Gimme an 'F'

My review was written in November 1984 after a mall screening in Boca Raton, Florida.

"Gimme an 'F'" unsuccessfully converts the once-popular cheerleaders exploitation film format ("The Cheerleaders" and "The Pom Pom GIrls" a decade or so ago) into an intended dance-oriented romp. Pic is unlikely to warrant a national release following its current regional bookings by distrib 20th Century Fox, and should play better on pay-cable.

Debuting feature director Paul Justman, who displays solid technical skills, has a meager premise to work with in Jim Hart's script. Story revolves around an annual clinic and competition for school cheerleading teams, held at Camp Beaver View, run by Bucky Berkshire, a/k/a Dr. Spirit" (John Karlen, hamming it up in the principal older-generation role). Berkshire, who is working on obtaining Japanese financial backing for a chain of boutiques, bets his top instructor Tom Hamilton (Stephen Shellen) $10,000 that he can't get the Moline Ducks squad to win over the powerhouse Fudge High Falcons. If he loses, Hamilton must work another five years for Berkshire.

Teen antics and sexcapades at the camp are extremely mild, with film erring in offering almost no nudity for its target youthful/drive-in audience. In keeping with the recent hit "Footloose", there is an interesting role reversal, in which lead Shellen dances sexily in his underwear in a shower while femme cat secretly watch voyeuristically.

Dance numbers are overproduced, with the Ducks' predictable blossoming from awkward, mousy types to sexpots on stage coming off as unbelievable. Also, the use of dance doubles for several of the lead players is obvious. Thesping is adequate in context and musical score serviceable.

Okay, I'm kidding, the film is a cheap "Meatballs" ripoff that's beyond bad. I had to see it because I went to junior high school with one of the female leads, a snotty actress who thought she was going to be the next Meryl Streep. This was as far as she ever got. I suspect she now thinks she did one movie too many. Hahahaha! Neener neener! That inside joke is the biggest laugh you'll get from this movie.

you know, these people that criticize this film for its lack of true humor, plot and skilled acting are really missing the wonder of this film. the donut smashing scene alone is enough to garner many a critical award, but honestly, the full on 80s dancing in the steamy wooden camp shower scene, replete with gawking big-haired 80s cheerleaders is enough to sit through the entire 120 minute viewing session on comedy central (alas, it hasn't been shown for years, either.) i really don't know where one can see this movie again, unless they buy it off of ebay, but its not a meatballs rip-off. its so much more than that. a guy dresses up in a viking outfit and passionately rips a weiner with his teeth for the love of god. its not even troma. is golden.

Maybe you'd have to be a person who was born in the early 80's or late 70's, but this film is classic. So many comedic elements that are funny either because they're blatantly intended or just unintended. Any of the bad acting that occurs that have been mentioned in previous reviews is fantastic. If you're the type of person that can laugh at certain specific bad acting, timing, scripts, etc. then believe me, this is one of those movies that entails such humours. I can't believe I haven't seen this 80's flick yet. Most of them are so great, but this one tops the cake :P. I highly recommend watching it drunk when you're more likely to be more open and accepting, as the way humans should be. =D Enjoy.

I love this movie as much or even more than I did as a teenager. It's silly & funny & sexy. It's just fun. I really love the performance scenes.