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Starstruck
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Australia New Wave musical has lots of energy, plus smoking.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
Jackie (Jo Kennedy) has big hair, a big voice and big dreams -- of becoming a pop sensation. All she needs is a big break in STARSTRUCK, an Australian release from the early 1980s that features several spontaneous musical numbers that look like early MTV-style music videos. When a local TV producer catches her act, it looks like Jackie might be on the verge of the big time. But what will she have to give up to achieve success? And will she and her cousin/manager Angus be able to save the family business from the bank?
Is It Any Good?
STARSTRUCK is a time capsule into 1982, with its hairspray, thin ties, bright tights, and vibrantly colored dance numbers. It's also got some catchy songs, as well as a few that haven't aged very well and seem like, well, old, so-so synth-pop numbers. The plot is pure hokum — hey kids, let's put on a show to raise money to save the family business! — but it's mostly set up as a framework for the musical sequences.
Kennedy is appealing as a spunky would-be singer, but the songs aren't as fun as they might have seemed three decades ago. Same goes for the film, which is most entertaining as a look at the past.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the message of the film. What kind of person is Jackie? How does she stay true to herself despite pressures? What are her character traits -- both positive and negative?
How well do you think this film has aged? Do the music and styles from the early 1980s seem stylish today, or dated?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 10, 1982
- On DVD or streaming: July 26, 2005
- Cast: Jo Kennedy , Ross O'Donovan
- Director: Gillian Armstrong
- Studio: Blue Underground
- Genre: Musical
- Topics: Friendship , Great Girl Role Models , Music and Sing-Along
- Run time: 95 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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