She's in the Army Now (1981)

She's in the Army Now Poster

Akin to Private Benjamin, this comedy deals with the tough life of female army recruits going through basic training. Through their training they come to realize that there is more to being tough than having muscles.

Overview
"She's in the Army Now" is a 1981 made-for-television film directed by Hy Averback and written by Carol Saraceno. This film is a risible saga about 4 female volunteers who break traditional gender standards to join the United States Army. It stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Melanie Griffith, Susan Blanchard, and Julie Carmen playing the four lead characters.

Plot
"She's in the Army Now" starts with 4 unsuspecting females, Pvt. Rita Jennings (Jamie Lee Curtis), Pvt. Alice McKray (Melanie Griffith), Pvt. Luanne Curtis (Susan Blanchard), and Pvt. Maria "Rabbit" Rodriguez (Julie Carmen). Unassociated to each other, they randomly join the army on an experimental basis. They have various backgrounds and originate from various way of lives and cultures however are all united by their desire to serve in the armed force.

The film uses a point of view on the responses and challenges these women faced during their military training, with each female facing her own set of obstacles. There's comic relief in between, particularly offered the females's naivety and lack of fundamental military knowledge. However, in time, they adapt and start to stand out at their physical training and army life, smashing the conventional patriarchal expectations.

Characters and Performances
Jamie Lee Curtis's character, Pvt. Rita Jennings, is a wide-eyed naïve woman who trades her conservative life for the mayhem and discipline of the army. Curtis handles to convincingly represent the shift from a soft-spoken female to a determined hire.

Melanie Griffith as Pvt. Alice McKray brings an air of sass and wit to her character. A hopeful musician hesitant to accept the military courses, Griffith instills a sense of subtlety within this flamboyant character.

On the other hand, Susan Blanchard and Julie Carmen shine in their respective roles as Pvt. Luanne Curtis and Pvt. Maria "Rabbit" Rodriguez, bringing unique charm and guts.

Themes
"She's in the Army Now" clarifies the idea of equality and females empowerment. The movie demonstrates how women, in spite of facing many prejudices and stereotypes, can hold their own in a typically male-dominated environment like the military. It breaks down the stereotypes related to female soldiers and supplies an amusing, light-hearted viewpoint on the rigors of army training.

The humor comes naturally as the females face their difficulties head-on, right from boot camp to when they prove their performance in an extremely risky mission showing guts, grit, and camaraderie.

Conclusion
"She's in the Army Now" is certainly worth watching as it proffers an early example of a less typical story of females trying to find their feet and assert themselves in a typically male bastion. With its light-hearted nature and feminist undertones, "She's in the Army Now" offers an unique point of view on gender dynamics in the military. While it is amusing in lots of parts, it likewise has components of drama and feelings, making it a well-rounded watch.

Overall, the efficiencies of the lead actors integrated with the right mix of funny and severe messages about equality and perseverance make this film a satisfying watch.

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