Smooth Talk (1985)
Movie Info
Cast
as Connie
as Arnold Friend
as Katherine
as June
as Harry
as Jill
as Laura
as Ellie
as Mall Boy
as Jeff
as Eddie
as Pickup Driver
as Stan
as Laura's Mother
as Bobby King
as Mall Boy
as Mall Boy
as Mall Boy
as Mall Creep
as Mall Creep
as Saleslady
as Laura's Dad
as Leroy
as Beach Boy
as Beach Boy
as Eddie's Friend
as Laura
Critic Reviews for Smooth Talk
All Critics (9) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (2) | DVD (2)
The movie is almost uncanny in its self-assurance, in the way it knows that the first hour, where 'nothing' happens, is necessary if the payoff is to be tragic, instead of merely sensational.
Plays uncomfortably like two movies jammed into one.
Disregard the incoherent ending, which violates the source material (Joyce Carol Oates story): in her debut, Chopra has made a disturbing tale of sexual awakening set against the 1980s new context of shopping malls; Laura Dern is extraordinary as the lead
Despite the less-than-riveting vibe, it's impossible to deny Dern's amazing performance.
Offers ample and telling observations on adolescence, mother-daughter relationships, familial tensions, and the erotic yearnings of youth.
An unheralded gem of a motion picture, and one of the more vibrant and authentic depictions of teenage life in memory.
Audience Reviews for Smooth Talk
I was expecting this to be a fun 80's teen movie, so I got a bit of a shock by the turn it actually took. One of the most chilling and believable films I have seen about being a teenager. The silly girls in this really rang true to some of the girls I grew up with in the 80's and I was really impressed with Laura Dern. I wonder why it wasn't more well known, I had actually never heard of this until recently, and I love 80's films, particularly the teen variety. I don't remember anything about this from when I was growing up. Perhaps it was more popular over in the US. Well worth a look for anyone who likes this genre, who, like me, may have missed out on it first time around.
Super Reviewer
The main thing that even made this movie watchable is that Laura Dern was sexy.
Super Reviewer
Smooth Talk Quotes
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