Watch this for the soundtrack and locations and fashions because the rest is pretty lacking. That said, the stuff you watch it for is so hyper 80's that its a perfect time capsule and well worth it.
23 Reviews
Time capsule
jellopuke2 May 2020
another night, another club.
triple813 June 2004
Cute fun movie about a night out in the life of several clubkids. I saw this a long time ago but liked it. I would actually like to see it again if I could only find it.
There is nothing remarkable here, just a good fun movie. a bunch of girls are going out on the town and all the things that go wrong(and right). It captures the time period and "night out at the club" feeling beautifully, and the cast is pretty good. Look for Daphne Zunniga of Melrose fame, she has a major role and is quite good, quite an underated actress. The movie's target audience is clealy clubkids but since I used to be one as was the guy I watched this with, I had no problems with that. It makes for many laughs, some pretty funny situations and an entertaining overall view. My vote is 7. 5 out of 10.
There is nothing remarkable here, just a good fun movie. a bunch of girls are going out on the town and all the things that go wrong(and right). It captures the time period and "night out at the club" feeling beautifully, and the cast is pretty good. Look for Daphne Zunniga of Melrose fame, she has a major role and is quite good, quite an underated actress. The movie's target audience is clealy clubkids but since I used to be one as was the guy I watched this with, I had no problems with that. It makes for many laughs, some pretty funny situations and an entertaining overall view. My vote is 7. 5 out of 10.
The point of this film is to do one thing:
vukaroo5 March 2019
Show what the L.A. club scene looked like in the 80s. I'm sure the film would sentimentally appeal to anyone who was around there at that time. All the things that fall into this category include the fashion, the clubs' themes, and the music. Aside from that, this film is pretty much about nothing in particular. In a way it reminds me of Scorsese's "After Hours." Not really surprising, as the aforementioned film is from a year earlier, and about an all night 80s night. "Modern Girls" really feels like a background movie, that you would ever really watch if you wanted a potent dose of 80s aesthetic.
Time Capsule of the 80's
richard_illes31 December 2006
I inadvertently came across this movie while surfing through satellite today and was blown away by the fashion and music throughout. The movie was relatively "cheesy" but for someone who was 20 years old in 1986 when this movie was first released, I must say that it is hauntingly accurate in its depiction of club night life of the time. Although the plot may not be a reflection of the average person's personal experience, I can attest that the fashion, music and general "feel" of the 80's experience was very familiar even for a Canadian living in Toronto. This movie left me feeling reminiscent and wondering about all those people I used to know way back when. Do I detect the beginnings of a mid life crises ?!
Cable rerun classic.
el719 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
If you were alive during cable TV's heyday then there are certain movies you remember more for their ubiquity on home cable than for any other redeeming qualities. HBO used to be called 'Hey, Beastmaster's On' for a reason. In addition to this, there was a time during the 80s when studios became very interested in releasing inexpensive movies aimed at that long cherished 18 to 45 demographic which were meant to put the fun in 'no profundity here, folks,' and a lot of those movies wound up on the cable channel lineups. Well, Modern Girls is one of those movies. It definitely has a 'just go with it' flavor to it. There are two descriptions of the movie's plot on this page and the one that references a prank is the one that's not accurate. The individually contributed description gets it right. The movie does mean to explore the power of friendship, particularly female friendship, but it doesn't aim to do so without losing track of its mandate for presenting viewers with a somewhat voyeuristic view of nightlife in 80s Los Angeles. Margo, CeCe and Kelly are roommates trying to get by in the city and enjoying their nights off by hitting the clubs. Margo (Daphne Zuniga) is the raven haired savvy chick, CeCe (Cynthia Gibb) is the brunette flibbertigibbet, and Kelly (Virginia Madsen) is the blonde beauty who can have any man she wants, but she only wants the one who leads her on. All three actresses were up and comers at this point in their careers, while their leading man has become known as a reliable 'hey, it's that guy' actor. Kelly has made a date with Cliff (Clayton Rhoner) which she bails on as soon as her on-again off-again boyfriend Brad says they're on again. She takes the car, leaving Margo and CeCe stranded at the apartment, until Cliff shows up with his car. They concoct a plan to convince him to go out and find Kelly, but really they just want to go clubbing and they want him to drive them around. Meanwhile, there's a big rock star hanging around (also played by Clayton Rhoner) whom CeCe has a big crush on, and who develops an interest in her as well. The rest of the movie is them hitting the different L. A. scenes while playing cat and mouse with Kelly, a stalker whose attention she has inadvertently attracted, the rock star Bruno X, and Bruno X's fans who have mistaken Cliff for him. It kind of wants to be After Hours, but it doesn't want to ever be that trippy or deep. Some of the set pieces work, especially when they're poking fun at specific club scenes. Others fall flat, particularly one in a pool hall that references a real event in a way that may produce a full body cringe. The set dressing is really fun in places, especially the girls' apartment which looks exactly like what you'd expect from three single ladies scraping by but which movies almost never show accurately. The ending is kind of silly. Overall this movie is a fun watch and a bit of a time capsule for its era, but it's not going to stay on your mind for long past the viewing, nor is it probably meant to.
