Private Benjamin (1980)

'Private Benjamin' is a military comedy from 1980 starring Goldie Hawn. The movie follows the story of Judy Benjamin, a pampered upper-class woman who joins the army after her husband dies on their wedding night. The film is divided into two halves, with the first half focusing on Benjamin's experiences in basic training and the second half exploring her journey to find independence and self-worth. While the basic training scenes are comedic and entertaining, the second half of the film is slower and less engaging. Goldie Hawn delivers a standout performance, carrying the comedy with her facial expressions and physicality. Eileen Brennan also shines as Captain Lewis, providing comedic moments and serving as an antagonist to Benjamin. Overall, 'Private Benjamin' is a premise-driven comedy that relies heavily on Goldie Hawn's talent. The film explores themes of independence, self-discovery, and female empowerment. It features memorable performances from Goldie Hawn and Eileen Brennan. The movie has some comedic moments, but the humor becomes less prominent in the latter part of the film. The supporting characters could have been given more depth and backstory. The movie received positive reviews and was a box office success, grossing $69.8 million domestically. Goldie Hawn's performance was praised, and she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film also spawned a short-lived TV series of the same name.