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| Jumping Jack Flash |
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  (7/10)
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Runtime: 100 |
| Public Rating: 8.44 (45 votes) |
Director: Penny Marshall |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: Comedy - Drama |
Year: 1986 |
| Writer(s): David H. Franzoni |
| Reviewed by: Alex Kocan |
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Jumping Jack Flash is, to my knowledge, Whoopi Goldberg’s finest comic hour. This 1986 comedy, produced by Penny Marshall, centres around the life and misfortunes of Miss Terry Dolittle. Terry (Whoopi Goldberg) is a curious of mind computer operator who works in a city bank. Through faulty computer frequencies she picks up on a secret agents conversation. The agent’s code name is “Jumping Jack Flash”. They talk for a while and “Jumping Jack” asks Terry to help him. When he find out she is a woman he backs down and asks her to ignore all his previous demands. This only makes Terry more determined to help and goes it alone. By doing so, she puts her own life at risk, more than once.
This fast cutting dramatic romantic, espionage, murder-mystery comedy has not a dull moment. There are police chases; shootouts, and many dead bodies. There are also plenty of, and I mean plenty of, laughs. There is a little something for everyone.
Miss Goldberg’s comic timing is superb in this film. One of the most humorous scenes is where Terry accidentally gets her dress caught in the shredder. While she is fighting for her life, and her dress, she is also trying to sneak past some security guards on part of her mission. There are also plenty of twists and riddles in the plot to keep even the most avid mystery lover intrigued. However, you’ll have to watch the film for yourselves to see if you agree with me or not.
The film is directed by Penny Marshall, who, before she began directing was best known as Laverne from “Laverne and Shirley”. When this show ended, in 1983, she seamlessly made the transition from successful TV actress to successful movie director. One of her other directing successes was “BIG”, of 1988, starring Tom Hanks.
The sound track borrows very heavily from the 1960s. With songs from The Supremes and the title song supplied by The Rolling Stones, you can feel the immense energy of the main character. Having said this, the film is firmly planted in the 1980s. With a single, working, African-American woman playing the lead role, somewhat new departure for the film industry at that time, people were flocking to the movies to watch this great actress at work. The film earned slightly over twenty five million at the box office in 1986. Some sources suggest this to be a “flop”. This movie is still a staple of early to late night cable schedules. I, for one, make a note of watching it every time. Rated R with considerable violence and adult language. This is not one for the children, but it is a great movie. Top notch.
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