Monday, March 13, 2006

department store drama


If you like cheesy plotless fun and melodramatic fantasy, you'll like the 1987 film Mannequin. Kim Cattrall, of Sex and the City fame, is Emmy, a mannequin who has come to life before the eyes of Jonathan (Andrew McCarthy from Pretty in Pink). In the very first scene, we are introduced to the strange past life of the mannequin as an Egyptian princess in ancient times - as a matter of fact, we are told that it is "a really really long time ago in Egypt, at lunch time." She has yet to enjoy any of her time-travelling experiences, until she finds love with Jonathan.

Before happening upon a job in the department store that is home to this beautiful mannequin that he created at his last short-term job, Jonathan is a typical "starving artist." The insanity is only beginning when he speaks to her through the window on a stormy night.


Jonathan proceeds to get caught dancing with her, kissing her in a bathroom, and even sleeping next to her in a hammock. Of course, he is the only one for whom she comes alive. This is why it looks so strange when he rides down the street with her on the back of his motorcycle, plastic arms wrapped tightly around his waist. On his trail the whole time are the crazy nighttime guard Felix and his bulldog Rambo, plus Jonathan's rude ex-girlfriend Roxie, who is desperately trying to hire him at her rival store. The only person who appreciates Jonathan's eccentric relationship with the mannequin is aspiring artist Hollywood Montrose, a fellow employee.

Considering the limited space and entertainment value of a department store, Jonathan and his plastic friend manage to have an incredible time. This movie is of the fun, corny 80's genre. With plenty of synthesizer tunes and ridiculous twists, it might be worthy of your boring Sunday afternoon. Its music was nominated for an Academy Award! If for no other reason, watch it just to see the hang-gliding scene.

For the trailer:

http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/trailer.html?v_id=31327

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