Private Benjamin

Starring:Goldie Hawn, Eileen Brennan, Armand Assante, Robert Webber, Sam Wanamaker, Barbara Barrie, Mary Kay Place, Harry Dean Stanton, Albert Brooks, Alan Oppenheimer, Estelle Marlov, Everett Covin, Robert Hanley, Lee Wallace, James Dybas, Gretchen Wyler, Maxine Stuart, Lillian Adams, Sandy Weintraub, Tim Haldeman
Director: Howard Zieff
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

A pampered socialite (Goldie Hawn) is so distraught after the wedding-night death of her husband (Albert Brooks) that she up and joins the Army. She whines, she pouts, she brings the corps down, until, of course, she gets with it. Eileen Brennan received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role as the butch Captain Doreen Lewis, Benjamin's nemesis. Funny and winning, the film takes an odd turn when Benjamin is assigned to the international theater and gets involved with a dour Frenchman (Armand Assante). Of course, it's all part of Benjamin's growth as a person, and the part confirmed that Hawn had gone from a go-go girl to a "you go" girl. --Keith Simanton

Description

Goldie Hawn wins the Comedy Medal of Honor in this box-office smash about a pampered, upper-middle class princess who joins "today's Army." Eileen Brennen and Armand Assante co-star. Year: 1980 Director: Howard Zieff Starring: Goldie Hawn, Eileen Brennen, Armand Assante

Customer Reviews:

FORMAT.......2007-01-25

Why has this movie never been released in Widescreen format? I absolutely refuse to buy a movie in fullscreen format that was originally released in the theaters in widescreen. Let's face it folks, when a movie is viewed fullscreen a good part of the movie is missing. The exception to this is older movies that were actually realeased in theaters in this format. Other than that, it is a great comedy which I would love to own in it's original format.

Overrated, but still entertaining.......2006-10-11

Goldie Hawn gives an astounding performance as Judy Benjamin, a spoiled rich girl whose second husband just died six hours into their marriage. Not knowing where to go from there, she calls a radio call-in show to get advice from people. In the end, she meets an army recruiter who tells her to enlist. Judy does so, but only because the recruiter glamorizes the lifestyle to the point that he flat out lies. When she gets there, she gets a rude awakening.

The first half of the movie is the best half, highlighted by many slapstick fish-out-of-water scenes. You'll laugh hysterically at them, especially the scene where she is forced off the bus. Eileen Brennan is also great as Judy's commanding officer, a tough-as-nails and unsympathetic woman. What makes the film far from perfect is the second half. Judy decides to be the best soldier she can be, and becomes the best out of them all. When that is all said and done, the movie then becomes a romantic drama with some chuckle-inducing moments, but nothing that could be considered a guffaw. It also tends to clash with the first half of the movie, not making the movie as satisfying as it could have been.

Still, despite some glaring flaws, Private Benjamin is a good movie with a good story to tell. Unfortunately, what was probably a pretty daring look at gender rolls for its time has gotten really stale. If you overlook that, though, the movie is very entertaining. It's not quite as funny as it's made out to be, but it's pretty close.

One of Goldie Hawn's Best Comedies.......2006-08-15

Goldie Hawn has long had a knack for comedy. "Private Benjamin" is one of her best comedies. The "Jewish Princess" persona wears a little thin in a few places, but most of the time the comedy works well.

Judy Benjamin (Hawn) has led a pampered life. We learn this early in the movie when Judy becomes upset that the upholsterer has failed to find an obscure color for an ottoman. The movie proceeds to develop Judy's character as that of a woman that has received excessive luxuries from everyone in her life, with the only requirement that she be obedient. As we join the movie, it seems that Judy is about to get her life long wish. She is about to marry a man of great promise, her parents are thrilled, and she has tons of expensive wedding gifts. Unfortunately for Judy, the wedding night exertions are too much for her new spouse, and Judy finds herself a newlywed widow.

Judy learns that she is good for little. She is non-functional as a secretary. Judy is spoiled to the point of absurdity. She is unable to cook. I doubt she knows how to clean house. Judy realizes she needs to get her life moving along again, but she does not know how. A fortuitous phone call has Judy visiting an Army recruiter, where she learns that modern army life is full of beautiful bases, condos, and yachts, not to mention great medical benefits. Judy believes the recruiters picture of Army life, and heads off to basic training.

