Shout! Selects delivers a fine treatment of this New Wave fueled teen romance
Not too long ago we reviewed the Shout Select release of Wild at Heart, one of David Lynch’s finest features, and one that showcases the more fiery absurdist tendencies of it’s lead, Nicolas Cage. It’s fitting then that these purveyors of boutique cinema follow up with a film that shows Cage’s work at the other end of the spectrum. An edgy teen romance directed by Martha Coolidge, that demonstrates his raw charm evident even right at the start of his career
Synopsis:
Nicolas Cage and Deborah Foreman star in the totally awesome comedy Valley Girl! When Julie Foreman (April Fool’s Day, My Chauffeur) dumps her preppy boyfriend, the last thing she expects is to find love with the rockin’ Randy (Cage). The future’s open wide for Julie… but when her disapproving friends (E.G. Daily, Heidi Holicker, Michelle Meyrink) find Randy to be grody to the max, she is caught up in a culture clash between her Valley lifestyle and her Hollywood punk.
Featuring a so-bitchin’ soundtrack packed with New Wave hits, Valley Girl is a sweetly romantic slice of 80s nostalgia from director Martha Coolidge (Real Genius). Are you going to love it? We’re, like, so sure!
Julie Richman (Deborah Foreman) is at another party with the same hot girls and strutting guys trying to vie for their attention when she notices someone different.Randy (Nicolas Cage) is a guy from the wrong side of the tracks, literally, outside the more affluent area and social circle to which Julie belongs, he makes for a refreshing contrast. After their initial encounter, a relationship blooms as he shows her a different person, and a different life to that which she is used to, while encountering resistance from another love interest as well as her friends and family.
Valley Girl deals with familiar fare, the “mis-matched boy meets girl tale” but is imbued with such charm and authenticity it sets itself apart. Martha Coolidge, working from a script by Andrew Lane and Wayne Crawford, delivers a true slice of high school in 80s California. The stereotypes and conflicts you’d expect are there, but given depth by the writing and an admirable cast. Cool kids, mall hangers, even the jocks, who in similar films might be mere caricatures, are fleshed out. There’s notably a hilarious framing of the guys with their popped collars, boat shoes, and their attitudes, a facet surely imbued by the keen eye of Coolidge. At it’s core, Valley Girl is about a romance, one that blossoms not just despite the culture clash, but because of it. This in the face of peer pressure and judgement from those around them, friends adhering to societal expectations and trying to enforce them, and the class/economic divide too.
Who better to embody a disruptive spirit than Nic Cage, who in one of his first leading roles makes a hell of a mark as Randy. With the attitude, aloof physicality, and moody drawl, you’re as drawn to him as Julie is. There’s a vibrancy to him, seeds of the chaotic presence that he’ll ramp up in later endeavors. His slickness is perfectly countered by the authenticity of Deborah Foreman as Julie. Undeniably alluring, but there is a true warmth to her, a facet aided by the contributions of Colleen Camp and Frederic Forrest as her parents, figures that feel far more real than most of the parents in teen dramas who help shape the underlying message of embracing individuality and emotion, and following your heart and not your head.
Much is made of the soundtrack and musical influences on the film, and rightly so. The burgeoning New Wave movement of the era is in full swing, punkish elements capture the other facets of the tale. Even the title is lifted from the 1982 Frank Zappa song. Coolidge’s use of music amounting to more than just needle drops, rather matching the moments. Her use of A Million Miles Away as the two lovers dance, the crowd around them disappearing from view as the camera closes in makes for a wondrous moment, one of many. Music reflects the era, it reflects the mood, all adding to the authentic sense of time and place, this breezy San Fernando valley bathed in Californian sun, humming to the New Wave beat.
The Package
Shout’s new release offers a 4K scan of the original film negative. After an opening that is a little grainy, it offers great detail, deep blacks and natural hues for organic material, while the vibrant 80s color is also well represented, giving the film a lush feel. It’s a little soft in parts but that’s likely part of the film’s aesthetic rather than down to the presentation itself. Overall it’s very well done, leaving a lot of the film’s character intact while delivering a clean look.
Special Features:
- NEW “In Conversation — Director Martha Coolidge with Actors E.G. Daily and Heidi Holicker”: Just under an hour in runtime and featuring a lively discussion between the director and two of her stars. It’s an insightful chat, especially with the strong female representation, who give a unique commentary on a few aspects of the production
- NEW “Greetings from the San Fernando Valley” (A short history of the iconic San Fernando Valley) Hosted by Tommy Gelinas of The Valley Relics Museum: A short history of the San Fernando Valley, the setting for the film. Hilariously pens with a interview with Cage sharing his thoughts on the region, which isn’t exactly positive, but it’s a rather cute addition with some nifty period photos and details
- New “Heidi Holicker: Show and Tell”: Only around 5 minutes but a rather sweet addition, where Heidi Holicker (Stacey) has Coolidge break down the story of a behind the scenes photograph, before delving in to sharing some other memorabilia from the film
- NEW Extended Interviews from 2003 with Nicolas Cage, Cameron Dye, Frederic Forrest, E.G. Daily, Colleen Camp, Lee Purcell, Producers Andrew Lane and Wayne Crawford, Peter Case of The Plimsouls, Josie Cotton, DJ Richard Blade, and more:
- Storyboard to Film Comparisons:
- Photo Gallery:
- Feature Length Audio Commentary with Director Martha Coolidge:
- “Valley Girl: 20 Totally Tubular Years Later”: A retrospective series of interviews with all the big names involved in front of and behind the camera
- “In Conversation: Nicolas Cage and Martha Coolidge”: A pretty darn entertaining chat between the pair as they look back on their work together and thoughts on the film
- “The Music of Valley Girl”: Cast and crew share their thoughts on the era’s music. Would have been nie to have included more of the musical talent represented in the film
- “The Girls”: Nearly 50 minutes of interviews with Elizabeth Daly (Loryn), Heidi Holicker (Stacey), and Martha Coolidge.
- “The Boys”: To compliment the above, nearly an hour of interviews with Nicolas Cage (Randy), Michael Bowen (Tommy), and Cameron Dye (Fred).
- “The Parents”: You get the pattern by now. 40 minutes of interviews with the wonderful Colleen Camp (Beth), Frederic Forrest (Steve), and Lee Purcell (Mrs. Brent).
- “The Bands”: Here we go! Great series of interviews with a host of musicians discussin the films soundtrack, including; Richard Blade (Former K.R.O.Q. D.J. Los Angeles), Peter Case (from band The Plimsouls), and Robbie Grey (from band Modern English), and Josie Cotton
- “The Producers — Writers”: Short interviews with Wayne Crawford (Co-Writer / Producer) and Andrew Lane (Co-Writer / Producer) who share their process in pulling the story and script together, and how Quentin Tarantino is apparently a big fan
- Music Videos: inc. Modern English — “I Melt With You” and The Plimsouls — “A Million Miles Away”
The Bottom Line
Valley Girl is something of a time capsule, offering a glimpse of 80s society, style, sexuality, sound, and the San Fernando valley. It’s also a well crafted romantic dramedy, one that allows it’s stars Nicolas Cage and Deborah Foreman an opportunity to shine. Shout Selects line not only delivers an fine new transfer of the film, but also a host of special features that run close to 6 hours. An impressive package that deserves attention.
Valley Girl is available via Shout! Factory from October 23rd
About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Studios, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Shout! Factory Films, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.