Adrian Lyne's film is full of compromises. It never really gets to grips with Alex's misfit status in a male-dominated world. And in the end, she is given the leg-up she needs by her boss (Michael Nouri) who won't take "no" for an answer. That's called stalking these days. But Flashdance also has some fascinating surreal moments. The infernal qualities of life on an industrial site are well described by good lighting and the dances take on a bizarre life of their own within the film. Beals is often in shadowy long shot for these scenes and, in fact, most of the actual dancing was done by a more qualified stand-in.

On the DVD: Flashdance is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack. On disc the film still pulsates with that 1980s anything-is-possible energy. Apart from standard subtitle options and scene selections, there are no extras. --Piers Ford

Romantic, exciting, classical.


Brilliant   December 30, 2001
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

This film is brilliant if you'r feeling down, a very up lifting story.Jennifer Beals gives a outstanding performance as a dancer by night in her local bar. The soundtrack ivery good, a mixture of 80s music including the no1 song by Irene Cara "What A Feeling"althrough the film you will be dancing in your seat!!