Plot: What’s it about?
When the 80’s began, it brought with it a slew of good films to start off the Reagan-era. And, thanks to some lapses in judgment by my parents, I recall seeing this as well as Caddyshack and Airplane! at the local drive-in. If you don’t know what a drive-in is, this film might not be for you. But, as I look back to a film that’s nearly half a century old (as of this writing), it’s clear to me how much has changed. It’s been gradual, of course, but watching films from a couple of generations ago makes things hit home a bit more. But that’s a topic for another time. Looking at the film in question, all I can say is that it’s about time we got this on Blu-ray. Even more odd is the fact that it was one of Warner’s more celebrated films of the time. Private Benjamin was nominated for three Academy Awards with both Goldie Hawn and co-star Eileen Brennan up for their respective roles (Hawn lost to Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner’s Daughter and Brennan to Mary Steenburgen in Melvin and Howard). But the wait is now over. Let’s dive in.
Judy Benjamin’s (Goldie Hawn) life is unfolding just as she’d imagined. She’s just been married for the second time, this one to Yale (Albert Brooks), a successful businessman who seemed to check all her boxes. But life has a way of dealing you a losing hand and when the newly-married couple decide to consummate, but it’s more than Yale’s heart can take. Shattered and broken, Judy doesn’t know what to do, so instead turns to a call-in radio show where she heeds the advice of a Psychiatrist (Harry Dean Stanton) who gives her the idea to enlist in the Army. Thinking it’s more of a vacation than a way of life, Judy is brought back to Earth when she meets Capt. Doreen Lewis (Eileen Brennan). The film then follows her journey through boot camp before getting into a much darker and weirder second and third acts.
To say that this was a role that Goldie Hawn was meant to play is an understatement. She’d essentially play the same role years later in Gary Marshall’s Overboard (with Kurt Russell), a somewhat more lighthearted version of this. However here she was essentially the spoiled J.A.P. who got a crash course of reality. And it worked. I’d alluded to the film’s later act in which she meets a charming doctor (Armand Assante), though the film goes in a darker direction. At any rate, social commentary aside, this one did work. As is the case with most films that have a basic training segment (Full Metal Jacket and Stripes come to mind), they’re the best part of the film. And eagle-eyed viewers will realize that P.J. Soles was in both this and the aforementioned Stripes. How nice.
Video: How’s it look?
Given the popularity of the film, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher to figure out why it’s taken this long for the movie to appear on Blu-ray. Adding further fuel to the fire is the fact that it was given a new 4K transfer…only to be released in Blu-ray. I’m sure there’s some studio formula as to why and how that can happen, but I digress. If memory serves, the old DVD was an open matte/full-frame image that, well, left a lot to be desired. Thankfully you can retire that old disc as we’ve got a proper 1.85:1 AVC HD transfer that shows us how the film was meant to be seen and gives us a bump in detail and color along the way. Watching older films give me an appreciation for how differently they were shot. The lighting, the angles, everything now has to be broad, sweeping shots that look so intricate – they come off with no personality. While Private Benjamin looks the best it ever has, it still doesn’t hold a candle to some modern-day releases. And I’m OK with that.
Audio: How’s it sound?
This isn’t a movie that’s made to showcase the extent of your A/V system. Rather, the DTS HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono mix is there simply to get the job done. And it does. Given the limitations of the audio mix, there isn’t a lot of ambiance going on, rather the vocals take front and center giving us a nice, well-rounded mix that’s sure to please. Nothing more or less.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Private Benjamin TV Series – Two episodes of the short-lived Private Benjamin TV show are featured in their entirety.
- Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
I haven’t seen this movie in decades. Admittedly, I do get a lot more of the jokes now and I found that the film has aged fairly well. There are some pretty non-PC things going on, but given when the movie was made – it was a little more “acceptable.” Warner Archive has given us a great-looking transfer from a new 4K scan and the extras, while a bit scant, are a welcome as well.
