Some Girls

"Some Girls" is a potent crowning jewel of the late 80s' cinema, featuring Patrick Dempsey, Jennifer Connelly, and Sheila Kelley. This film is a romantic comedy-drama, brilliantly steering away from the stereotyped repositories to explore a remarkable example of talent, emotion and subtle narrative.

In the movie, Michael (played by Patrick Dempsey) is a college student in the middle of his winter break when he is invited by his girlfriend Gabby (Jennifer Connelly) to visit her family in Canada for Christmas. Michael takes up the invitation, seeing the opportunity to reunite with Gabby and spend some quality time together. But as this plot unfolds, the phrase "no plans survive first contact" becomes a glaring truth. Rather than a romantic getaway, he is catapulted into a quagmire of family eccentricities and unexpected emotional tangles.

Dempsey's character, Michael, is intellectually engaging and charismatic, navigating his experiences with sincerity and wit. He is an everyman character - someone the audience can relate to and sympathize with. Jennifer Connelly's Gabby is intriguingly enigmatic – evoking a sense of unexplained allure that only serves to add another layer of complexity to Dempsey's path.

The rest of Gabby's family is an unusual mix of vibrant characters that defines diversity at its best. From Gabby's two elder sisters, Irenka and Simone (Sheila Kelley), to her reclusive grandmother Grammy (played by Lila Kedrova), all bring their own unique personalities and idiosyncrasies into the narrative, making it a humorous and captivating roller-coaster ride.

The film operates on multiple layers, interlacing romance, family dynamics, psychological insights and cultural clashes, often showcasing a keen eye for human follibility and the paradoxes that define us. Its exploration of the social norms and taboos of its era is both daring and subtly nuanced.

"Some Girls" draws heavily on black comedy and satire throughout its run, exposing the often stark contrasts between 'expectations' and 'reality' in relationships. Despite being huge doses of relational complexity and moral dilemma, the film never loses its sense of humor and never succumbs to the temptation of turning melodramatic. The laughs are served with remarkable delicacy, ensuring the humor is part of the natural flow of events rather than forced comic relief.

The Director, Michael Hoffman, is at his storytelling best with this film, displaying enormous sensitivity, depth and few brilliantly placed cinematic devices. The screenplay by Rupert Walters delivers witty, sharp-edged dialogues with a series of complicated, yet lovable, characters that effortlessly pull the audience into their world.

The underlying theme of 'love' in all its diversified and complex forms is the true heartbeat of "Some Girls". It portrays love as a multi-faceted emotion - a twisted maze where one can get lost or find themselves, and sometimes even both.

All the actors in "Some Girls" give marvellously nuanced performances, translating their roles into believable and captivating characters. Patrick Dempsey is in his element as the love-struck Michael. Jennifer Connelly brings an air of captivating mystery to Gabby, effortlessly embodying the role of a complex and charming woman. Sheila Kelley, as the eldest sister Irenka, also delivers a phenomenal performance, knitting her role into the film's fabric smoothly and flawlessly.

The film's production design perfectly captures the essence of the 80's, making it a cinematic time capsule of that period. The technical aspects, including the cinematography, the sound design and the music all contribute to the overall appeal and stature of the movie. The background score is particularly noteworthy, complementing the narrative beautifully without ever being intrusive.

In conclusion, "Some Girls" is a memorable movie experience from the late 80s - a brilliant amalgamation of comedy, drama, romance and family dynamics that remains relevant and engaging for today's audience as well. It's intelligently written, adeptly directed, and superbly acted. The movie delivers an unexpectedly thought-provoking commentary on love and relationships while keeping the audiences thoroughly entertained throughout. Irrespective of whether you are a fan of the 80s' cinema or not, "Some Girls" is one movie that remains a delightful and enriching watch.