Regression Obsession: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Posted at 4:00 PM Oct 15, 2008

By Sharon Steel

Most people will forever associate Sarah Jessica Parker, first and foremost, with Sex & the City. And that's fine. I understand: it's an obvious, iconic, unbreakable connection. But I will always remember her (is it possible to be nostalgic for a film that came out when you were three-years-old? Er, yes!) as Janey Glenn from the 1985 classic Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Parker stars as a quiet, pretty, private school girl who looooves to dance. When her super-strict military family moves to the big, bad city of Chicago, Janey finally decides it's time to break free. So she scores herself a
wild new BFF, meets the boy of her dreams, and auditions to become a regular cast member of Dance TV. You know what happens next.

A sampling of my favorite moments from this movie, which I watch as a rule whenever it reruns. In no particular order:

1. Lee Montgomery's dimples. What. Happened. To. Him?!

2. The amazingly cool rock 'n' roll diner where Janey and Lynne (Helen Hunt) drop off the flyers inviting all the freaks to come crash Natalie Sands' birthday party. Does it exist? And can I spend every day there?

3. That adorable-gross scene where Janey and Jeff are playing in the park and practicing their dance moves. Eventually, they go somersaulting down the hill, and end in a make-out session. My heart breaks.

4. Lynne's incredible abuse of hairspray and velcro.

5. This immortal line, as delivered by Shannen Doherty (Maggie): "Do you really think I'm punk? Well, that's outrageous! I mean, it's not as cool as new wave, but it's a lot better than pre-teen!"

Tell me yours in the comments, if you please!