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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.
All Critics (40) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (26) | DVD (8)
Unlike its grittily romantic predecessors, Flashdance is pure glitz. Mar 25, 2013 | Full Review…
Unlike its grittily romantic predecessors, Flashdance is pure glitz.
Richard Corliss
Flashdance might be considered one of the first signs of Hollywood's Apocalypse. Apr 30, 2009 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Flashdance might be considered one of the first signs of Hollywood's Apocalypse.
James Berardinelli
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…
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.
Variety Staff
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…
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.
Trevor Johnston
Jennifer Beals shouldn't feel bad. She is a natural talent, she is fresh and engaging here, and only needs to find an agent with a natural talent for turning down scripts. Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…
Jennifer Beals shouldn't feel bad. She is a natural talent, she is fresh and engaging here, and only needs to find an agent with a natural talent for turning down scripts.
Roger Ebert
The story doesn't help Miss Beals either, because she's at her least convincing when having to register any emotion other than rapture. Aug 30, 2004 | Rating: 2/5
The story doesn't help Miss Beals either, because she's at her least convincing when having to register any emotion other than rapture.
Janet Maslin
The working-class ambitions in Flashdance are not about grace but fame. Sep 6, 2018 | Full Review…
The working-class ambitions in Flashdance are not about grace but fame.
Charles Mudede
Director Adrian Lyne caught the post-disco visual mood of the time to win over even the most cynical viewer. Aug 11, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Director Adrian Lyne caught the post-disco visual mood of the time to win over even the most cynical viewer.
Alan Jones
This spirited rock musical about a young factory worker go-go dancer in Pittsburgh who aspires to be a ballerina is the best kind of adolescent fantasy: colorful, involving and full of leaping, prancing energy. Aug 11, 2014 | Full Review…
This spirited rock musical about a young factory worker go-go dancer in Pittsburgh who aspires to be a ballerina is the best kind of adolescent fantasy: colorful, involving and full of leaping, prancing energy.
People Staff
It's the electrifying body-doubled dance numbers that really stick. Mar 25, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
It's the electrifying body-doubled dance numbers that really stick.
Punchy, cleverly stylized, but utterly empty. Mar 25, 2013 | Full Review…
Punchy, cleverly stylized, but utterly empty.
David Sterritt
Cinderella tale with sex, Spandex, and '80s pop. Dec 15, 2010 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Cinderella tale with sex, Spandex, and '80s pop.
Charles Cassady
Beals has talent and charisma but she cannot save a paper-thin plot (full of unnecessary scenes and secondary characters) that is only an excuse for a long series of music video scenes, and the upbeat last dance scene is only there to leave us with a satisfied heart.
Super Reviewer
Montages! A soundtrack! A vague semblance of a plot! Yuck. So many movies have done the "working class kid has one dream and does everything for it" story better (Rocky, Billy Elliott, Rudy, even Saturday Night Fever...). Shows a flash (ha) of promise in its third act, but overall a randomly assembled compilation of music videos might appear to tell a more fulfilling story... not plausible, and doesn't allow you suspend your disbelief. A product of Reagan Era myth-making that should be forgotten long before it will be.
Really is light on plot, but couldn't hate it. Cute 80's movie. Most of the dancing is cheesy, but some is interesting. Ending is cute. Extra star for the dog!
Take your passion... And make it happen! Good movie! Flashdance is one of those must see movies if you wanna see the important films of the 80's. I just wanted to see what this movie was about since it's such a huge part of film culture. Jennifer Beals actually did a great job as Alex, she was absolutely beautiful and made the character very likable. While this film did not live up to my expectations, it still was a good film. It has an awesome sound track and really is a lot of fun to dance too. If you love the 80's movies and music you gotta see this one! Alex Owens is a female dynamo: steel worker by day, exotic dancer by night. Her dream is to get into a real dance company, though, and with encouragement from her boss/boyfriend, she may get her chance. The city of Pittsburgh co-stars. What a feeling!
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