MovieChat Forums > Mannequin (1987) Discussion > re: For us who grew up in the 1980'S - N...

re: For us who grew up in the 1980'S - Nostalgia????

posted 19 years ago by carl170
31 replies | jump to latest

Anyone, who grew up in the 1980's, this film will always have a special place in our hearts. It will not win any awards, or spellbind you will intelligent prose, etc, etc... But it is a fun movie, nothing more, nothing less - with love in the air as a bonus.

Andrew McCarthy, played his part well, as the chap who nothing at the moment is going right for him. Down on his luck, and short of Confidence. He gets lucky, and gets work at a huge department store, and then things go rather strange after that ...

Carole Davis, (Very good looking women as well I may add) his girlfriend at the time, likes "Switcher", but feels embrassed by his life style, and his apparent lack of ambition, and "loser" status about him. But she likes him as he treats her well, and has no "airs and graces" about himself.

G.W.Bailey (I loved his character in this. Another fine part well done by him), always plays well the authoritian persons role; who's quest is to work his way up through the company, that will lead him eventually into some kind of position of power. This time (after seeing him in countless Police Academy films) he is head of the security of the massive department store. Who he tries to make life hell for "Switcher" after being instructed to do so by...

James Spader, the firm's accountant I believe, is a character within the movie that appears to be seemingly trustworthy, but is looking out for his own interests. He is hoping that the store fails so that a take over can be forced through which would benefit him.

Kim Cattrall plays her part very well indeed. She seems so full of life, and fun to be with. Also within this film you get too see how stunningly beautiful she is. The "perfect new girlfriend" within the film for Andrew McCarthy...

Manesh Taylor, is plays a great charachter within this film. I loved him as "Hollywood" - the camp, gay window dresser. He puts a smile on your face everytime he appears within this movie. A really great character within this film. So over the top, but that his character strength; and htat is why we love him so in this movie....

I liked this movie, when I saw it first in the 1980's I liked it then. The plot is so chessey, but after seeing it you still "can't not like it". It reminded me of the film from the same period of time called "Weird Science" - which is also from the 1980's....

A feel good movie, that actually does that. "Makes you feel good".

Carl Brown
Ipswich, England

[–] abhimb-1 19 years ago

Damn staright esp about Manesh Taylor, I am 26 and loved the 80's

[–] supernova1001 19 years ago

I´m 27 years old and totally in love with the 80´s decade. The movies and of course the music were so great.Also the Tv Series like Miami Vice etc.!I wish I was born a few years earlier so I had spent my best years in the 80´s. What a shame!

Ho Tse Sung: Do you believe there's a God?
Mark Gor: Yes. I'm one, you're one. A god is someone who controls his destiny.

[–] el1sdf 19 years ago

i'm 25 and this is great 80-s nostalgia, along with Weird Science (the first movie I remember watching), Ferris, Breakfast Club and Ghostbusters.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Emiabambinacara 19 years ago

I totally agree with eevrything you said Carl170. I'm 26 and for me the eithies Nastalgia runs thick, mostly because of my older siblings who never excluded me from anything. Along with the music, the fashion, this movie stands out in my fondest memories of the decade. I wonder... is it because of childhood or just what the eighties represented that everyting then just seemed fresher and better?

[–] carl170 19 years ago

I'm going to say something that might "rubb people up the wrong way". I hope I don't but I feel it I might in any case. The decade of the 1980's was in my opinion. The closet decade to the 1960's.

People in all walks of life were taking chances and doing completely new things - especially within America and in the Uk. Fashion, Movies, Music, Sport,lifestyles, holidays were all being transformed by these new approches.

