Private Benjamin (DVD)

...of my favorite films - Private Benjamin.

I've loved Goldie Hawn since I first saw her many years ago in her Oscar winning performance (for best female actor in a supporting role) in Cactus Flower. Certainly we all should have gathered by then that her career would either be a flash in the pan or a long and successful sun-like blaze. Thank goodness its been the latter!

In this film, Goldie plays the part of Judy Benjamin ...
...marry the man of her dreams - Yale Goodman (played by Albert Brook - best known for his sweating anchorman part in Broadcast News). The wedding is a huge success and everything seems to be going perfectly for the new bride when… while preparing to leave for their honeymoon, her husband dies during "the act" on the bathroom floor. One of the best lines in the film comes straight at the beginning when a relative of the dead groom insists ... more

No, this isn't a review of the Israel Defense Forces during the time of Golda Meir's term as Prime Minister. This is a review of Goldie Hawn in one of my favorite films - Private Benjamin.

I've loved Goldie Hawn since I first saw her many years ago in her Oscar winning performance (for best female actor in a supporting role) in Cactus Flower. Certainly we all should have gathered by then that her career would either be a flash in the pan or a long and successful sun-like blaze. Thank goodness its been the latter!

In this film, Goldie plays the part of Judy Benjamin a spoiled "JAP" (Jewish American Princess) who is about to marry the man of her dreams - Yale Goodman (played by Albert Brook - best known for his sweating anchorman part in Broadcast News). The wedding is a huge success and everything seems to be going perfectly for the new bride when… while preparing to leave for their honeymoon, her husband dies during "the act" on the bathroom floor. One of the best lines in the film comes straight at the beginning when a relative of the dead groom insists on hearing what his last words were. I'm sure you can imagine the reply, but Goldie Hawn has such perfect comic timing that even this cliché comes off as funny.

Her parents Teddy and Harriet, played by Barbara Barrie and the late Sam Wanamaker, do all they can to try to console her. But even shopping, and redecorating and spending money can't get Judy out of her depression. Then, one day while wandering the streets in a daze, Judy sees a poster showing how wonderful the army is for women, and in a fit of depression, she joins. Yes, the rich Jewish girl joins the US Army!

How could someone be that stupid, you ask? Simple - the brochures showed pictures of fancy "Condos" on the white beaches of exotic foreign lands as examples of the army barracks! Now, if that was being offered to you, plus full room and board, free clothing, a "spa-like health plan" and on top of all of this they told you that they would pay you to enjoy all of this, well, wouldn't you sign on too? OK, so we have to believe that Judy is a bit naïve and not what one would classify as a genius. No problem there, as this was one of Goldie Hawn's hallmark characters. But that just helps the premise of the story to not be as totally far-fetched as it seems on the outset. And that is consistently portrayed in this film from the opening right through to the last scene. Never in the whole film do any characters do anything to make us doubt that they aren't completely life-like.

There are some truly wonderful performances in this film. As mentioned above, Barrie and Wanamaker are absolutely perfect as Benjamin's parents. These parents spoil her just enough to make sure that she'll do whatever they want, but are only slightly shocked when she shows them she can act like an adult. There's a stellar performance by Eileen Brennan as the tough-as-nails drill sergeant, who may have a heart of gold, but she's not going to show it to her recruits. Watch out for a small but significant role played by Mary Kay Place (who started out on the TV comedy Soap Opera "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" and went on to have a small but successful career as a Country Western singer with the song from that show called "Baby Boy"). Place plays a more street-wise recruits who eventually befriends Judy Benjamin and together they learn how to cope and adjust to army life.

There are many comic opportunities in this film, and the script takes advantage of practically all of them. From down-right basic slapstick to sophisticated puns and everything in between, we are pulled along with a smile on our faces. It seems like this film just goes from one charm to the next. And since the fodder is so very fertile, you can just imagine what kinds of jokes can come out of a situation like this. Sure, there are some obvious parts. Goldie must come up against a tough drill sergeant, some tough (if not tougher) fellow soldiers, and challenges - both physical and emotional - that she's never had to face before in all of her sheltered, spoiled, days of luxury. But the honest handling of these challenges and difficulties is just what makes this film a real winner. It makes me think that the director of this film, Howard Zieff is extremely talented, but unfortunately he doesn't have much in the way of successful movie credits. I'd say that this movie might well be his crowning glory.

But I can hear you saying "this still sounds pretty clichéd". And you might be right. Let's look again at the basic plot. Poor little rich girl gets thrown by circumstance into a tough situation and has to grow up quick and show her real stuff in order to survive. Yes, we've been there, seen that all before. And if the movie had only been about that, it would still have been delightful because of the magical comedic talents of the actors. But there's another side to this movie, and, as trite as it may seem (remember, we're talking 1980 here), the script includes a slightly "coming of age" sub-plot. We get to know Judy and see her go from an insecure, silly, spoiled twit to a woman who is independent and confident, if still a bit spoiled, but now she knows how to get her way by using her wits and not with her whine - and this script is nothing if not witty in the extreme. So even the slightly corny ending that boarders on the predictable can't ruin this film. The truth is, this isn't your typical romantic comedy - mostly because there's very little romancing going on, although there is a bit. The "romance" here is so minor that I'd have to say that this is a straight comedy, but yet, it isn't. Oh, who cares, right?

As for the sound track and special effects, let's remember that we're talking about a comedy made in 1980. Back then, Hollywood was still paying less attention to music and special effects for their lighter films. So to talk about those would be useless. Let's just say that the music doesn't disturb your viewing and whatever special effects are included are realistic enough so that you don't feel like anyone is stretching reality here.

I'd say that anyone looking for a fun movie that's well written and has a good solid cast should watch this film - you won't be disappointed. I therefore highly recommend this film and suggest you take it out of your local DVD or video library soon! I think you'll agree with me that it deserves a Medal of Honor!

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Technical Stuff:
Run time for this film is 109 minutes, DVD Release Date: June 28, 1999, Classification 15 (because there's one tiny sex scene, where you can't see anything and lots of "naughty" language).

This film is available to purchase on Amazon.co.uk on DVD for £5.97 (used & new from £4.50).

ASIN: B00004CYR8
Amazon.co.uk Catalogue Number: D011075

DVD Features: • Special Feature Information:
° Interactive Menus
° Scene Access
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85 Wide Screen
• Available Audio Tracks: Mono
• Main Language: English
• Dubbed Language(s): French, Italian
• Sub Titles: Arabic, Dutch, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
• Hearing Impaired: English, Italian

Davida Chazan © October, 2002 - updated March, 2005
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