WHAT IS IT ABOUT?Griffin Dunne is about to be married. He is told by his boss that he has to pick up Madonna, just released from prison for a crime she didn’t commit, and drive her to the bus station and make sure she leaves town. She doesn’t leave town.WHO MADE IT?James Foley directed the film. He directed this in 1987, in between AT CLOSE RANGE and AFTER DARK MY SWEET. He would go on to direct GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS among other films (as well as Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” Video)The story was written by Andrew Smith, a Saturday Night Live writer in the early 80’s. Ken Finkleman, writer of GREASE 2 and AIRPLANE 2, also worked on the screenplay.IS IT ANY GOOD?I never saw WHO’S THAT GIRL theatrically. My sister did, but hearing the reviews, I didn’t bother. I didn’t even see it on video or cable.It wasn’t until the early 90’s that I finally saw it. At the time, after seeing AT CLOSE RANGE, I sought out everything James Foley directed. And this was one of them. I liked it enough that I bought it on laserdisc. I never watched it, other than the opening credits.When the DVD was released a couple years back, I bought it again.Recently, while looking for a DVD to watch, I grabbed it from the shelf and put it on.Watching it again, I was shocked.How did I, at one point in my life, think it was anything other than a terrible film?At the time, I was heavily in my “auteur” mode, thinking that Foley could do no wrong, and didn’t look at the film for what it was. Years later, now that Foley has sort of disappeared, I guess I don’t have that same outlook.The film isn’t funny, the story doesn’t make sense (I still don’t understand why Madonna had to leave the city). Madonna gives a terrible performance, like she is channeling Cyndi Lauper or something. The only good things about it is that Madonna, arguably, looks the best she ever did in this film. And some of her music is also quite good. The title song (one of her best), “Causing a Commotion”, and “The Look of Love” are all featured. The film is a disaster. WHAT IS ON THE DVD?The film has a widescreen transfer, and the theatrical trailer. But that is it. No audio commentary.They don’t even have the music video!! Why? It isn’t on Madonna’s music video compilation DVD either. Here it is.Since the clip is mostly scenes from the film, why not include it? It would certainly warrant more repeat viewings than the trailer, or even the film. Watching the video, I still partially believe the film couple be good. SHOULD I BUY IT?If you liked the film, I won’t stop you. But if you’ve never seen it, keep it that way.WHO’S THAT GIRL is available on Warner Home Video.

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