For instances The general public were now going to places that were once reserved for "Rock stars" and "Royality" in regards to Holidays. This created a buzz all on its own. Music, another major industry, was being revolutionised by the "Sampling culture of Hiphop, and other dance fazes such as House music, and techno music. Boldness, in dress sense reached new heights. Fashion, was being taken one step further after the world had been a customed to Punk Rock, Disco, Skinhead culture and Reggae music of the 1970's. It seemed that all of those sub cultures were being merged into one, and yet.....the 80's went onto to create its own fashions, etc, etc

For instance - Who came remember when they first saw Boy George/Culture Club, on the stage singing "Do you really want to hurt me?"(*Their debut album was called - "Kissing to be clever") I can. It was on "Top of the Pops", in 1982( here on BBC One channel,English TV). (***In the early '80s, Boy George/Culture Club racked up seven straight Top Ten hits in the U.K. and six Top Ten hits in the U.S.***)

That song was excellant ("Do you really want to hurt me?"), and was sung to perfection by George. But boy did he and Culture Club cause a storm. No one could believe what they were seeing. The very next day, the English newspapers went into overdrive. "Top of the pops" (Music chart show here in England), got huge amounts of complaints. But that was then, and this is now. If that happened today no one would budge an eyelid. But at the time it was ground breaking in regards to being shown on National TV...

*Please go to this link to see it all again:(*Cut and Paste this into your web browser to see)
http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2707916?htv=12

However, I loved this film - Mannequin. If you have a copy of this film.Watch it again and feel the innocense that comes from this movie. It has that "Weird Science" and "Police acamdemy" feel about it(*Both 1980'S MOVIES).You know what I mean? A film, not to take too seriously, but once its on you know you have to watch the whole length of it - because of its simplicity - and "Hollywood". It just makes you smile. Predictable, yes. But Entertaining. Very much so. I don't think today movie producers would take on a chance on a movie like this these days. But maybe I could be wrong.

Kim Cattrall looked so beautiful as well in this movie. Well I think so. (*Don't you???). She still looks good now.

I am glad that I have a copy of this movie. Yes, it helps to break up my Dvd collection no end. And gives it balance.

Is it safe to put my head around the corner for saying what I have said?

Do you agree with me...

Please let me have your views, on this film more than anything else. Or on anything else that I have mentioned. Don't be shy...

Carl Brown
Ipswich, England

[–] vohnkar81 18 years ago

heck yes im 25 alomost 26 and i love the 80's movies
im glad there is someone else out there just like me!
:)

[–] bonjovirocker 18 years ago

i'm 24, i love this movie, i'm also male and straight, the 80s just rule as a decade, infact reading all the posts on this movie i had to listen to nothing's gonna stop us now :D

the decades had the best everything, music, movies, fashion (kids these days say they are making a statement and being unique..... wear a bright orange sparkling suit like Martin Fry (lead singer of uk 80's pop band ABC) and be unique)

God i wish it was the 80s again, if i had a time machine i'd probably jsut live my life constantly from jan 1st 1980 to dec 31st 1989 over and over doing different things until i shuffled off the earth lol.

[–] HarmerTHH 18 years ago

Jesus, who didn't love the 80's? I certainly loved this movie particular because it was a geniune 80's movie. Also not to leave out that it was filmed in my hometown of Philadelphia, I know exactly where the store was as I have frequented the spots on many occasaions, it is gigantic, completly like as big as it is in the movie. Lets not also to forget the clothes, the hair deux's of the time that are so obviously done in the movie.

[–] MrsGogo 18 years ago

I love 80's stuff. I'm 26 and can never watch too many cheesy 80s movies or listen to too many silly 80s songs. This is a fun movie to watch even though it's not exactly "fine cinema." :)

[–] inianj02 18 years ago

Man, I'm glad that there are more guys out there who aren't afraid to speak their mind about things, not worrying what others think, esp. if they like a very unusual, but awesome decade of movies and music, say, the 80s!

bonjovirocker - I've thought something like you've said very similarly for awhile now. I just don't post on imdb.com that much. I love the that last comment you had about literally living between jan 1 80 to dec 31 89!

[–] dracula_27 18 years ago

In 26 and when it comes to movies, and music, the 80's stuff just kills the stuff of today IMO.
That decade looks so cool! I was just a kid then but man, I wish I was in my teens then!
My DVD collections and CDs are 80% from the 80's, movies and tv shows also!

