“Private Benjamin” is a comedy film about a sheltered young woman from a wealthy background who impulsively joins the U. S. Army after her husband passes away on their wedding night. Goldie Hawn is in her comedic element as the leading lady clashing with her captain, expertly played by Eileen Brennan. The sparks and hilarity flies from there under the expert direction by Howard Zieff (“The Main Event” 1979) with a marvelous screenplay by Nancy Meyers, Charles Shyer, and Harvey Miller.
The supporting cast includes Armand Assante, Robert Webber, Sam Wanamaker, Barbara Barrie, Mary Kay Place, Harry Dean Stanton, Hal Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Albert Brooks, Richard Hurd, Toni Kalem, Alan Oppenheimer, Lee Wallace, Maxine Stuart, Lillian Adams, Sally Kirkland, and Alice Hirson, well known as Mavis Anderson of CBS-TV’s “Dallas” (1982-1988).
“Private Benjamin” was the sixth highest grossing picture of 1980 for producers Nancy Meyers and Goldie Hawn and Warner Bros. Studios. It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Actress (Hawn), Best Supporting Actress (Brennan), and Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen.
Private Benjamin (1980)
cinema
My Review
“Private Benjamin” is a comedy film about a sheltered young woman from a wealthy background who impulsively joins the U. S. Army after her husband passes away on their wedding night. Goldie Hawn is in her comedic element as the leading lady clashing with her captain, expertly played by Eileen Brennan. The sparks and hilarity flies from there under the expert direction by Howard Zieff (“The Main Event” 1979) with a marvelous screenplay by Nancy Meyers, Charles Shyer, and Harvey Miller.
The supporting cast includes Armand Assante, Robert Webber, Sam Wanamaker, Barbara Barrie, Mary Kay Place, Harry Dean Stanton, Hal Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Albert Brooks, Richard Hurd, Toni Kalem, Alan Oppenheimer, Lee Wallace, Maxine Stuart, Lillian Adams, Sally Kirkland, and Alice Hirson, well known as Mavis Anderson of CBS-TV’s “Dallas” (1982-1988).
“Private Benjamin” was the sixth highest grossing picture of 1980 for producers Nancy Meyers and Goldie Hawn and Warner Bros. Studios. It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Actress (Hawn), Best Supporting Actress (Brennan), and Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen.