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Richard Gere at his Best!

I HIGHLY recommend you watch this movie, and I HIGHLY recommend that you watch it before "Pretyy Woman". The movies share similar endings, which is the only letdown (a lack of creativity- but this movie came first!). The rest of the movie is great, however! The setting (a naval air-force training camp) saves it from being a sappy love story- this movie examines friendship, love, the idea of being true to yourself and the influence your family has on the choices you make regarding your future. Richard Gere is truly great, and Lou Gossett Jr. shines as his sergeant. Deborah Winger does her best, but her characters role is so two-dimensional that no actress could have breathed life into it. It's a treat to watch and would make a great gift for any girlfriend!

Mayo-naise

A film that's informative as well as entertaining. This is one of Richard Gere's better film roles as Zack Mayo, the son of a career navy man who's going all-out to become a naval pilot. The supporting cast which includes Debra Winger, Louis Gossett, and David Keith, renders admirable performances in giving us all a vicarious experience on how to go through naval officer candidate training. Anyone who watches this movie will be emotionally-affected by the individual triumphs and tragedies the candidates experience along the way.

GREAT DATE MOVIE

An old-fashioned, well-made movie, featuring terrific performances by both austere Richard Gere and the earthy Debra Winger. Lou Gossett, Jr.'s Oscar was well-deserved; his character drips with humanity. Taylor Hackford directed this movie with a lively spirit and an involving emotional core; the love story, though predictable, is mesmerizingly so, and the music, variations on Up Where We Belong, drives home the heart of the movie in the most enjoyable way. This movie easily stands the test of time, and will deliver with repeated viewings. And that ending -- what an exhilarating rush of emotion! This is what the movies are about.

A matter of Honor

Excellent movie. it perfectly portrays the chain of command in the United States armed forces, but at the same time it shows how love can be the best thing int the world. Great, acting by Gere and Winger!

One of my favorite movies. This is a classic in my book.

This is Richard Gere's best performance. The story is so human, and believable with a deliberate pace that keeps you feeling the drama until the end. Terrific acting performances by Louis Gossett Jr. and Debra Winger combine to make this an unforgettable film. I recommend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it. You'll love this movie if you like drama, great actors, and a motivational story (Mayo's character throughout the film). This is one of my favorite movies.

Gere in his best-striking story

The first time I watched an officer and a gentleman was when I was only 9 years old, thanks to a bored baby sitter.Me and the babysitter both fell in love with Richard Gere, his masculinity, his unhappy bad boy turned into a mature man theme, how he looks at Debra Winger, how his passion towards her turns into a supportive love...This is one of the best performances of Gere along with American jigolo. I always think he is a very good actor, not just handsome man. However, his gift is his charisma. His acting makes you believe that he is the most attractive man ever, and the woman he is in love with is the luckiest. He makes Debra Winger shine, just like he later did with Julia Roberts in Pretty Women. Not that Debra Winger is not great, she is very talented with the most radiant smile.The on screen chemistry between them is one that is hard to find nowadays.
The story is not only about love, it deals with the rough path to maturity, the extend to friendship and sacrifices you can make. It is very well written and well played with an excellent cast. I still cannot forget the part where Sid (Gere's best friend) loses it.And the song is major, makes the perfect finishing touch to final-ooh how I wish to be Paula in that scene

One of the Best films of the 80's, or any decade

AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN is, and always will be, one of the greatest films I've ever seen. Along with rave reviews, 2 Oscars, 9 Golden Globe nominations, landing #29 on the AFI's 100 Years, 100 Passions, and grossing $127 million dollars in the U.S. alone, it remains one of the greatest films of all time. The story is about Zack Mayo (Richard Gere in arguably his best film role to date), a recent college graduate who wants to get away from his skirt-chasing father. His mother committed suicide when Zack was rather young, and ever since then he has lived with his father and therefore, has an attitude problem and a difficult time trusting people. When he enrolls in the Navy where he meets his match, his drill instructor (played by Oscar winner Louis Gosset Jr.) who teaches him, maybe not in the most pleasant way, dicipline and that no man can survive alone. Zack knows how to get things, which lands him into trouble with his drill instructor but refused to D.O.R.. His determination keeps him in school. At a party, he and his first real friend Sid (played by David Keith in his breakthrough and Golden Globe nominated role) meet two friends, Paula (played to her first of three Oscar nominations, the amazing Debra Winger) and Lynette (played by Lisa Blount, in her Golden Globe nominated role). While Sid and Lynette get right to it and sleep together on their first date, Zack and Paula take it slow, and true love blossoms. Paula teaches Zack that it is alright to love someone, but Lynette isn't as honest. This beautiful film about life, loss, and love concludes with a gorgeous end scene.
When I first rented it, I was blown away by it and it quickly joined my top five list, along with DONNIE DARKO, LITTLE WOMEN, SAY ANYTHING..., and THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. I strongly agree with anyone who says that Richard Gere should have gotten an Oscar (or at least a nomination) for his role. Debra Winger earned herself a well-deserved Oscar nomination, but it was obvious that Meryl Streep was going to win. Louis Gosset Jr. won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and the song "UP WHERE WE BELONG" won for Best Origonal Song. This lovely film will always remain untouched as a classic.

Seen this film before? Turn on the Audio Commentary.

Richard Gere had done some brilliant work in earlier films, Report To The Commissioner (1975), Looking For Mr. Goodbar (1977), Yanks (1979) and American Gigolo (1980), just to name a few. But this film is probably the biggest breakthrough for Richard Gere. After An Officer And A Gentleman was released, Gere was offered more mature roles and he hasn't stopped working since. This film is everybody's favorite and the most watchable. How many times can you say you have watched this film? Everyone in the cast is perfect for the role they play. And I still believe that Richard Gere and Debra Winger had screen chemistry. What a brilliant cast! Richard Gere, Robert Loggia, Louis Gossett Jr, David Keith, Tony Plana, Lisa Blout, Lisa Eilbacher, David Caruso, Grace Zabriske and Victor French. I think congratulations should go to Tommy Petersen, who played "Young Zack", for making his role memorable too. I recall Lisa Eilbacher telling on a talk show that one deleted scene was her eating a bug as part of a survival test. This DVD unfortunatly does not contain any deleted scenes, but it does have a wonderful Audio Commentary by Director Taylor Hackford. If you have seen this film many times before, go ahead and turn on the Audio Commentary. A lot of tidbits and filmmaking secrets will be shared with you by Taylor Hackford. Debra Winger was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, Louis Gossett Jr. won the Academy Award for Supporting Actor, the end credits music, "Up Where We Belong" won the Academy Award while the original score by Jack Nitzsche was only nominated. The film itself was nominated for Writing--Screenplay written directly for the screen, and was nominated for Film Editing. 1982 was a good year for films, a lot of good quality films and it made a tough year for the Academy to choose and vote. Unfortunatly, An Officier And A Gentleman didn't even get a nomination for Best Picture and Best Director and Richard Gere was not nominated either. But you can buy this DVD and enjoy it anytime you want.

Up Where We Belong

"An Officer and a Gentleman" is a wonderful story about a man named Zack Mayo who zoins the navy, although his alcoholic father disagrees with his decision. Zack (played marvelously by Richard Gere) really doesn't care about anyone else but himself at first. He even gets into some unethical scheme at the navy. Sergeant Foley (flawlessly potrayed by Louis Gosset Jr.) can see right through Zack "Mayo-Naisse" and he endeavors to break Zack until he finally quits. Zack can't quit, he won't. Because of Foley's mind manipulations, Zack learns a little bit about being a better person. He also meets a good friend at the navy. And, he meets a girl walking past the naval camp whom he thinks is hot. The girl, Paula (played excellently by Debra Winger) sees Zack again at a party, and the two hook up. First, they like each other in a cute way, and a sex-related way, but the passion they feel for each other escalates into a meaningful relationship. The ending is uplifting and romantically brilliant! An ultimate fantasy of happiness and love. The musical score perfectly fits the mood, and the original song played during the ending credits, "Up Where We Belong", by Joe Cocker, is lovely. I highly recommend "An Officer and a Gentleman", a film that teaches about friendships, loss, perseverance, and love. "Way to go, Paula, way to go!!"

Magnificent Story and Wisdom Gleaned

I love movies as this. Movies that teach valuable life lessons (even if they are cheesy).


Richard Gere acts as if he is the consummate low-life-user-loser (not as low however as his father, played as if it was natural for him by Robert Loggia), until he experiences numerous maturation lessons in the serious game we call life.


