User reviews

As a movie, Girls Just Want to Have Fun is simple and cheesy. As an 80s time capsule full of nostalgia, it's highly entertaining. Maybe it's because I watched this movie a lot as a kid, but I couldn't stop grinning the whole time. I loved the music, I laughed at the jokes and I wanted a friend like Lynne. This isn't a great film, but it's not supposed to be. It's just supposed to be fun.

Janey Glenn (Sarah Jessica Parker) is a teenager newcomer in Chicago, who loves the TV show Dancing in TV. In the Catholic school, she becomes friend of Lynne Stone (Helen Hunt), who also loves to dance and invites her to an audition to be part of the show. However, her tough father, who raises Janey in a military environment, does not accept her participation in the audition, and she has lots of trouble to escape for the competition. The rich Natalie Sands (Holly Gagnier) tries to use the influence and power of her wealthy father to win the competition. This silly movie is crowded of teenager starlets. It is funny to see names such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, Jonathan Silverman, Shannen Doherty, in the beginning of their careers, playing very goofy and foolish roles. However, the story is nice, there are good songs from the 80´s and in the end, it is an attractive and forgettable entertainment. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): `Dançando na TV' (`Dancing in TV')

If you didn't first see this movie between the ages of 8 and 15, you probably won't experience the same joy and nostalgia as those of us lucky enough to have seen it in those golden years of our lives.

Today I found out that two girls in my office also love this movie, and it was like finding two kindred spirits. My sister and I used to watch this movie over and over again on cable. Yes, it's predictable and cheesy, but that's what's so fun about it! And was 80s pop culture (cheeseball pop music, teased hair, Velcro, loud clothes and dance TV programs--think "Solid Gold") ever so well documented on film?

Yes, you can watch Helen Hunt in her Oscar-winning performance in "As Good As it Gets"...but wouldn't you rather watch her become "Miss D-TV"?

Ah, the memories...

I remember seeing this film in the cinemas when I was 10 years old. At the end of the film all the audience clapped and cheered, I had never seen that phenomenon before and have not experienced it since. The film may be slightly predictable, but it is a must see for any pre-teen or teenage girl. Before my after school dance lessons me and my friends would always watch this film to put us in a dancing mood. Just like Top Gun encouraged people to be pilots, Girls Just Want to have Fun makes you want to dance, or be a dancer. Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt are terrific in their roles, a sign of things to come perhaps? While lee Montgomery was ever so cute!. I have to say though my favorite scene(s) are the "I Can Fly" routine, the audition process and the dance off at the end. In summary this film may be lightweight but it sure is a lot of fun-even almost 15 years later.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt and Shannen Doherty headline this movie about a schoolgirl's dream to dance on the TV show Dance TV. A goofy teen comedy that while I didn't laugh, isn't all that bad. Parker is the new girl at the private girlschool who is instantly befriended by Helen Hunt and together they set off on a series of scams designed to get Parker a chance to win a spot on Dance TV as a new regular. Doherty is the 12 year old sister of the guy that Parker ends up matched with for the final contest. It's a 80's teen comedy, an acting workshop it's not, and while there is really nothing overly wrong with the film, it's not like you have to run out and see it either.

A Catholic school girl (Sarah Jessica Parker) hooks up with a cool guy from public school (Lee Montgomery) to enter a TV dance competition in Chicago. Helen Hunt plays her best friend while Holly Gagnier is on hand as her spoiled nemesis. A 13 year-old Shannen Doherty appears as the guy's little sister.

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (1985) mixes the 80's teen/school genre with the 80's dance genre in the mold of "Footloose" (1984), just not as heavy with the anti-legalism theme. It's a fun, energetic flick like "Heavenly Bodies" (1984), but more teen-oriented.

Although those two movies are better, "Girls" is a good movie for when you're in the mood for a lighthearted fun 80's flick. Sarah was 19 years-old during shooting and never looked better; same thing with Holly Gagnier (Natalie), except she was 26 at the time. It's interesting to see Doherty when she was so young and innocent. I shouldn't fail to mention Charene Cathleen in a bit part as Patty.

On the masculine front, Montgomery is effective as the "hip" male protagonist, coming off as a mid-80's version of the The Fonz. It's a wonder his career never took off. If you like him, be sure to catch him in his final movie, 1988's "Into the Fire," aka "The Legend of Wolf Lodge," where he plays the same type of character as in "Girls," except that it's an adult-oriented tragedy.

Interestingly, the producers didn't use Cyndi Lauper's version of the title song for licensing reasons. Yet the cover version is acceptable.

Bottom line, if you're in the mood for a flick in the mold of "Heavenly Bodies," "Footloose," "Teenage Dream" (1986), "Flashdance" (1983) and "Tuff Turf" (1985) this one fills the bill.

The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles & Culver City (the mall), with some exteriors done in Chicago.

GRADE: B.

I loved this movie - I've seen it probably a hundred times. Besides the all-star cast of Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, Shannen Doherty and Jonathan Silverman - it's just a fun movie! The dancing is good - the music is fun! I just love it!!!

