Get ready for today’s…Blast from the Past!
From Oscar winner Taylor Hackford, the director of White Nights (1985), Ray (2004), and many others, comes this romantic drama…
Foley: “Mayo, I want you D.O.R.”
Mayo: “No sir. You can kick me outta here, but I ain’t quitting.”
Foley: “Get into your fatigues, Mayo. By the end of this weekend, you’ll quit.”
An Officer and a Gentleman was released on this day August 13th 1982, making the film 35 years old as of today.
The film centers on Zack Mayo (played by Golden Globe winner Richard Gere) who is in training to be a Navy pilot while being strictly observed by Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley (played by Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr). Along the way, he meets and falls in love with Paula (played by Oscar nominee Debra Winger).
Fun fact; The film won 2 Oscars for Best Supporting Actor – Louis Gossett Jr, and Original Song – “Up Where We Belong”, and was nominated for Best Actress – Debra Winger, Original Score, Film Editing and Original Screenplay – Douglas Day Stewart (who also wrote the screenplay for The Blue Lagoon (1980) ), making it 2 wins out of 6.
Also, the flick has earned a spot in the AFI’s (American Film Institute) lists which includes being #29 in the 100 Years…100 Passions, #68 in 100 Cheers, and #75 in the 100 Songs list.
On a critical note, the movie’s highlights are the performances, and of course the ending which will perhaps make any lady swoon and maybe even inspire some men to do the same.
If you like the cast and looking for 80s romantic films, then this is for you, or for anyone you know, who likes the aforementioned aspects.