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] luv0817 18 years ago

I'm only 22 and I LOVE this film! It's light, funny, romantic, and hello; has the songs "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" and "Do You Dream About Me?"! I first saw this film when I was 10 and completely fell in love with it.

My heart is and always will be, yours -Edward Ferrars - Sense and Sensibility

[–] Outer_Heaven 17 years ago

I'm 25 I saw this when I was 6 years old. Wasn't that security guard one of the cast members from Police Academy? And the CEO of the rival company the guy from those Izuzu car commercials?

[–] abajasds 17 years ago

I'm 18 born in the late 80's but I still like the movie,and yes that security guard was in Police Academy.His character didn't change very much.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] AngelaNicole 17 years ago

Im 29 and I saw this movie for the FIRST time just 4 years ago! I LOVED it!!! Andrew was great in this movie, and Kim was super pretty in this movie too! It had that fairytale ending which us girls love so much, and it showed how much someone would do for the person they love. Im glad they got married at the end!

[–] AngelaNicole 17 years ago

Just wanted to add the 80s was the best decade ever!! The movies, the music, the whole scene was awesome back then. I wish I could rewind and go back and keep it 80s forever!lol So many good childhood memories:)

[–] kseifner 17 years ago

I'm 23 now and I grew up in the early part of the 80's, and I remember watching some of the shows that started in the late 70's and ended in the early part of the 1980's, and of shows that started in the early 80's like Miami Vice and 21 Jump Street. the180's like Miami Vice, and 21 Jump Street among others. I also think that the movies, the music, and the whole decade was awesome. Also what bonjovirocker said about having a time machine, and just living the 80's over from January 1st, 1980 to December 31st, 1989 over and over again till you die, I thought was a great idea. The 80's is still alive in me and of the other people born in the 1980's. The decade of the 80's is still alive in me and of the other people born in the 1980's.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] queencirce22 16 years ago

There's a lot of 26 years old here! And I'm no exception! I guess at our age we start remembering a lot from the 80s and are beginning to get nostalgic for our childhood. I recently bought this movie on DVD from Amazon.com and watched it the other week. It's just as I remembered...like, totally awesome dude! LOL. Andrew McCarthy was great and it's a fun movie. And if you like him in this movie, I'm sure you loved him in Weekend at Bernie's too.

Queencirce22
The Queenly Goddess of Goodness

[–] northstar_36 16 years ago

Hell i was born in 1965. I would consider myself growing up in the 1980s... 15 years old in 1980 and 25 1990, if thats not growing up in the 80s and being old enough for the club scene was a massive bonus. Great times sadly missed.

As for this film, its a feel good film, this is what the 80s were all about, loved it and watched it again just yesterday, brings back memories. Lots of other films from the 80s era had the same feel to them this has, doesnt take itself too seriously and cool music added to boot.

[–] justin-243 16 years ago

I'm 92 and love this movie!

[–] BabyGrape 16 years ago

I'm a '93 kid and I also love it!

Today was the first day I'd watched it since I was about 4 or 6.I fell in love once again with the characters,Andrew McCarthy and of course the song at the end!I remember watching this movie with my mom when I was so young and it just brings back memories of my mom.I miss her.

Hufflepuff

H.A.M.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] rufus317 16 years ago

I am really trying to tell these 90's and 2000's babies, the 80's was the time to be alive. Television at it's best, the best toys, British Knights, Adidas. Mannequin is my grandmother's all time favorite movie. Hollywood was really funny in this movie.

[–] PandaBear8 11 years ago

Those of us in the States feel the same. I just watched this movie again tonight...27 years later.

[–] vic102780 10 years ago

I would posit that Xanadu almost could have been part of this class of '80s charmingm cheesy, sexy yet innocent, neon fun movies. I think what prevents it is that Michael Beck was expressionless and didn't have Andrew McCarthy's high dorky cute likeability that is in this movie. Seeing how McCarthy is in this film, I can understand how Michael Beck's performance stunk.

[–] MuggySphere 10 years ago

I haven't seen this since 1988 ........

Only just finished watching it on DVD and loved every single minute of it.

Fun, fun, fun.......