Jane (Sarah Jessica Parker) is the daughter of a stern Air Force officer. They have moved around so much that she has gone to at least a dozen different schools. However, the family has just settled in Chicago, with an intention to stay awhile. This is good news for Janie, for she dearly loves a national television show that is shot in Chicago, Dance TV and she hopes to catch a live viewing. After Janie makes her first close friend at school, Lynn (Helen Hunt), they both discover that Dance TV is looking for a new dance couple to be featured on the show and that the executives are holding a tryout very shortly. Lynn encourages Janie to audition, even though it will mean cutting a few classes and sneaking out to practice, as Jane's father must not know about it. Making it to the finals, Janie is paired with handsome Jeff (Lee Montgomery) and they begin to rehearse every night. But, will Janie's father find out? And, can they really win the darn thing when another contestant, rich and spoiled, is trying to get her father to rig the event? This is a cute movie with a big heart. Parker, in one of her first major roles, is enchanting as the strong-willed but soft-hearted Janie, who doesn't wait for boys to kiss her, she kisses them first! Hunt provides great support, as does Montgomery, Shannen Doherty (very young), and especially Jonathan Silverman as a money-scheming friend of Jeff's. Yes, the film looks a bit dated, with its 80's costumes and pedestrian camera work. But, the dance scenes are quite energetic while gal-themed movies with good values and strong-female roles are always welcome for young viewers everywhere. If you and your daughters want to share an upbeat, follow-your-heart movie, with humor and sweetness, this is a wonderful choice. All who do will just have fun, indeed.

Janey Glenn (Sarah Jessica Parker) is new at her Catholic girls school. She's happy to be in Chicago near her favorite show Dance TV. She's a good girl struggling under her controlling Army father. She is befriended by worldly Lynne Stone (Helen Hunt) who shares her love of Dance TV. The girls, ruthless little rich girl Natalie Sands, Jeff Malene with his comedic friend Drew (Jonathan Silverman) and little sister Maggie Malene (Shannen Doherty), and many others audition for the show.

This is so very cheesy. One can have a great grilled cheese sandwich party with this movie. It has no reality. It tries to be a light fun affair. Cyndi Lauper does have a cameo. It's a silly teen movie with a few familiar faces when they were younger. It has some fun value in the right mindset.

This is "hands down" one of the best cheesy teen movies to come out of the 80's. Watching Sarah Jessica Parker dance alongside Lee Montgomery just gives me flashbacks of the days when I dreamed of being a "Solid Gold" dancer! The acting is horrendous, the characters are cardboard cut-outs, and the plot is just way too predictable. I should hate this movie. BUT I LOVED IT!!! And the soundtrack is extreme cheese! LOVED IT!! And who says that only Girls Just To Have Fun??? Boys want to have fun too....

Maybe i'm fan girling or maybe it's the sentiment from being an 80's kid....but this movie is still as enjoyable watching it today as it was way back.

Watch it alone or with the family, fun music and themes.

Growing up in the 80's I'm not sure how I missed this film, but when I saw the cast or Parker, Hunt, and Doherty, along with the promise of a great soundtrack I was definitely curious to check it out recently. There is a fun and positive overall energy to the production that I enjoyed and appreciated. However, the script is so predictable and poorly written that nothing can really save it. The direction is also weak and despite all the good energy, much of the acting is pretty bad as well.

I just rewatched it on the comedy channel. It's such a feelgood movie. It makes you want to dance. I always wished for a sequel. I would love to see how the characters turned out years later. Sarah and Helen are great in this movie. And I think Sarah did alot of her own stunts because she was doing gymnastics at the time. The dancing is great and the music is pure 80's fun. The movie has a good storyline that moves along with just the right amount of suspense and timing. This is a fun, feelgood dance movie. I highly recommend it.

The only interest in this film was watching the 'future' talent that had to try and make this inane, brainless drivel try and work. After watching this rubbish I am surprised that any of them found future employment.

The young players did seem genuinely enthusiastic, so I assume that the need to break through to the big time was the motivation, it surely wasn't this film....

This one is the worst of what the 80's were about. Bad dancing -- and I mean really bad -- as in clutch your stomach bad, not laughable bad. And a plot that has the audience saying "Who cares?" less than ten minutes into the flick. Makes a Harlequin romance seem like Shakespeare compared to this drivel. No one could like this movie, not even Helen Hunt's mom. Save the four bucks and rent "Sex in the City" instead.

I have a soft spot for cheesy 80's comedies, and this is DEFINITELY near the top of my list! With awesome music, 80's-clever dialogue, and the amazing Sarah Jessica Parker, it just can't be beat. Also starring a young and oh-too-cute Shannen Doherty, this movie is what I watch when I need a quick pick-me-up. It's fabulous!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun may be one of those horribly geeky dance themed 80s movies, but it's still a comedy that has maintained much of it's entertainment value.

