“I have a head for business and a bod for sin.”
With those words, Melanie Griffith wowed audiences and scored her first and only Academy award nomination for Best Actress…this week’s “Cult Movie Monday” celebrates the terrific romantic comedy “Working Girl!”
“Working Girl” – Directed by Mike Nichols. Released in 1988.
This is a terrific movie, filled with female empowerment, great one-liners, terrific acting and Harrison Ford is a comedy role!
Melanie Griffith was Oscar nominated for Best Actress – and held her own against a great cast including Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack.
Here is the trailer:
Melanie plays Tess McGill – a frustrated secretary, struggling to forge ahead in the world of big business in New York. Her latest boss is a first for her – a woman – Katerine Parker, played by Sigourney Weaver, who had a head for business.
Katherine Parker: “Ugh! What a slob.”
Tess McGill: “You were so smooth with him.”
Katherine Parker: “Never burn bridges. Today’s junior *prick*, tomorrow’s senior partner.”
Tess gets her chance to show her ability when her boss breaks her leg on a skiing holiday. McGill takes advantage of her absence to push ahead with her career. She teams up with investment broker Jack Trainer (Harrison Ford) to work on a big deal. But even before she knows who he is, she’s been accidentally “over-medicated by friend Joan Cusack, leading to her candid revelation to Trainer in the bar:
Tess McGill: I have a head for business and a bod for sin. Is there anything wrong with that?
Jack Trainer: Uh, no. No.
The film is full of great moments and one-liners, like when Joan Cusack is looking at some of Sigourney’s wardrobe as Melanie searches for the right dress to wear, uttering the classic line:
“Six thousand dollars? It’s not even leather!”
And how about this scene that showcased Weaver’s obsession – with herself!
Tess McGill: What if he doesn’t?… pop the question?
Katherine Parker: I really don’t think that’s a variable. We’re in the same city now, I’ve indicated that I’m receptive to an offer, I’ve cleared the month of June…and I am, after all, ME.
Harrison Ford also seems to be having a blast doing light comedy, never winking at the audience or overdoing it…a really nice comic touch.
There is this fun scene between Griffith and Harrison Ford, having some fun with Ford’s real-life chin scar…
Tess McGill: “How did you get the scar?”
Jack Trainer: “Some guy pulled a knife in Detroit.”
Tess McGill: “Really?”
Jack Trainer: “No. No. I was nineteen and I thought it’d be cool to have a pierced ear. My girlfriend stuck the needle through and I heard this pop and fainted and hit my chin on the toilet.”
Joan Cusack also gets to showcase her innner Jersey girl, as Tess’s friend, who doesn’t share her big dreams…and this line sums it all up:
“Sometimes I sing and dance around the house in my underwear. Doesn’t make me Madonna. Never will.”
The film was directed by Mike Nichols, who made such GREAT films as “The Graduate”, “Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Wolff?”, “The Birdcage” and “Catch-22” among many others. He got terrific performances from the entire cast at the top of their game.
This “cult movie Monday” celebrates a great film, terrific acting and directing, and an empowered female message!
For Griffith, her rise to Oscar nominee was an unusual one, including starring in the most dangerous Hollywood film of all!
Yes, that’s Melanie cuddling with a real Lion! The madness of this picture is one reason that “ROAR” was the most dangerous film of all time! Read about it here:
Categories: Academy Awards, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Great Films, Hollywood, Movies, New York, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Another one of my favorite movies. Thank you.
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Yes, a big favorite of mine as well
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Fun film, great cast, and Melanie’s best role by far. One I can watch again and again, John. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, the pay cable networks here are showing it again so it’s popping up and we get hooked on it every time! Thanks for the comment!
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