SOMETHING HAPPENS WHEN SHE HEARS THE MUSIC… IT’S HER FREEDOM. IT’S HER FIRE. IT’S HER LIFE.

18-year-old Pittsburgh welder Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) also works as a dancer at a nightclub; she wants to be accepted into a prestigious dance academy, but will she make it?

Many preteen or teenage girls want to escape their boring lives; this film takes those dreams seriously. A big reason why the movie was a hit is the music; the soundtrack is full of engaging tunes, reaching a climax in that famous audition scene.

All Beals needs to do to win us over is flash her wonderful smile, but the story is thin and needs a proper conflict.

1983-U.S. 96 min. Color. Directed by Adrian Lyne. Screenplay: Thomas Hedley, Jr., Joe Eszterhas. Music: Giorgio Moroder. Song: “Flashdance… What A Feeling“ (performed by Irene Cara). Editing: Walt Mulconery, Bud Smith. Cast: Jennifer Beals (Alex Owens), Michael Nouri (Nick Hurley), Lilia Skala (Hanna Long), Sunny Johnson, Kyle T. Heffner, Lee Ving. 

Trivia: Demi Moore was considered for the part of Alex; David Cronenberg and Brian DePalma for directing duties. Later a stage musical.

Oscar: Best Original Song. Golden Globes: Best Original Score, Original Song. BAFTA: Best Editing.