An Officer and a Gentleman (R, 1982)

In AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, Zack Mayo's (Richard Gere) mother commits suicide, and he's left to be raised by his drunken philandering soldier father. Unfortunately, Zach's dad treats him more like a drinking buddy than a son. After college graduation, Zack follows in his father's footsteps by enlisting in the Navy's flight school. The majority of the film chronicles Zack's time in basic training -- the friends he meets, the battles he fights, the mistakes he makes, his inability to fully commit to girlfriend Paula (Debra Winger), and the father figure he finds in Sgt. Foley (Louis Gossett Jr.).

At the heart of An Officer and a Gentleman is a boys-becoming-men theme, as well as father-son relationships, be they in the form of an alcoholic parent or an intimidating drill sergeant. Herein lays the film's most problematic message -- that physical intimidation, psychological bullying, and outright degradation are okay in the frame of military service.

In this equation, women are depicted very poorly. Paula and Lynette are painted as trashy, scheming girls on the make. They try to entice soldiers into sex, marriage, and commitment against their will. The vulgar language, sexual overtones, and predatory nature of these relationships make this film too intense for young viewers. At the same time, families who watch this together could discuss these behaviors -- and how they relate to both men and women in the military.

Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Taylor Hackford
Cast: David Keith, Debra Winger, Richard Gere
Genre: Drama
Run time: 124 minutes
Theatrical release: July 28, 1982
DVD release: December 12, 2003
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: language and nudity