Basic training is filled with the lovely accommodating people that you might anticipate. Judy quickly learns that her recruiter misled her more than a lot. Captain Doreen Lewis (Eileen Brennan) initially makes Judy's life a living hell. Judy wants to quit the Army, but a visit from her parents makes Judy realize that she is tired of people pushing her around, so Judy turns into a model soldier.

Judy turns misfortune into embarrassment for Captain Lewis. Judy catches her current love interest Captain William Woodbridge (Craig T. Nelson) in a rather interesting position with a fellow recruit. Judy and a small band of misfits manage to take guard duty of a swamp and turn it into a major embarrassment of Captain Lewis, but glory for Judy and her gang. After Captain Lewis punishes the barracks once more for all the embarrassment she has received, Judy and her fellow recruits get their revenge with a little bit of dye.

Judy's life seems to have hit a turning point. She is in charge of herself and doing well. She turns another embarrassing incident into a European assignment. Judy soon finds the man of her dreams, again. Unfortunately, Captain Lewis also has an assignment at the same facility, and she still wants to make Private Benjamin's life as difficult as possible. Life becomes very interesting for Judy as she decides how to stay in control of her life.

This movie has far more humor than my mellow review would intimate. This movie has numerous one-liners that bring smiles all the way to serious laughs. Judy Benjamin complains to Captain Lewis that she signed up with a different Army, the one with the condos and the yachts. When a drill sergeant tells Private Benjamin that she is only permitted to stop running if she is puking, she does; on his shoes. When Captain Lewis tells Judy that she is not fit to wear an Army uniform, Judy replies that she has been trying to tell her that.

Goldie Hawn does an excellent job of bringing the role of Private Benjamin to life. She performed so well that she was nominated for a Best Actress in a Leading Role. Eileen Brennan was also outstanding, and was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Both nominations were well deserved.

This movie is rated R because it has several scenes that are bit risqué. Considering today's standards, an R rating seems a little excessive. Regardless, this movie is not a family movie.

The occasional bumpy spots in the movie are more than compensated for by the humor of the rest of the movie. This movie is one that I watch when I want light comedy with guaranteed funny jokes. After watching this movie a half dozen times, I suspect I will watch it many more times. Now, if they would release this movie in a wide screen format, this movie would be even better.

"...but I joined a 'different' army." .......2006-06-16

Goldie Hawn is just perfect as Judy Benjamin, a young woman who is torn to pieces after the death of her husband just six hours after saying their vows. Yes her husband dies right in the middle of making love to her. That's enough to make anyone a little nuts. While in this state of anxiety she calls up a local radio station under the persona of Jessica and laments about her situation. While the radio receives dozens of callers wanting to give their advice, it's one in particular that gets Judy thinking, and with a little persuasion she up and joins the army under the false impression that she'll have her own condo and, if things prove too hard for her, she can just up and quit whenever she wants. Little does she know, upon arriving at her base, she'll be bunked with quite a few other women (some of which are hardened criminals) and there will be no quitting for three years.

Worse yet is her Captain, Doreen Lewis (Eileen Brennan) who's determination is to make Judy's stay complete hell. Upon arriving Judy complains, she whines and fights and complains, tries to escape and, yes...complains, but after a meeting with her family and she understands just what they think of her she decides to take things a little more seriously, and she actually becomes quite good.

Through the course of the film she becomes a Thornbird and then, through no fault of her own, is transferred to the international theater in France where she rekindles a relationship with a French Obi-gyn (who obviously knows what he's doing if you get my drift) and then her relationship with her Captain who just so happens to be working in the same building as Judy, still determined to make her suffer. The remainder of the film has Judy making life altering decisions as to whether she wants to leave the army and start a life with her French lover (Armand Assante) or if she's willing to give him up for her career.

The entire cast is outstanding, but especially Hawn who lights up the screen with her charm and beauty. We all know where Kate gets it. This is a great movie about self growth and the ability to become more than what people expect of us. To her family Judy was always a screw-up, never making the right decisions, always needing to be bailed out of something, but throughout her stay in the army Judy became her own woman and proved to herself that she doesn't need anyone but herself. A wonderfully delightful slice of entertainment.

Goldie Hawn shines in Private Benjamin.......2006-05-20

Goldie Hawn shines in her first producing and starring role of Private Benjamin. The hilariously funny and witty comedy proves just how versatile this stunning actress can be. When Goldie meets her nemesis the tyrannical Captain Lewis who calls Goldie Princess the fun is just beginning. From the time Goldie cleans the bathroom with her electric toothbrush, to whining her way out of jumping out of an airplane this is definitely one of Goldie's finest moments. If you are Goldie Hawn fan and haven't seen this movie, you've been missing out.