Oh the 80's
BandSAboutMovies24 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Cece (Cynthia Gibb, Jack's Back) just lost her job.
Margo (Daphne Zuniga, The Initiation) has a boring telemarketing job.
Kelly (Virginia Madsen, Candyman) sells lots of pets because she's so good looking.
Over one wild night, they're going to get dumped, meet a rock legend, face off with a criminal and maybe even fall in love. Just another Friday night, I guess.
Clayton Rohner (I, Madman; April Fool's Day) has a dual role as the love-starved Clifford and rock star Bruno X. Also look for Josh Richman (who was Tony in River's Edge; he also directed the videos for Guns 'n Roses' "Live and Let Die" and "Don't Cry (Part 1)" as well as reciting the spoken word section on their cover of "Knocking On Heaven's Door and managing the band Deadsy), the Boss' sister Pamela, Mark Holton (Francis from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure) and Stuart Charno (one of the few Camp Crystal Lake counselors to escape Jason).
Director Jerry Kramer also made Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, the video for Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher," Styx's "Kilroy Was Here" and Sandahl Bergman's Body, a video where Sandahl shows how to do aerobics. If you think I'm not hunting that down, you don't know me all that well.
This female-driven hijinks movie even had the Depeche Mode song "But Not Tonight" promote it in a movie-featuring music video, as well as a soundtrack with The Jesus and Mary Chain, Toni Basil and Icehouse on it.
Modern Girls bombed in theaters, but as often happened in the late 1980's, it found new life on HBO. Ah, what a time to be alive, staying up too late and wishing you were old enough to try and catch Virginia Madsen's attention.
Margo (Daphne Zuniga, The Initiation) has a boring telemarketing job.
Kelly (Virginia Madsen, Candyman) sells lots of pets because she's so good looking.
Over one wild night, they're going to get dumped, meet a rock legend, face off with a criminal and maybe even fall in love. Just another Friday night, I guess.
Clayton Rohner (I, Madman; April Fool's Day) has a dual role as the love-starved Clifford and rock star Bruno X. Also look for Josh Richman (who was Tony in River's Edge; he also directed the videos for Guns 'n Roses' "Live and Let Die" and "Don't Cry (Part 1)" as well as reciting the spoken word section on their cover of "Knocking On Heaven's Door and managing the band Deadsy), the Boss' sister Pamela, Mark Holton (Francis from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure) and Stuart Charno (one of the few Camp Crystal Lake counselors to escape Jason).
Director Jerry Kramer also made Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, the video for Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher," Styx's "Kilroy Was Here" and Sandahl Bergman's Body, a video where Sandahl shows how to do aerobics. If you think I'm not hunting that down, you don't know me all that well.
This female-driven hijinks movie even had the Depeche Mode song "But Not Tonight" promote it in a movie-featuring music video, as well as a soundtrack with The Jesus and Mary Chain, Toni Basil and Icehouse on it.
