Valley Girl

It's really, really dated but still worth a warm embrace.

All good, a gift

This movie really doesn't make any sense. Nothing that happens in it really should happen, least of all the attraction between the cute-as-a-button titular character and the pug-ugly who intrudes on her well-ordered life. None of the main characters, from Valley Girl Julie (Deborah Foreman) to Hollywood lowlife Randy (Nicholas Cage), has a real clue about anything that's going on, but that doesn't stop them from blundering along into and eventually over obstacles that largely exist only their own culturally prejudiced minds.One obstacle, Julie's Valley boyfriend Tommy (ex-boyfriend if you buy early developments), has a serious territoriality problem, but for the most he's almost beside the point. He's merely Randy's mirror image, no more flawed than his rival except in being smug instead of disarming. Far more daunting are Julie's friends, a gaggle of giddy girls who apply the peer pressure like nobody's business, and seem incapable of learning from experience. The one friend who knows too well what Tommy's about makes only the vaguest swipes at warning Julie about him, and ultimately gives up to no purpose.There aren't many anchors attached to the proceedings, least of all the few adults in the vicinity. Julie's father still deeply feels the passing of his era (the late 1960s), while her mother could just as well be her big sister. There is, however, a wonderful sense of affection among them, and the parents do have a genuine grasp of what a generation gap is all about. They would be the very last people to have a problem with their daughter going with a guy like Randy, so long as he was what she really wanted.What puts this film over is the sense in the narrative that life really isn't about things that should happen, that the choices it places before us are never fair, and that we're almost never equipped, at any time of life, to deal with them when they arise. The script gives you the impression that it's wrapped things up at the end, but if so it's only in terms of momentary events. The movie leaves the real choices that have to be made, and not just by Randy and Julie, for that hazy future that lies beyond the closing shot.

This was a very good low budget film. It's known for the music, among other things. What I enjoyed was the quiet story of teenagers in transition to an adulthood that never quite happens within the scope of the film. there is a gentle humor, especially in the depiction of the adults. I watched it out of curiosity, and an interest in the Valley lingo that we would joke about. This movie is good enough to watch multiple times fer sure. Totally tubular.

Thumbs up!

It really seems to be a trend to look back on past decades and ridicule just about everything that has "come before". It makes me laugh that people are so smug to think that the "present" is perfect. Well, I have news for you. The present is far from perfect and there's a whole lot about the past that was MUCH better than it is today. The movie "Valley Girl" is a wonderful example of how COOL the early 80's were!I won't offer a review of the film itself, because that's already been done by much better reviewers than myself. I will simply say that this is a great youth movie from a very positive time in America. It's always great to be young... but it was TOTALLY AWESOME to be young in the early 80's!The DVD features a great transfer with a few nifty "extras" (80's trivia track and audio commentary by director Martha Coolidge). As noted by a few other reviewers, a few of the songs have been removed from the film (and this is not noted anywhere on the DVD package). Also, for some reason the sound was remixed and some of the music has been placed in the "background" when it was originally quite loud and "up front". Since the music is such an integral part of this film it's a shame that it has been altered in any way.Remember:If you should ever find yourself making fun of 80's fashions or haircuts just put Valley Girl in your DVD player so that you can be reminded of how FUN and COOL that time really was. Those who truly understand what the 80's were all about make no apologies and have no regrets. The 80's were a TOTAL blast, and Valley Girl is a wonderful testament to that fact!-JM

The underrated `80s teen film "Valley Girl" based on Frank Zappa's Novelty Song of the same title, popularized the image of the "Valley girl". A Valley Girl usually referred to girls from The San Fernando Valley in California. This type of girl usually dressed in preppy colorful clothes, had their own slang terms, cared about their social status, and were always seen at the Galleria. In 1983 Valley Girl, the movie was released, and became a cult status film, depicting the Valley Girl lifestyle. The movie stars Deborah Foreman, as Julie Richman, a valley girl , and Nicolas Cage as Randy, a young punk from Hollywood. After dumping her val boyfriend, Julie attends one of her friends parties and ends up meeting Randy, even though they are from 2 different worlds, these two show that opposites do attract and instantly become an item. Julies parents parents are cool with their relationship, her friends aren't, and pressure Julie into dumping him, so she can get back with her Ex, leaving Julie to decide who she should choose, her popularity or true love. This film is not only great, but has an incredible soundtrack. Watch for musical appearances by The Plimsouls, and Josie Cotton in this film as well.

One of my favorite 80’s movie.

Not a This was a very bad copy of the DVD and did not play at all. Thanks to amazon for the refund

Purchased for a gift, it was exact what I wanted

I saw this movie when it was first in theatres years a go. Great film. Thanks Amazon.

A good bit of fun that will have you with a smile on your face, when the younger generation think they know it all. An upper class girl and a boy not so, and friends saying no to them, that's impossible, so forget it, Now this could be a usual event that happens everyday but with a bit of this added that it makes this a show to watch and judge for yourself, A look through the eyes of teenagers in the past and than the difference of today's teens. Can't make up your mind issues and that's the fun of it been so young. A family show that isn't restricted and clean for all to see. Nickolas Cage is quite young so this will be a must see movie. On the go throughout and now it's for the popcorn and relaxing stage so what are you waiting for, get a move on and watch this A grade classic for a change that will bring back a lot of memories. Enjoy!

Very happy as it is a missing piece in my Nicolas cage collection