Average customer rating:

wonderful to watch
So Cute!

Private Benjamin/Protocol
Starring: Goldie Hawn , Eileen Brennan , Armand Assante , Robert Webber , and Sam Wanamaker
Director: Howard Zieff , and Herbert Ross
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Overboard
Foul Play
Wildcats (Keepcase)
Arthur/Arthur 2: On the Rocks
Swing Shift

ASIN: B0009UZG3C
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Description

Goldie Hawn brings her charm and joy-buzzer appeal to two hilarious comedies. She's Judy Benjamin, make that Private Benjamin, who finds the U.S. Army doesn't quite offer the country-club atmosphere she expected. Oscar nominations went to Hawn (for 1980 Best Actress), costar Eileen Brennan (Supporting Actress) and Nancy Meyers, Charles Shyer and Harvey Miller (Original Screenplay). And ditzy cocktail waitress Sunny Davis (Hawn) finds that diplomatic immunity is not a vaccination as she brings uncommon sense to Washington and upends the rules of Protocol. Politics were never so much fun!

Customer Reviews:

wonderful to watch.......2007-03-09

Hillarious to watch. Goldie is a wonderful actress and these movies are sooooooooooooooooooo funny, i nearly wet myself laughing.

So Cute!.......2006-06-26

The item was just what we ordered -- good quality.
I had forgotten how cute these two movies are! We purchased them to watch before our daughter leaves for basic training after joining the military!

Average customer rating:

Detached beginning, then got good

Campion - Flowers for the Judge
Starring: Christopher Benjamin , Andrew Burt , Peter Davison , Brian Glover , and Barrie Ingham
Director: Michael Owen Morris
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Detectives | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Campion - Dancers in Mourning
Campion - The Case of the Late Pig
Campion - Sweet Danger
Campion - Mystery Mile
Campion - Look to the Lady

ASIN: B0001DMUG8
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Description

A highly valuable Congreve manuscript stored in the Golden Quill publishing company's safe, leads to murder. Campion, determined to prove his friend's innocence, digs deep and discovers hidden secrets of the company's staff. But will Campion find out who the murderer is before the murderer gets to him?

Customer Reviews:

Detached beginning, then got good.......2005-11-12

Maybe I was having a little trouble focusing on the plot, but the beginning seemed a bit unrelated to the rest of the show. May have been because this is the first time I've watched one of the Campion episodes. After the real sleuthing started things got better though. Although not on par with other top notch period detective shows (Nero Wolfe takes the cake there for me, Foyle's War is another excellent one) this one was pretty entertaining. The clues are not all presented to the viewer, so your chances of solving the case along with Campion are not too good, but the conclusion made sense. Lugg (his butler?) is very entertaining as his 'assistant' as well. There are better shows out there, but this is not a bad one, I will rent some more :)

Average customer rating:

FORMAT
Overrated, but still entertaining
One of Goldie Hawn's Best Comedies
"...but I joined a 'different' army."
Goldie Hawn shines in Private Benjamin

Private Benjamin [Region 2]
Starring: Goldie Hawn , Eileen Brennan , Armand Assante , Robert Webber , and Sam Wanamaker
Director: Howard Zieff
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Overboard
Protocol
Foul Play
Swing Shift
Wildcats (Keepcase)

ASIN: B00004CYR8

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

FORMAT.......2007-01-25

Overrated, but still entertaining.......2006-10-11

One of Goldie Hawn's Best Comedies.......2006-08-15

"...but I joined a 'different' army." .......2006-06-16

Goldie Hawn shines in Private Benjamin.......2006-05-20

Average customer rating:

Private Benjamin [Region 2]
Starring: Goldie Hawn , Eileen Brennan , Armand Assante , Robert Webber , and Sam Wanamaker
Director: Howard Zieff
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004VYL2

Average customer rating:

FORMAT
Overrated, but still entertaining
One of Goldie Hawn's Best Comedies
"...but I joined a 'different' army."
Goldie Hawn shines in Private Benjamin

Private Benjamin [Region 2]
Starring: Goldie Hawn , Eileen Brennan , Armand Assante , Robert Webber , and Sam Wanamaker
Director: Howard Zieff
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video