Just One of the Guys

Who said the beautiful girls are not smart enough!

I always like the 80s films, because that's the time the teen films were revolutionised. I did not know this film's existence, also not knew 'She's the Man' was its remake. Very enjoyable comedy flick. It was not a flawless film, but they were minimised. This is the story of Terry, a senior high school girl who after failed to get her desired summer job at a local press, she decides to reapply for the internship disguised as a boy with the help of her little brother. The rest follows what she's going to achieve from her new getup.

I really don't know any of these actors, but I liked them all, especially the lead actress. As I have seen many similar films, I don't think it failed to get my attention. So 80s, I mean very impressive like usual with slow and steady narration. You should not compare it to the present teen films. It was not just a different era film, but smartly highlighted the trend among the high school kids of the 80s. Particularly like the relationship and sexually perspectives, though not that strong contents.

I don't think everybody would like it, especially the todays youngsters, but surely the 80s and the 90s guys would enjoy it. I was not even born when it came out, though I feel my generation was very close to it than the present. If you have not seen many films like this theme, you should try it, but watch out for the slow story progression. That's the only thing that might disappoint the viewers, but if you are okay with that, then it is a better film than you would have anticipated.

7/10

A popular girl masquerades as a new male student and it naturally presents amusing problems

Terry, a teenager in Phoenix (Joyce Hyser), feels she has no choice but to become a male student in order to compete in a journalistic contest at her high school. Clayton Rohner plays her new best friend (Rick) once she’s a “guy” while Billy Jayne plays her annoyingly superficial brother (Buddy). William Zabka (Greg) appears as the antagonist (you might remember him in the same role a year earlier in “The Karate Kid”). Toni Hudson (Denise) and Sherilyn Fenn (Sandy) are also on hand.

“Just One of the Guys” (1985) is a fun 80’s teen flick that’s superior to overrated crap like “The Breakfast Club” (1985) but not great like “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982) or “The Karate Kid” (1984). I’d put it on par with “Can’t Buy Me Love” (1987); both have a glaring campy side (unlike those other three) and were shot in Arizona.

Hyser was great for the role because she looks stunning in a bikini, but also passes well for a dude when made-up appropriately. This is no small feat when you consider how filmmakers failed to do this is the serious Western “The Ballad of Little Jo” (1993).

The film runs 1 hour and 40 minutes and was shot in Arizona: Phoenix (Terry & Buddy's House and the caves), Scottsdale (school) Tempe (Big Surf).

GRADE: B/B-