Modern Girls bombed in theaters, but as often happened in the late 1980's, it found new life on HBO. Ah, what a time to be alive, staying up too late and wishing you were old enough to try and catch Virginia Madsen's attention.
"totallyrad80" should have been studying --
jnagarya-115 July 2021
How to be literate in her native language.
What might she have learned from the exchange that these girls never pay for parking, or drinks, etc. -- instead they are "liberated" from the conscientiousness of not using men to pay their way.
I enjoyed the film, but also recognized that little has changed: women looking for men with the largest bulge in their back pockets to "take care of them" -- for men to be responsible, while the women indulge their irresponsibility.
What might she have learned from the exchange that these girls never pay for parking, or drinks, etc. -- instead they are "liberated" from the conscientiousness of not using men to pay their way.
I enjoyed the film, but also recognized that little has changed: women looking for men with the largest bulge in their back pockets to "take care of them" -- for men to be responsible, while the women indulge their irresponsibility.
trying to be a fun night out
SnoopyStyle5 January 2022
Cece (Cynthia Gibb), Kelly (Virginia Madsen), and Margo (Daphne Zuniga) are poor struggling single gal roommates in L. A. Cece gets fired. Kelly has a date with forgettable nerd Clifford (Clayton Rohner) but she left with the car. The other two girls wanna have fun and gets him to drive them to the club. He's happens to be a doppelganger for music superstar Bruno X.
The fake L. A. nightlife is a little stupid. A comedian playing Clifford could have turned this into a funny adventure. Drop Everything is a funny bit. The movie needs to stay with that tone and needs some better comedic skills to pull it off. Clayton is not a funny actor. I love all three actress individually but non of them are doing anything special here. This doesn't have enough fun for this to be enjoyable although it tries. It tries to be a fun night out.
The fake L. A. nightlife is a little stupid. A comedian playing Clifford could have turned this into a funny adventure. Drop Everything is a funny bit. The movie needs to stay with that tone and needs some better comedic skills to pull it off. Clayton is not a funny actor. I love all three actress individually but non of them are doing anything special here. This doesn't have enough fun for this to be enjoyable although it tries. It tries to be a fun night out.
Not quite a classic, but a perfect 1980s time capsule!
zillion299 September 2007
This is one of those movies that no one ever saw in the theater. However, it ran in super-high rotation on HBO and Showtime in the late 80s. I must have watched it 20 times in junior high, and I watched it again when it was on cable last night. It has surprisingly crisp writing. The jokes and plot, while not groundbreaking, are above average considering the other films of this era in this same genre. There's some nice social commentary and some very heartfelt interactions between Clifton and the girls. But what really sets this movie apart is the way it presents 1980s LA night life. You see bouncers, themed clubs, themed drinks, vapid people, what could be the first on-screen use of "E", and all the synth-pop music you could ever ask for! The music, by the way, is top-notch - most of the tracks sound radio-worthy instead of the random crap you'd usually get with these flicks.
Best recommended for fans of the cast.
vertigo_1430 May 2004
"Modern Girls" is a cheap film that offers a few laughs, but nothing particularly interesting as it doesn't really have much of a story, other than three roommates (80s b-movie regulars Cynthia Gibb, Virginia Madsen, and Daphne Zuniga) who endure the dating scene in the course of one night. The latter part of the night turns into an oddball adventure chasing rock star Bruno X, a dual role played by actor Clayton Rohner, who 80s teen movie fans might enjoy if they like performance in "Just One of the Guys." This is a particularly ridiculous pursuit given the girl's fixation that being with Bruno X is somehow her destiny, even though she just met him for a second.
Because of such a stupid story, the movie just gets by one whatever laughs it can muster and is really one movie that I would say is best recommended for fans of the cast.
Because of such a stupid story, the movie just gets by one whatever laughs it can muster and is really one movie that I would say is best recommended for fans of the cast.
