‘Career Gal,’ a tribute to the bold hairstyles and ambitious women of the 1980s, has turned 27. I revisited it for the first time since its release in 1988, and it felt as if no time had elapsed. Back then, I was in middle school, the charming star was 46, and the hilarious sidekick was the queen of the Staten Island Ferry. But, as you can imagine, nearly three decades can change one’s viewpoint. Here are the 25 thoughts I had while watching ‘Career Gal’ in 2015.
- Ah, remember Alec Banning as Mick, Tess’s not-so-great boyfriend? A true blast from the past showcasing 1980s Irish charm.
- The film opens with the World Trade Center—what a touching reminder of history.
- Carly Simon belting out “Let the River Run” makes me want to throw on some Hammer pants and a wild haircut, running laps with my arms flailing. Download time!
- Joan Cusack’s line, “What do you need speech class for, you talk fine?” is pure movie magic.
- And that makeup? Those eyes look like they took 45 minutes! She resembles a KISS band member if they used Sunbrella fabric for eyelid upholstery.
- Mick flipping through Motor Trend on Tess’s birthday, while she struggles with a garter belt, reminded me of the last breath of every bad relationship I’ve ever had. “Just once, could I get a sweater or some earrings? A gift I can actually wear out of this apartment,” she says, and I feel her.
- Kevin Spacey as Bob is perfectly cast—kicking his little legs in the limo while doing a bump of coke.
- Tess’s revenge on her boss with “David Lutz is a sleazoid pimp with a tiny little dick” on the office crawl-screen is a fantasy come true for anyone who works under sexist jerks.
- The three women in the film—Joan as the supportive friend, Olympia Dukakis as the HR rep, and Sigourney Weaver as the frosty superior—each portray different reactions to workplace sexism. Joan embodies, “Know your place and don’t expect much,” while Olympia’s advice is to “go along to get ahead.” Sigourney? She’s the ultimate backstabber. Tess, however, carves out a unique path by living a double life.
- HARRISON FORD TAKES HIS SHIRT OFF.
- Tess finds a $6,000 dress in Catherine’s closet. Back in 1988, I thought, “One day, I’ll own a $6,000 dress.” Fast forward to 2015, and I’m like, “Can you even use Shout on a $6,000 dress? Because I wouldn’t risk marinara sauce all over that!”
- Joan Cusack’s reaction? “Six thousand dollars! It’s not even leather!”
- I could really use “Valium, in the convenient economy size,” and some shots of tequila after the kids are asleep.
- And Harrison Ford with his shirt off wouldn’t hurt either.
- Catherine may be sneaky, but she’s got this right: “Never burn bridges. Today’s junior jerk is tomorrow’s senior partner.”
- Wait, is that Ricki Lake as one of the bridesmaids? Now I need to rewatch Hairspray!
- And David Duchovny is at the birthday party? Time to dive back into the X-Files!
- Tess’s line, “I have a head for business and a bod for sin. Is there anything wrong with that?” makes me cringe a bit—who says that? She probably reads romance novels obsessively.
- Harrison Ford carries Melanie Griffith up the stairs, and she’s a tall lady. My heart flutters.
- Joan Cusack steals the show: “Can I get you anything, Mr. Trainer? Coffee, tea, or me?”
- I love that Jack lets Tess take the lead in their wedding-crashing antics. Sure, he’s a bit nervous (“You’re like one of those reckless cops, right? The kind no one wants to ride with because their partners end up crazy”), but he’s game.
- Chris de Burgh’s “Lady in Red” plays at the engagement party—downloaded! Sometimes, I just want to sob in the tub while doing an apricot scrub, just like back in eighth grade.
- On Tess’s first day, Harrison Ford packs her lunch in a retro tin box with an apple and freshly sharpened pencils—adorable!
- Finally, when she lays down the ground rules with her new assistant (“I don’t expect you to fetch my coffee unless you’re getting some for yourself”), it feels like all barriers for women in the workforce just vanished.
- Right?
This article originally appeared on July 10, 2015.
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Summary:
In revisiting ‘Career Gal,’ I found myself reflecting on the film’s themes of ambition, relationships, and workplace dynamics through a modern lens. While the nostalgia was strong, the lessons about navigating sexism and the importance of self-advocacy still resonate today.