Sarah Jessica Parker is back in something of her Patty Green like phase from "Square Pegs." Here, she portrays Janey Glenn, an army brat who is the new student at an all girl's Catholic school. Her best friend, and the one with the greatest style in this movie, is Lynne Stone (Helen Hunt), a semi-wild child, who doesn't mind breaking a few innocuous rules in order to have some fun.

Lynne encourages Janey to enter the tryouts for new dancers on a television show called 'Dance TV' which looks Dance Party USA. And actually, Janey makes it through the trials to compete in the finals and probably have her shot of being a "tv star." Only problem is, she was teamed up with Jeff Malene (Lee Montgomery) a cute fellow who is supposed to be her competition partner through the rest of the auditions. That'd be fine with Janey, except her father, being far too unrealistic about the situation, doesn't want Janey invovled in the comeptition in the first place and second, doesn't want her getting invovled with boys, and especially not Jeff Malone, who I suppose is supposed to be something like a street tough, but a clean version (as most of the characters in this movie are).

Janey's all set to give up, but Lynne advises her to stay in the competition and helps her keep the tryouts and Janey's burgeoning relationship with Jeff a secret. But, Natalie Sands (Holly Gagnier), a richie misfit who's jealous of Janey's quality time with Jeff, is determined to expose Janey, hoping her dad will find out and put an end to her participation in the tryouts so that Natalie will be able to dance with Jeff instead.

It sounds really corny, and for the most part it is. Even the story is trite (a better version of this story you may recall is 'Bend It Like Beckham'). But, nonetheless, this movie is good for a couple of reasons. Helen Hunt as Lynne Stone is great. Stone is really a girl with great style and she's a real fun loving goof. I think she steals the show more than the rest of the characters. The movie is good, too, if you like 80s movies, even corny ones based around even cornier dancing. The music isn't so bad, either. I have a feeling 80s teen fans should enjoy it, though I suspect, probably more girls will than boys. But what the heck, give it a shot.

I watched this movie because I found the DVD on sale. I never heard about the movie and seeing Helen Hunt, Sarah Jessica Parket and Shannon Doherty on the cover made me curious. I find it ironic: this three actresses owe it to the the movie that they became famous (this were the first leading roles for both SJP and Helen Hunt) and now this movie owes it to them that people still want to see it.

The movie is simply bad. Really bad. Very unexciting, predictable, acting and lines make one cringe sometimes, plot that we saw 100 times and very shallow characters.

Let's look at it:

There is this shy, good girl Janey whose dream is to dance. To get to this dream she has to overcome obstacles like her very strict dad who didn't realize that his daughter isn't 7 anymore and a concurrence which is a spoiled, rich girl Natalie. All this time she has her friend on her side: Lynne, who was described on the DVD cover as a "cool rock chick". seriously? This is what teens in 80's saw as a "cool rock chick"? She came over more like a little preppy brat who thought that wearing a fun hat would make her a "cool rock chick". And then there is of course a "bad boy". Well, he is a bad boy because he wears a tank top....

Horrible, just horrible.

The only thing good about it are the fun clothes. And to see the actresses when they were young. Sarah Jessica Parker was pretty cute in it, can't say much against her. Helen Hunt has certainly improved in acting since then, I didn't just dislike her character but also the way she acted. I am also amazed by the fact that her looks never changed, she looks now the same as she did when she was 22. Pretty cool for her! Shannon Doherty wasn't much on screen, good for her.

But yes, I can't imagine how people can like this movie u unless they are 10 year old girls or were 10 year old girls when this movie came out and want to be a little nostalgic. If you aren't in any of these groups, don't bother.

this is one of the best films i even seen. this is a feel good film for all those who love having fun and giggles. it is one of my fave films and watch it at least 3 times a week since finally finding it on DVD after many years of not seeing it. it is packed with comedy and romance and had my sides splitting with some classic quotes. the cast is great and there is a definite chemistry between them all. if u r gonna see an eighties movie just once in ur life then make it Girls Just Want To Have Fun. Get ur girlie mates round for a gossip and stick this film on and munch on the popcorn while laughing at Helen Hunt as Lynn, Sarah Jessica Parker as Janey and drool over the really nice looking guy Lee Montgomery aka Jeff with his dorky friend Drew.

Perfect mindless entertainment! A relic from gen-x girls' past... if you can laugh at the spectacular awfulness of it (and stop looking for a Sex in the City prequel) then this movie is nothing but 80's super-stylized fun.

Not only are the ridiculous dancing, music and clothes entertaining on their own, but you get to see critically acclaimed actors attempt to glamorize it all, back when they were at the bottom of the industry food chain.

Place this one next to Dirty Dancing and Footloose. Highly recommended to anyone who grew up in the 80's!

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" is a film that came out a couple of years after "Footloose" and "Flashdance", two films that I think were better. Sarah Jessica Parker plays a new girl in Chicago whose only dream is to dance on a television show. Helen Hunt is the rebellious friend. This film doesn't offer very much and is fun but that's it.