Better Than Bad
manray611 January 2003
Nothing screams 80s like this movie. Watching this film as a young teen I wanted nothing more than to be waltzed off to a bad goth bar and find my friend intoxicated rolling around on top of a pool table, and during all this trying to find the rock star lover of my dreams. Needless to say,I gave this movie a 10. Besides, I can't think of any other movie that plays Depeche Mode over and over again.
a cute '80s movie
timmauk9 January 2001
This is a story about three single girls(Cynthia Gibb of "Jack's Back", Virginia Madsen and Daphne Zuniga of "Melrose Place") looking for a good time. Somehow a geek(Clayton Ruhner of "Just One Of The Guys") gets thrown into their night and things start to fall apart. It's a good movie about friendship and acceptance. I don't think it anywhere near a classic, but good fun just the same. It's always nice to see these actors when they were young and starting out. Also looking back at the '80s and seeing all the big hair, wild clothes, and the music.
If you are looking for a fun film, look no futher than this one. Another fun film is "Just One Of The Guys". One of my favorites!
If you are looking for a fun film, look no futher than this one. Another fun film is "Just One Of The Guys". One of my favorites!
Not a bad 1980s night out movie
torrascotia22 January 2023
This is definitely a movie genre, the night on the town movie. I have yet to see this genre defined or labelled as yet. House Party is probably the most well known and loved within this genre.
This is a night out movie from a female perspective in the 80's. Its about female friendship and how its tested on a night out and in particular how the female pursuit of men can sometimes get in the way. There is a male lead in this however he is still a peripheral character as he is more there to be used a function for the girls characters. Don't believe me? In one scene he is given a "makeover" or rather dressed up by the girls in order to make him more attractive to them. He is basically playing the role of the nerdy bookworm girl who takes off her glasses, lets down her hair and is all of a sudden now sexy. Just in male form.
The story is paper thin, as are all of these movies. Girls arrange a night out, it doesn't go to plan and the story resolves at the end. But that is kinda the point with these movies which is what makes them so easy to watch. There is nothing too taxing intellectually or emotionally its an easy ride.
Its definitely a 1980s time capsule in terms of clubbing, the most interesting part however is the reference to the drug X. Which is probably the first movie to refence Ecstasy or MDMA as its known today. The other notable aspect of this is the soundtrack with some very famous and now not so famous bands making an appearance.
Its worth a watch if you want something less taxing to watch with a 1980s nostalgic setting.
This is a night out movie from a female perspective in the 80's. Its about female friendship and how its tested on a night out and in particular how the female pursuit of men can sometimes get in the way. There is a male lead in this however he is still a peripheral character as he is more there to be used a function for the girls characters. Don't believe me? In one scene he is given a "makeover" or rather dressed up by the girls in order to make him more attractive to them. He is basically playing the role of the nerdy bookworm girl who takes off her glasses, lets down her hair and is all of a sudden now sexy. Just in male form.
The story is paper thin, as are all of these movies. Girls arrange a night out, it doesn't go to plan and the story resolves at the end. But that is kinda the point with these movies which is what makes them so easy to watch. There is nothing too taxing intellectually or emotionally its an easy ride.
Its definitely a 1980s time capsule in terms of clubbing, the most interesting part however is the reference to the drug X. Which is probably the first movie to refence Ecstasy or MDMA as its known today. The other notable aspect of this is the soundtrack with some very famous and now not so famous bands making an appearance.
Its worth a watch if you want something less taxing to watch with a 1980s nostalgic setting.
Three Hot Chicks out on a Friday night!
