An Officer and a Gentlemen

Cast: Richard Gere, Debra Winger, David Keith, Robert Loggia, Louis Gossett Jr and Tony Plana

Director: Taylor Hackford

Release Date: 1982

Running Time: 2hrs 4 minutes

Genre: Drama/Romance

Rating: 15

Format: Amazon Prime UK

Synopsis:

A young man, who wants to rid of his father, must complete his work at a Navy flight school to be come a top aviator, with the help of a tough sergeant and a new girlfriend. 

I have a bit of a confession. When I first heard about this movie, I was under the impression it was a girly chick flick! I was wrong, it's more of a romantic drama really. In fact, I found the story to be very emotional in places. Zack Mayo is forced to live with his drunken Navy father in the Philippines when his mother passes away. Tired of his father's drunken nights, he makes the decision to move to Washington to join the Navy at the Aviation Officer Candidate School. It doesn't take long for him to meet factory worker Paula Pokrifki, played fantastically by Deborah Winger. Richard Gere's performance is actually quite phenomenal. What's most impressive about the storyline is that screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart, focuses on some pretty emotional subjects, Zack's father Bryon (Robert Loggia), is an alcoholic who would rather be sleeping with his two mistresses then caring for his son. It focuses on the troubles that those joining the Navy really face, this film has not been glamorised in any shape or form. It's no surprise, it sits so well with those in the Navy in reality.

Richard Gere is terrific as aviator Zack Mayo. Determined to be at the top he fights through his training, pissing off his sergeant on the way, played by Louis Gossett Jr, Gossett's performance is magnificent. Remarkably convincing, he manages to build a fantastic amount of tension between himself and Richard Gere. Deborah Winger's performance as factory girl Paula, is fantastic. Despite the two actors reportedly not getting along in real life, there is most definitely quite a bit of chemistry between them. The two works brilliantly and look great together on screen. It is a romance, after all. I can understand why Richard Gere became a bit of a heartthrob in the eighties and early nineties. While "Top Gun" focuses on those who have already completed their trying, this film focuses on the training and the discipline that is required to become a fully qualified aviator.

One of the things, I find most fascinating about movies, is how much the fashion and the soundtrack can giveaway about when the film was produced. The fashion in this film is a dead giveaway, although some of it is seventies fashion, eighties fashion is just about starting to make an appearance. The pace of the film is very good, It didn't drag, I didn't find myself getting bored half way through, screenwriter Douglas Day Stewart found the perfect balance of drama and romance. Director Taylor Hackford, created captivating conflict between Sergeant Foley and Zack Mayo, that really makes the film all the more interesting. Is he going to make it through his training? Are all drilling officers like that? Is he a stereotype? I should probably ask my Navy friends.

Despite the storyline being quite emotional, it is a feel good movie and has a wonderful ending. One that has become quite famous! I've seen more parodies of this film then I have of any other. Very, very nicely shot, and very well edited, the film looks excellent. It's a very simple movie, the production design is very simple, you don't honestly see a great deal, however it's a very nice setting, set in Bremerton, Washington. It adds to the tone of the film very well, it works very well with the characters, and the storyline. A very well organised film that was beautifully written. The score too is very simply, but it works brilliantly alongside the storyline. You don't always need an outgoing soundtrack for a movie to work. Less is more.

Brought a tear to my eye, inspiring and warm! An absolute must have!

5/5 stars