An Officer and a Gentleman - A Movie Review

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"An Officer and a Gentleman" is a romantic drama that was released in 1982. CAST Richard Gere - AOC Zack Mayo Debra Winger - Paula Pokrifki David Keith - AOC Sid Worley Robert Loggia - CPO Byron Mayo Lisa Blount - Lynette Pomeroy Lisa Eilbacher - AOC Casey Seeger Louis Gossett, Jr. - Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley Zachary "Zack" Mayo lives with his father, Byron, an alcoholic U. S. Navy chief boatswain's mate, in the Philippines. To put his life on a different track, Zack signs up for the Navy's Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) to become a navy pilot. Zack arrives at the U. S. Navy Cadet Training Camp outside Tacoma, Washington. The candidates are "welcomed" by head drill instructor, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley. As Foley puts it, the program is designed to weed out candidates who are not suitable to earn a commission as an ensign in the U. S. Navy and flight training worth over $1 million. Foley also warns about the "townies" who are looking for officers to marry and will get pregnant or fake pregnancy to obtain that goal. A few days later new friend Sid and Zack meet two factory workers at a Navy-sponsored dance. Sid meets Lynette Pomeroy; and Zack meets Paula Pokrifki. Drill instructor Foley feels that Mayo is not a team player and is not motivated. Zack has a side business of selling pre-shined shoes and belt buckles; and he's caught. Foley runs him ragged for an entire weekend to try to get him to DOR (Drop on Request), request termination of training. Zack refuses to give in. Foley tells him he can throw him out; but Zack, in tears, says he has nowhere to go. This is when we see the vulnerable side of Zack Mayo; and Foley backs off. If you want to know what happens next, you will have to watch the movie. This is an excellent romantic drama. I don't want to give away any more of the plot; but there is a lot of story left to tell...plenty of romance and a lot of heartache...and the writer and director make sure that the story is told so well. Louis Gossett, Jr. won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. I give this movie my recommendation. This movie is rated R. Photo Credit: Pixabay