An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Director: Taylor Hackford, rated R for violence, language

Life gave him nothing, except the courage to win...and a woman to love.

Starring: Richard Gere, Debra Winger, David Keith, Louis Gossett Jr., Lisa Blount, Lisa Eilbacher, Robert Loggia, Tony Plana

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Don't you do it! Don't! You... I GOT NOWHERE ELSE TO GO! I got nowhere else to... I got nothin' else!" - Mayo when his drill sergeant threatens to kick him out of Officer training school

Why watch this? Louis Gossett Jr. is very convincing as the company's drill Sergeant.

Plot Summary: Zack Mayo is a troubled young man who enrolls in U.S. Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School hoping to become a fighter pilot. His intense training is overseen by the strict drill instructor Sergeant Emil Foley, who challenges Zack's rebellious nature and forces him to confront his personal demons. During this time, Zack also begins a romance with Paula Pokrifki, a local factory worker who hopes to find a way out of her small town.

Dad's Preview: This film was Gere's follow-up to his breakout film American Gigolo (1980). He plays Zack Mayo, a tough kid who, despite his father's objections, wants to be a Navy Officer and pilot. During Officer training, he falls in love with a local girl, Paula. His drill instructor is the harsh Gunnery Sgt. Emil Foley, and I mean, he pounds on his candidates. There are great performances from Gere and Winger, but it is Louis Gossett Jr., as Sgt. Foley, I enjoy the most. Kudos also to David Keith as Mayo's friend Sid.

Lorimar Productions; Paramount Pictures