Questions
When did Flashdance come out and who directed it?
Flashdance premiered on April 15, 1983, and was directed by Adrian Lyne. It was made on a budget of about $7 million.
What is Flashdance actually about?
It follows an 18-year-old woman in Pittsburgh who works as a welder by day and a nightclub dancer by night while dreaming of getting into a prestigious ballet conservatory despite having no formal training.
Who starred in the movie?
Jennifer Beals plays the lead, Alex, opposite Michael Nouri. Beals reportedly won the role over Demi Moore and Leslie Wing.
Is that really Jennifer Beals doing all the dancing?
No. Most of the elaborate dance sequences were performed by uncredited body doubles, primarily French dancer Marine Jahan. The producers reportedly did not want to credit the doubles so they would not break the magic of the film.
Who did the famous breakdancing and the diving shot?
Breakdancer Crazy Legs doubled for the audition scene, and gymnast Sharon Shapiro performed the slow-motion diving shot.
What’s the story behind that iconic ripped sweatshirt?
According to Beals, it was an accident. The sweatshirt shrank in the wash, so she cut a large hole in the neck to wear it again, and the look ended up on the poster.
Did any famous people turn down roles in Flashdance?
Reportedly Gene Simmons of Kiss turned down the male lead, saying it clashed with his demon image, and Kevin Costner nearly landed the role that eventually went to Michael Nouri.
Who made the movie behind the camera?
The story was by Tom Hedley with a screenplay by Joe Eszterhas. It was the first collaboration between producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer.
Who sang “Flashdance... What a Feeling”?
Irene Cara performed the song and co-wrote the lyrics with Keith Forsey, while Giorgio Moroder composed the music. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
What about the song “Maniac”?
“Maniac” by Michael Sembello was a huge hit from the film, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
How well did the soundtrack sell?
The soundtrack sold over 6 million copies in the United States and won the Grammy Award for Best Album of Original Score in 1984.
Was Flashdance a box office hit?
Yes. It was a surprise success, earning about $201.5 million worldwide and becoming the third-highest-grossing film of 1983 in the United States.
Did critics like it?
Not at first. It opened to largely negative reviews, holds a 37% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and Roger Ebert gave it 1.5 out of 4 stars and later placed it on his most hated list.
What is Flashdance’s legacy?
It helped pioneer the use of music video style sequences in feature films, influencing movies like Footloose, Purple Rain, and Top Gun, and helped establish music videos as key film marketing in the 1980s.
