TGIF feels like a Robert Altman disco film -- multiple characters and story lines intersect and bounce off each other. Released a few months after Saturday Night Fever, TGIF is a wonderful artifact of the 70's. Looking back almost 30 years later, it all seems so carefree and innocent.
There are some delightful surprises in the cast -- Debra Winger makes her film debut. Jeff Goldblum gets his biggest film role to date. And best of all, Donna Summer makes her film debut. It is great to see Donna caught on film, performing at the height of her powers. She does the show-stopper Last Dance, a song that would win the Best Song Oscar.
In addition, the Commodores make a cameo appearance. Lots of great music throughout -- great Casablanca Records soundtrack.
Lots of great character actors -- Chuck Sacci as Gus, a garbage collector who meets up with an unlikely computer date.
It is great to see L.A. as it was in late 77/early 78 -- billboards on the Sunset Strip for Eric Clapton's Slowhand and other 1977 albums. Plus, Osko's disco on La Cienega, which is now a strip mall. In one shot looking north on San Vincente, there is a giant gap where the Beverly Center currently sits. Also, gas prices were a lot cheaper back then.
In sum, this is a fun movie, a great escape from all the bad news we're bombarded with today.
There are some delightful surprises in the cast -- Debra Winger makes her film debut. Jeff Goldblum gets his biggest film role to date. And best of all, Donna Summer makes her film debut. It is great to see Donna caught on film, performing at the height of her powers. She does the show-stopper Last Dance, a song that would win the Best Song Oscar.
In addition, the Commodores make a cameo appearance. Lots of great music throughout -- great Casablanca Records soundtrack.
Lots of great character actors -- Chuck Sacci as Gus, a garbage collector who meets up with an unlikely computer date.
It is great to see L.A. as it was in late 77/early 78 -- billboards on the Sunset Strip for Eric Clapton's Slowhand and other 1977 albums. Plus, Osko's disco on La Cienega, which is now a strip mall. In one shot looking north on San Vincente, there is a giant gap where the Beverly Center currently sits. Also, gas prices were a lot cheaper back then.
In sum, this is a fun movie, a great escape from all the bad news we're bombarded with today.