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IMDbPro

Working Girls

  • 1986
  • Unrated
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
Working Girls (1986)
A day in the life of several prostitutes in an upscale Manhattan whore house. The film is a stark portrayal of the women prostitutes, the male customers and the motivations of both. Watch as the madam manipulates her "girls". Watch as she answers the phone by saying "Hello John, what's new and different?" Watch as the "johns" try to manipulate the "girls". Part nudie exploitation, part sociological thesis.
Play trailer1:16
1 Video
64 Photos
DocudramaWorkplace DramaDrama

A lesbian college graduate, trying to bankroll her own photography business, works as a high-priced New York City escort.A lesbian college graduate, trying to bankroll her own photography business, works as a high-priced New York City escort.A lesbian college graduate, trying to bankroll her own photography business, works as a high-priced New York City escort.

  • Director
    • Lizzie Borden
  • Writers
    • Lizzie Borden
    • Sandra Kay
  • Stars
    • Louise Smith
    • Ellen McElduff
    • Amanda Goodwin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    2.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lizzie Borden
    • Writers
      • Lizzie Borden
      • Sandra Kay
    • Stars
      • Louise Smith
      • Ellen McElduff
      • Amanda Goodwin
    • 19User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:16
    Trailer

    Photos64

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    Top cast31

    Edit
    Louise Smith
    Louise Smith
    • Molly
    Ellen McElduff
    Ellen McElduff
    • Lucy
    Amanda Goodwin
    Amanda Goodwin
    • Dawn
    Deborah Banks
    • Diane
    Liz Caldwell
    • Liz
    Marusia Zach
    • Gina
    Boomer Tibbs
    • Bob
    Eli Hasson
    • Voice of Hasid
    • (voice)
    Tony Whiting
    • Voice of Gina's Client
    • (voice)
    Richard M. Davidson
    • Jerry
    • (as Richard Davidson)
    Ronald Willoughby
    • John
    Paul Slimak
    • Jay
    Frederick Neumann
    Frederick Neumann
    • Fantasy Fred
    • (as Fred Neumann)
    Patience Pierce
    • Kathy
    Grant Wheaton
    • Robert
    Richard Leacock
    Richard Leacock
    • Joseph
    Martin Haber
    Martin Haber
    • Don
    Carla-Maria Sorey
    • Debbie
    • Director
      • Lizzie Borden
    • Writers
      • Lizzie Borden
      • Sandra Kay
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews19

    6.82.3K
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    Featured reviews

    9mwittier

    Bongo wants to take a show.

    Working Girls (not to be confused with the singular and singularly awful Mike Nichols movie that features Melanie Griffith vacuuming a carpet, nakedly) is an easily underestimated accomplishment, and despite the rampant nudity and unblinking depictions of adult sexuality, a guaranteed sex-deterrent.

    It's hilarious, embarrassing, grim, deeply disturbing, cynical, touching, clinical and creepily locker-room-intimate, all at the same time.

    There will be those people who can't make it past the low budget vibe that (admittedly) permeates the whole movie, but anyone who criticizes its occasionally stilted acting (and it's an easy target) misses the point: it's PROSTITUTION. Which is to say that paid sex is possibly the root source of all bad acting. Even having said that, the performances are deceptively understated in their squirmy, quasi-nude ease.

    The characters of Lucy and Dawn especially, are horrifically too-true. I walked around mimicking Lucy's idiotic "What's new and different?" for weeks. Dawn's gum-snapping hostility, and her impromptu James Brown imitation ("Good God, Mollie- you're a whoooore!") are as grating as they are winning. Singling these two actresses out is unfair though; their characters are especially dynamic, given that they're essentially opposing ends of the same spectrum of self absorption.

    Even the least likely supporting roles are realized with unexpected complexity. Witness Lucy, the house's madam, reprimanding Mary, a mousy new 'girl' for her unappealing wardrobe choice on her first night on the job. When Lucy reminds her condescendingly that she is to dress as though she "just came from lunch with her mother, and is on her way to meet her boyfriend for drinks", Mary replies in a small voice, with a discomfiting mixture of stubborness and shame, "This is what I wore."

