a rude awakening in terms of relating with other people. Through Foley's guidance -- and an unexpected romance with Paula (Debra Winger), an outsider who hangs around the naval base -- Zack learns some tough lessons and discovers what he truly wants out of life.

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Critics Consensus

Old-fashioned without sacrificing its characters to simplicity, An Officer and a Gentleman successfully walks the fine line between sweeping romance and melodrama.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

It is full of bang-on melodramatics and simple, romanticized characters with carefully supplied motivations.

Jul 31, 2013

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Taylor Hackford's 1982 film is an awesomely, stiflingly professional piece of work, with a fleet, superficial visual style, perfectly placed climaxes, and a screenplay that doesn't waste a single character or situation.

Jul 31, 2013

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Rarely does a film come along with so many finely-drawn characters to care about.

Jul 6, 2010

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A vastly entertaining picture.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

Zita Short

InSession Film

The whole film feels a little too loose and easy breezy. There is too little at stake here. The cheesy theme song and sweaty sex scene convince you that this is going to serve as a piece of fantasy fulfilment, but it forgets to set up meaningful stakes.

Feb 1, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The conclusion - as predictable as it may be - is quite winning and heartfelt, embracing the fairy-tale aura audiences will surely want.

Rated: 7/10

Jan 2, 2022

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Ben W

Pretty good movie. I see why it’s a classic. Not necessarily my favorite, but good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/10/24

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Audience Member

Only movie I saw which got a standing ovation at the end. Forty Five years later haven’t forgotten it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

Full Review

Blu B

A Classic Romance Melodrama. It starts out a bit slow and takes some time to get going but once the "I got no where else to go" scene occurs it really finds it's footing in the melodrama/romance and takes a step up the rest of the way. It's really well made all around. The naval academy stuff is a bit jumpy and setting up the romance is a bit clunky too. It becomes much more character driven and focused on Sid, Zack, Paula, and Lynnette instead of on the naval class. (Although there good too) It's got good direction and the setting is memorable and the two leads got solid chemistry that builds over time. We watch Zack become effectively the title of the film. It can be a bit over the top with it's drama and doesn't tell it in the smoothest way possible but it works and thanks to the solid execution works really well. Wish it was maybe a bit more sunny instead of grey a lot of times but it's a small complaint in the end. Garrett as the drill Sgt. is excellent and easily the best thing. His dedication, brutality, and rock solid honor is amazing. If your a fan of the director, any actors in this, melodramas, or romances than give this a watch. Maybe too if your a fan of Navy movies also but it really isn't a war movie like how the first half of Full Metal Jacket is.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/20/25

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Daniel N

Amazing old school 80's feel good movie. Still a fantastic watch today. Highly recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

Full Review

Richard W

One of my most favorite movies, a true classic in my eyes ,hard to not give it 5 stars ,where do you take away a star to make it 4 stars ,,where oh where i ask ,,impossible

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

Full Review

Lanfranco C

A sad movie with a sweet end

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/24

Full Review

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Taylor Hackford

Director

Richard Gere

Zack Mayo

Debra Winger

Paula Pokrifki

Louis Gossett Jr.

Gunnery Sgt. Emil Foley

David Keith

Sid Worley

Robert Loggia

Byron Mayo

An Officer and a Gentleman: Official Clip - I Got Nowhere Else to Go!

1:07

An Officer and a Gentleman: Official Clip - Carried Away

0:38

An Officer and a Gentleman: Official Clip - You Ready to Quit Now, Mayo?

2:12

An Officer and a Gentleman: Official Clip - Okie From Muskogee

0:50

An Officer and a Gentleman: Official Clip - Mayo-nnaise

1:08

An Officer and a Gentleman: Official Clip - Steers and Queers

0:55

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Synopsis

Zack Mayo (Richard Gere), a new member of the U.S. Navy, has a bad attitude. When he signs up for the Aviation Academy, he is met with the strict leadership of Sgt. Emil Foley (Louis Gossett Jr.), who gives Zack a rude awakening in terms of relating with other people. Through Foley's guidance -- and an unexpected romance with Paula (Debra Winger), an outsider who hangs around the naval base -- Zack learns some tough lessons and discovers what he truly wants out of life.

Director: Taylor Hackford
Producer: Martin Elfand
Screenwriter: Douglas Day Stewart
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 28, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 11, 2011
Runtime: 2h 5m

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