Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
This movie is one of my all time favorites. It's one of those movies that just keeps me laughing every time I watch it, and I do watch it a lot. I've memorized many great quotes from it, but several wouldn't be appropriate to quote here. *smile*
This review contains spoilers, but does not reveal the ending.
How it all began...
The movie begins with Terry working hard on her article for journalism. Her teacher, Mr. Raymaker, must choose two articles that he feels are excellent work. Those two students will get a summer job with the Sun Tribune as a reporter - Terry's dream job. She believes that she will be happy for the rest of her life if she got this job. Her heart is set on it. She believes she will get it, without a doubt.
After lunch Terry finds out she isn't one of the posted winners.
Terry confronts Mr. Raymaker, demanding to know why she wasn't chosen. He feels that her article doesn't make good reading for professional journalism. He goes on to tell her she should perhaps look into having a career to fall back on.
Mr. Raymaker: "Well, you're a pretty girl, you could be a model."
Terry: "A model? Why cause a pretty girl couldn't possibly have a brain?"
This is the starting point where Terry becomes near obsessed with the situation. She has decided that her article is newsworthy and is superior. She feels if her work would not be turned down if she didn't look the way she does.
Sometimes we get crazy ideas; she got one and went with it. She decides that this article would get published if a guy submitted it. So instead of the many options she could take, she decides to submit her paper as a guy - at a different school.
Terry: "How am I brain damaged? I just fooled my own brother."
Buddy: "I wasn't paying attention then. Now I am - hello Terry!"
This provides to be interesting as she has a college boyfriend. Kevin is a pretty snobbish college guy; I'm not quite sure what Terry sees in him. He's pushy, and an outright jerk at many times.
Terry: "If you don't mind I'd like to be alone now."
Kevin: "Now? Can't you be alone when your parents are home?"
Terry and her brother Buddy are home alone as their parents are out of town.
Terry has one plan for the situation - to get that job for the summer - no matter the cost.
Buddy has his own plan while his parents are gone. Some of the best quotes and laughs in the movie come from Buddy. He is the twisted perverted type whom is on the roam for one thing and one thing only - sex! He also provides assistance and guidance to his sister on becoming a guy.
Terry: "Well maybe my balls don't itch!"
Buddy: "All balls itch - it's a fact!"
Terry does go to a new school as a guy and the situation becomes more complex, as you can imagine. Just going to the restroom is a whole new situation at school. Gym class, dating, boys, girls, and prom; all new and strange situations for Terry as a guy.
What starts out as a need to get a dream job turns into an situation that pulls Terry's emotions in many different directions. Especially when she meets Rick...
My comments
I love this movie. I think it's hilarious. I like a lot of strange movies, though. The first time I saw it I laughed till my sides hurt. I saw it a couple years after it came out and I still watch it a couple times a month. It's one of those movies that I've watched more then once within a 24-hour period.
This movie is mostly for comedy, but does have a few thoughts and messages in it. It shows what length a person will go to when they want something and believe in something... or someone. It shows the risk that a person will take to follow the love in their heart. Sometimes when you think things are perfect, there really is something better out there. Happiness isn't always the situation you are in. There is more, I'm just not good with writing them :)
Overall it's a great movie, very funny. It's one of those movies I pop in whenever I need a good laugh or a pick me up type movie. I think males and females would enjoy this, age 15 and up. I wouldn't call it a family movie, more like an 80's twenty-something movie.
Recommended:
Yes
Viewing Format: VHS Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older
Budding teenage journalist Terry Griffith Joyce Hyser can't seem to get a break--her good looks inspire drooling from her sexist male teachers while h...More at Family Video
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.