Modern Girls

Modern Girls, a spectacularly joyful trip into 1980s pop culture, is a comedy-drama released in 1986 and directed by Jerry Kramer. The film showcases the performances of Daphne Zuniga, Virginia Madsen, and Cynthia Gibb, a trio of young women experiencing a wild night of adventure in the heart of Los Angeles.

The captivating storyline follows the lives of three single roommates, Margo (Daphne Zuniga), Kelly (Virginia Madsen), and Cece (Cynthia Gibb). These titular "modern girls" are navigating eye-catching 1980s Downtown LA's dance clubs, music scenes, and fashion trends. Margo, a reserved office worker, is the more conventional member of the group. Kelly, a nurturing individual, works at a pet store, and Cece, the most outgoing of the friends, is a cosmetics salesgirl with ambitions of pop stardom.

One Friday evening, the roommates prepare to hit the city for a night of fun, but there's a hitch; Kelly took Margo's car to meet a DJ she's enamored with. So, Margo and Cece get a ride with a nervous salesman named Clifford (Clayton Rohner), who quickly gets caught up in the girls' unpredictable evening. The narrative sees the trio tackling various misconceptions, relationships, career dreams, and self-discovery in the backdrop of the vibrant and colorful nightlife that 80s LA is famous for.

Modern Girls, while it showcases some playful frivolities and lively escapades, is more than just a stereotypical party movie. It smoothly integrates smart and insightful dialogue, moments of emotional authenticity, and compelling character development offering a thorough exploration of 1980s femininity and youthful angst. The script creates three-dimensional, relatable protagonists who are much more than just caricatured '80s girls.

Zuniga, Madsen, and Gibb portray their characters brilliantly, exhibiting phenomenal chemistry. Zuniga's portrayal of Margo captures a young woman's struggle between the urgency to fit in and the desire to forge an identity distinct from the societal norms. Madsen plays Kelly with grace, revealing her as a dreamy romantic caught in the web of fluttery feelings and emotions. Gibb, as Cece, balances the persona of an ambitious girl navigating her dreams with the realities surrounding her.

Clayton Rohner stands out with the convincingly funny character of Clifford, a seemingly out-of-place man tossed in with the bright and vibrant women in an alien culture of clubbing and nightlife. To add spice, Rohner also has a dual role, playing the pop-star that Kelly obsesses over, a spot-on parody of the New Wave musicians of the time.

Modern Girls, alike many movies of its time, is as much about its music as its plot. It's a love letter to the energetic new wave, rock, synthpop, and electronic dance music of the '80s. It's a feast for the ears with an array of songs from artists like Depeche Mode, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Icehouse, T.K.A, and others. The film is often seen as a musical time capsule of the mid-'80s.

The costume and set design perfectly encapsulate the era too, serving up an authentic visual feast of dramatic fashion, bold colors, and vibrant atmospheres. So, the movie goes all in, genuinely emphasizing and celebrating its time period rather than simply using it as background. The production design, cinematography, and lighting are all employed to portray a neon-colored, exciting spin on night-life during this memorable decade. The flair of LA's 1980s club scene is captured effectively in the film, offering viewers an immersion into the exquisite and electrifying world of youthful nightlife.

The director, Jerry Kramer, makes it a point to keep the film frothy and light-hearted, while also inserting earnest moments. He indulges viewers with many humorous instances, explorations of friendships, romances, and easy-going fun, without shying from addressing complicated themes of identity, dreams, maturity, independence, love, and heartbreak.

"Modern Girls" is more than a nostalgia trip; it portrays young, independent women exploring life with sheer empowerment and freedom, treating its audience with the infectious energy of its time. The film, with its well-drawn characters, rich 1980s atmosphere and sensational music, proves to be a treat for fans of both comedy-drama and the unforgettable era it represents.