    Possibly the most remarkable aspect of this movie is the realization that prostitution, at least at this elevated level (the 'girls' work in a clean, modern apartment, and schedule 'appointments' through phone ads listed mostly in upscale skin magazines) is just another daily grind, a job, plain and simple. Ellen McElduff's Lucy is every thoughtless, self-absorbed boss you've ever wanted to throttle; the difference is that she's seen you naked, and can talk about your sex life with no legal repercussions.

    That's glib, of course; each of the 'girls' is seen to struggle with the work, and what it means in a larger sense, politically and personally. Finally though, just as it seems uncompromisingly grim, the film sneaks in a remarkable twist. It's essential to watch to the very end of the closing credits though, or you might miss a moment that offers a lovely moment of reassurance, and tender domesticity.
    8blanbrn

    Plenty of skin, soft core porn!

    Just recently watched this independent film from 1986 called "Working Girls" and it kind of lives up to it's title showing how girls like this worked back in the day, yet while going thru it all return to life at the end of the work day or night shift. Set in New York city, it follows Molly who already has a family and live in female lover, yet on the side she moonlights as an escort in a house brothel which is ran by a madam. The scenes are blunt and call it erotic, exotic, and kinky as you see plenty of nudity and skin with little sex games that involve spanking, and being tied up!

    All Along the dialogue shows Molly and the other black bra wearing escorts talking and dealing with customers while trying to navigate life also. Overall interesting and provocative film one that any film buff should watch and see as it shows even still in the end that Molly and these go against the grain ladies all wear masks yet they return to normal life in the end.
    8lasttimeisaw

    Cinema Omnivore - Working Girls (1986) 7.9/10

    "Most refreshingly, WORKING GIRLS earnestly but also playfuly takes the stigma off the oldest profession, Borden shows stimulating rapport among the girls, albeit their manifold colorations, uncouth or soft-spoken, frigid or wide-eyed, they might not be each other's best friends after hours, but internecine competition is nonexistent among them whereas sisterhood prevails and they do not stint on camaraderie. It is also awkwardly funny when Molly has to hide her sapphic predilection from a new girl in a girl-on-girl show, who is mortally averse to lesbianism. Indeed, it is through those small vignettes Borden excellently gives us a capsule view of the sign of its times: homophobia, racism (a black girl cannot earn as much as her pale-skinned coworkers, even a black customer is prone to stiff a girl of his own race, the humiliation feels lacerating), and most stirringly, the male chauvinism that is the canker incubates our society's inveterate inequity, and also the unique connection between a prostitute and her clients, it doesn't necessarily be exclusively carnal, interpersonal communication burgeons among human beings every nook and cranny. Borden's overarching critique is on point, totally honest and prescient."

    read my full review on my blog: Cinema Omnivore, thanks.
    7theognis-80821

    A Night At the Office

    This documentary-like look at the life of a New York City brothel featured several amateur actors and one noteworthy professional: Ellen McElduff, who plays the officious madam. The primary character, "Molly," is attractive, sedate, sensible Louise Smith. The comings and goings of the johns include their personal requests, the most common of which is to meet outside the brothel, which Molly always deftly declines. Richard Leacock, the great documentarian and educator, appears as one of her clients, no doubt an inspiration to Lizzie Borden, who concerned herself with making an honest film about a subject, often glamorized or made maudlin in commercial cinema.
    7preppy-3

    Interesting

    A day in the life of a woman who is a prostitute in a brothel-a very high class brothel. Nothing really happens--her and the other girls sit around and talk and serve clients. The movie does not glamorize prostitution. It shows it as a grueling, painful and demoralizing job. The script is sharp and on-target and most of the performances are good. Not great film, but well-made.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The MPAA objected strongly to the scene where Molly is trying to insert her diaphragm but the scene was kept in as the film ultimately went out unrated.
    • Quotes

      Lucy: What's new and different?

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Over the Top/84 Charing Cross Road/Death Before Dishonor/Working Girls (1987)

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 20, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Chicas de Nueva York
    • Filming locations
      • Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Alternate Current
      • New York State Council on the Arts
      • The National Endowment for the Arts
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,777,378
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,777,378
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33m(93 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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