Totallyrad8013 October 2003
Yum. These girls were sensational in this movie. This was the first time I would know of Virginia Madsen and Daphne Zuniga because I know of Cynthia Gibb ("Search for Tomorrow" and "Fame") but I saw this flick and I liked it so much. When I did catch this movie on cable, I remember living this kind of lifestyle at the time, (19 years old, going out on Friday nights to trendy clubs, didn't know what I wanted to do in my life as yet except to live), I did relate to these girls and what they wanted to get out in their lives going out barhopping. I had a lot of fun enjoying this film and the characters was so much different from each other. You had Cece - the attractive, bubblehead, red hair, (which that was an attractive shade of red on Cynthia), Kelly - the one who couldn't figure out what made her attracted by this sleazeball, dj, but couldn't get him out of her head and Margo - who was definitely the force in there lives. Long lives that life and when I saw this movie I was at that stage at that lifetime. (Now 33 yrs old). But who could ever forget the part of the WonderBread bus and the passengers mistaken Cliff as the rock star Bruno X or the food fight at the club, or the fight that took place in the fountain. And I have to say that it was a good thing that none of them was actually selfish with what they wanted like such as Margo pointed out to Cece that they went through hell just for you to dump them for Bruno X. But Margo went through with helping out her friend and roommate to look for Bruno. And it was good when Cece realized that she didn't want this lifestyle that Bruno was going to provide and make sure she was taken care of. It was when she realized that she was going to miss her friends if she took off with him and she stopped and realized that Kelly, Margo and Cliff was more important in her life than being with a publicized rock star. But it was a great film that I loved and was always hoping for a sequel to come out and see where their lives has taken them now. And who could forget the part when Cliff had to go after a limo only to be a bunch of Arabs with machine guns to follow them.
Just Have Fun With It!
ddfcmp813 June 2006
You know what? I think the majority of people who never liked this film much, were most likely expecting it to be all the things it wasn't. Either they wanted it to be a John Hughes film, or some extravagant film of the like. Not all films will be like that, and not all films were like that back in 1986. This film has it's serious moments, but only at times when the necessary elements are needed. True, it's comic tactics are not as up to par with the potential it had, but when seen with a good sense of humor, this film is funny as it is. How can you resist Daphne Zuniga? She is a doll! She practically holds the film on her shoulders. Cynthia Gibb and Clayton Rhoner are good too, while Virginia Madsen is annoying. She might be an Oscar nominated actress now, but in this, she just stood around looking lost and drugged. Another charm to the film, besides Daphne Zuniga, is the setting, in the L.A. night scene. The locations are fun and appropriate, and at one point, we see a sign that says "Melrose Place". Pretty ironic huh? The musical soundtrack is also a must for me to mention. It features the most defining sounds of the mid 80's, and every fan of this magical decade should here it. This film is no masterpiece, but it is fun, and enjoyable. Just have fun with it, you'll see what I mean.
I lived through the 80s. And trust me, this movie is freakin' 80s!
Phaserblast30 January 2016
So if you're 14 or whatever and want to know what the 80s was like, watch this movie. Everything--and I mean EVERYTHING, is spot on. The costumes are amazing. The production design in amazing. The colors of those opening titles--woah! And the best thing? The music! The person that picked the songs really earned their paycheck, because the selections are really authentic to that 80s club culture. These aren't the same, worn out and cliché 80s songs you always hear when the 80s is involved but proper, underground stuff typically only played in clubs and in radio stations in Miami, New York and LA.
And you know what? The story is actually really fun! It takes place over the course of one night, which I really like (think After Hours by Scorsese). The character arcs are fun to witness, and the acting is enjoyable to watch (although don't expect ultra-realism).
Oh, and I am in lust with 80s Daphne Zuniga. Man. When my time machine is complete, she had better watch out.
And you know what? The story is actually really fun! It takes place over the course of one night, which I really like (think After Hours by Scorsese). The character arcs are fun to witness, and the acting is enjoyable to watch (although don't expect ultra-realism).
Oh, and I am in lust with 80s Daphne Zuniga. Man. When my time machine is complete, she had better watch out.
Pretty Cool Movie
dhair462 February 2008
I'm a little bummed out that this movie didn't float with people when it came out(check out the box office gross) This was a fun movie to watch and very enjoyable, and I think it may have gained some strength since the 80s release because it showed what people actually do in that time and era. Mind you I wasn't around in the 80s, born in 1992, but this film is insightful to what it was like and all the stories I've heard from people. At least all you people on this site understand the good nature and entertainment value of the film. Look at rogerebert.com and he gives it 1 star while users on that site give it half just to please him and fit in, he isn't the greatest anyway, he gives four stars to crap like Rendition. But I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie its hardly ever on and it is not on DVD! I was actually thinking of contacting the studio who released it and asking if they will ever release it on DVD. Anyway if it is ever on cable, it is worth the 1 1/2 hours to spend with these crazy girls and have a fun trip around L.A like all you did in the 80s. Highly Recommended.