What makes this movie (and all similarly toned movies for that matter), cheesy is they distill the melodramatic moments of life in the span of a few hours of a movie.

Louis Gossett, Jr. won an Academy Award for a one of a kind portrayal of the disciplinarian drill instructor who falters at times dealing with "Mayonnaise". Brilliant acting on Mr. Gossetts part.

Taylor Hackford does a magnificent job of drawing out the inherent skills of all players, Debra Winger, David Keith, Lisa Blount, Lisa Eilbacher et al, directing them to convey to the audience the writers intent. Magnificent story and wisdom gleaned from a movie.

The Best Movie

I love this movie so much. I have seen it so many times but I still keep watching it every chance I get. Richard Gere and Debra Winger are great together. I recommend it to anyone who who loves a really great love story. It is truly a classic!

Way to Go, Paula! Way to Go! :)

"An Officer and a Gentleman" is an inspiring romantic drama classic film, starring the marvelous Richard Gear and exquisite Debra Winger. This movie is about a man named Zack Mayo who decides to join the navy, despite his pessimistic, alcoholic father's feelings on the matter. At the navy post, Mayo meets a tough sergeant (Played excellently by Lou Gossett, Jr.) who makes each exercise and activity quite intricate. This is a story about friendship, love, strength, perseverence, and inspiration (especially the ending.) I won't give away anymore, except for this popular quote: "Way to go, Paula! Way to go!"

A gritty romance

This is an amazing movie. Gere delivers a very dramatic performance which thoroughly convinced me, and the set-up is realistic and believable. The romance lightens the plot up some, but it's not the main point, which concentrates on growth and friendship, and how important friends are to human beings. A great movie. Go forth and see it!

Good

Uneven, but quite good. It shows the mercenary nature of women. Louis Gosset Jr. gives one of the great screen performances. ...

Timeless

I only recently discovered this movie on DVD, and what a discovery. Lots of great drama and wonderful characters; the love scenes between Winger and Gere aren't bad either. It's also fun to see stars like David Caruso before anyone knew who David Caruso was. I also enjoyed the DVD commentary by director Taylor Hackford, who's looking back on the movie after 20 years. A simply great DVD all around.

Excellent movie, poor DVD release

I was disappointed when I discovered that an intere scene (lunch with Paula's family) was cut out.

Good movie, despite the military!!!

Loner with an attitude problem attends naval flight school and is whipped into shape by no-nonsense drill instructor and girlfriend.

Despite its pro-military theme, the movie was made without the assistance or support of the military. The military apparently thought cadences running around singing about napalming babies might give the public the wrong idea of what the military is about.

Like killing people!!!

Good movie, despite the military!!!

Loner with an attitude problem attends naval flight school and is whipped into shape by no-nonsense drill instructor and girlfriend.

Despite its pro-military theme, the movie was made without the assistance or support of the military. The military apparently thought cadences running around singing about napalming babies might give the public the wrong idea of what the military is about....

The Most Inspiring Line of Dialogue In All Moviedom

It's worth owning this excellent film, and sitting all the way through it, to hear the final line -- Lynette, congratulating her best friend (Debra Winger): "Way to go, Paula!"

Recalling that upbeat cheer has helped me through many difficult times in my life, romantic troubles, financial difficulties, career woes, various diseases and injuries. All it takes for me to get a grip, snap out of it and take the high ground is to look at myself in the mirror, pretend to be Lynette, and shout, "Way to go, Paula!"

I used to feel this way about "Atta boy, Luther!" from The Ghost and Mr. Chicken -- but "Way to go, Paula!" is infinitely more inspiring. Enjoy it, live it, thrive on it: Way to go, Paula!!

Excellent movie!!!! Stands the test of time!!!!

I am not a Richard Gere fan, and I was pretty much through with him after "American Gigolo," but his performance in "Officer and a Gentleman," should have won him the Oscar for Best Actor of 1982. Excellent performance by Louis Gossett, Jr. (who, it was said, back in 1982 when this movie was released, totally disassociated himself from the rest of the cast as part of the preparation for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Foley - and it worked, he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor). This movie stands the test of time and I highly recommend it (even if you are not a Richard Gere fan, the movie is worth it).