SATISFACTION (1988)

Directed By: Joan Freeman 
Written By: Charles Purpura 
Cinematography By: Thomas Del Ruth 
Editor: Joel Goodman 


Cast: Justine Bateman, Julia Roberts, Trini Alvarado, Liam Neeson, Debbie Harry, Michael DeLorenzo, Britta Phillips, Chris Nash, Scott Coffey 


A group of teenagers have a band, Mystery, with Jennie as the lead singer. They go to a bar at the coast and play during the summer. Jennie falls in love with the owner of the bar, Martin. They get an offer to play in Europe and perhaps become famous. But are they ready for it?

I am not going to lie. This film is a total guilty pleasure. I was dying to see this film when it came out in theaters and never got a chance to,but warped my videocassette of it. Which really wasn’t necessary as since Star Justine Bateman was still on their top rated show FAMILY TIES NBC played the movie all the time. As eventually did most second tier local stations and cable. Which makes sense as this was one of the few movies they produced originally to make it to theaters. Aaron Spelling also produced it which explains the more glossy look and being filled with pretty girls.

As it has very little objectionable material. Especially by today’s standards. I will admit I really only wanted to see the film because I liked Justine Bateman. When I saw commercials for the movie I looked forward to seeing it. Watching the movie now and I realize how bad the movie is. Though another film that is good for a time capsule look back at the late 1980’s. When it seemed everything and everyone was inauthentic, plastic, and neon colored.

In a way you can see this as a female empowerment film. That would pave the way for future female rock n rollers.the RIOT Girls

The film could be looked at as a film that provides girls with role models of a rebellious almost all girl band trying to make it. As various members are being pulled in different directions. Throughout the film they are forced to deal with different problems and situations including stealing a van from rough types from their neighborhood who come looking for them.

The film feels like a general studio version of the film FOXES. Where is read it growing apart in different directions and a death. We lighten up the characters angst and they grow up but ultimately stay together Instead. Here to have the soulful leader, then the tomboy tough girl who’s soft a bit on the inside. The lost stoner, the boy crazy one and the requisite classically trained male friend. In addition to all of this they do subpar renditions of popular songs. Which maybe can explain why they struggle to make it. But most can’t seem to get their break. Even When they are a bar band at best.

Justine Bateman sings all the real vocals in the movie and on the soundtrack. Britta Phillips was the only other cast member featured on the soundtrack singing background vocals and playing bass. She was also the singing voice on the animated children’s series JEM.

This is definitely a skeleton in the float movie for Liam Neeson playing an ex rock star/promoter and Julia Roberts (in her feature film debut) as the boy crazy gold digger member of the band.

Though she is a capable Actress one has to wonder if another reason actress Trini Alvarado was cast was because of her lead role in the teen cult rock n roll movie TIMES SQUARE.

I heard the song satisfaction for the first time during this movie. So this is the version I was introduced to and comes up in my head when I think of the song. Unfortunately the classic Rolling Stones version which is infinitely better comes second.

This film was written By Charles Purpura who wrote another coming of age film HEAVEN HELP US. which took place at an all boys catholic school and focused on the troublemakers.

This is a film that might be fun for teenagers and easily made fun of watching it today. It’s an excellent guilty pleasure. That seem to realize it’s limited appeal and audience.


Grade: D+