Ah!The 80's....
marz196629 January 2000
This was a pretty cool film!It managed to capture,what I thought,at least,the joy of being young,single,and looking for love in the eighties! The music is the real plus here!Depeche Mode's song,"But not tonight" fitted so nicely in this movie. Yes,how we loved our rock stars back then,eh? Following them around,hoping to get a glimpse of them and bathe in the magic that they poured out! Now,don't expect this movie to be deep and meaningful.No,it's not that at all,but just sit back and enjoy the ride! Remember the good ol'days of youth and laugh at those clothes and hairstyles!Ah!The 80's...miss them so much!
One of my favourites, with an acid MTV flavour
AndreiPavlov7 November 2023
This movie is quite an achievement. Its running time is perfect. The characters are cool. The setting is perfect. The story is tear-jerkingly simple but perfect too. And the mood - the mood of the 1980s - is something that just takes you away, if you of course remember those times or get the real kick out of that versicolored culture.
Such movies will never get an Oscar but will always be valued by those who think that the eighties (and the nineties) were the coolest.
Groovy from top to toe. Everything that happens in the movie is not apocalyptic but keeps you interested and worried in a good way. The scenes are very mild even by today's PG standards: no sex, no blood, no killing. And it only adds to its grooviness and fun. Though smoking, drinking, and some pills are present of course (one of the female characters is freaking out during the adventure through the nooks and crannies of LA).
It's definitely on my top 100 list. A very heart-warming experience so rare in modern cinema.
A 10 out of 10. Thank you for attention.
Such movies will never get an Oscar but will always be valued by those who think that the eighties (and the nineties) were the coolest.
Groovy from top to toe. Everything that happens in the movie is not apocalyptic but keeps you interested and worried in a good way. The scenes are very mild even by today's PG standards: no sex, no blood, no killing. And it only adds to its grooviness and fun. Though smoking, drinking, and some pills are present of course (one of the female characters is freaking out during the adventure through the nooks and crannies of LA).
It's definitely on my top 100 list. A very heart-warming experience so rare in modern cinema.
A 10 out of 10. Thank you for attention.
Fridays in LA
akoaytao123426 December 2023
So Modern Girl's is about a group of friends/roommates in LA. One beautiful AND is hounded by men, one is insanely crazed with some popstar, another just struggling to have a night out. When their beautiful friend went on a whim to get back with her old boyfriend with their communal car, the two of them hatch a plan to string a forgotten suitor in guise of finding her. In the course of a night, they discover that there are much more like within each other.
I love this film.
The acting can definitely have been better and the direction is not something to really write about BUT something about the film's script is just divine. The storyline does come off cheap at times BUT a lot of well observed moments. A wonderfully handled story about friendship and dating AND enough hearts and warmth about twentysomethings trying their waves in a very unforgiving LA. Its far from perfect. Shockingly, its has a lot of social commentary about college degrees and LA scenes THAT you definitely would not expect from a film like this. Also kudos, for that schtick, which was quirky and fun AND added another layer to the film.
Its just a nice fun quirky film to see and rewatch without really coming off empty.
Highly Recommended.
I love this film.
The acting can definitely have been better and the direction is not something to really write about BUT something about the film's script is just divine. The storyline does come off cheap at times BUT a lot of well observed moments. A wonderfully handled story about friendship and dating AND enough hearts and warmth about twentysomethings trying their waves in a very unforgiving LA. Its far from perfect. Shockingly, its has a lot of social commentary about college degrees and LA scenes THAT you definitely would not expect from a film like this. Also kudos, for that schtick, which was quirky and fun AND added another layer to the film.
Its just a nice fun quirky film to see and rewatch without really coming off empty.
Highly Recommended.
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