Rich Girl was released by the blink and you missed it "Studio Three Film Corporation" in May of 1991 to little box office and then onto RCA Columbia Home Video that December (Remember when it took at least 6 months or more for a movie to hit Home Video?) They changed up the artwork for the VHS to cash in the success of Pretty Woman, emulating that hit film's poster art.
Even though Rich Girl is a B movie at heart (and a thinly veiled Dirty Dancing clone by way of Modern Rock 'N Roll) I find it impossibly charming. Thanks to a spirited performance by the eternally cute Jill Schoelen and the brooding Don Michael Paul, you can't help but end up really caring about it's nutty characters who are trapped within the confines of the routine plot of girl who falls for boy from the wrong side of the tracks.
Rich Girl's tagline: "He was like nothing she'd ever known. And everything she'd ever wanted."
Rich Girl absolutely wins me over every single time I watch it, and against all odds has become a real favorite over the years. Because after all I have here to enjoy: Very catchy music that felt dated even in 1991 to listen to, Cherie Currie from The Runaways playing a drug addled member of the band, sleazy coke head ex-boyfriends trying to stop blossoming love, that guy from Flashdance who plays a club owner in every movie and always seems to be named Rocco, talk of playing the Spanish Guitar, sleazy coke head topless groupies, the principal from The Breakfast Club playing a jerk once again, the timeless tradition of the rebel with a motorcycle, a sub-plot stolen right out of Pretty In Pink, Schoelen looking for a job montage and so much more.
The aforementioned coke head sleazy ex-boyfriend. But you probably figured that out already.
This picture show is kinda up there for me with the 1987 Ally Sheedy Fairy Tale MAID TO ORDER. In fact, they'd make a killer double feature. You'll have to track down Rich Girl as it shamefully hasn't been released on DVD. But if you're in the mood for something very late 80's feeling with charm and cheese to spare, give the crazy mixed up kids of Rich Girl a try.
Rich Girl's tagline: "He was like nothing she'd ever known. And everything she'd ever wanted."
The aforementioned coke head sleazy ex-boyfriend. But you probably figured that out already. 
8 comments:
Totally underrated movie, but then again, you know I love this one. I think it's kind of wonderful, without trying to be more than what it is (as you said, it's simply a B movie). It's so unpretentious in its effort and like all good romances, it's sweet and full of heart. I have seen this one a gazillion times and never get tired of it!
You sold me! Not only with the mention of Don Michael Paul (great in Lovelines), but Cherie Currie, cheesy music, and coke head groupies.
LiteMalibu-
I'm glad you're sold on this. Rich Girl's fan club may be small, but we rock hard ;)
Don Michael Paul? That is the stupidest name I've ever heard. It's like 3 first names that don't go together.
I agree it's not the best name, but since he's had a career in Hollywood and we haven't, DMP must know something we don't.
Michael: I've given you an award for being a Creative Blogger. Check out my post at:
http://filmfather.blogspot.com/2010/03/he-likes-me-he-really-likes-me.html
I remember in this movie and Alien from LA, Don Michael Paul struck me as Rick Springfield with a dash of Mark Harmon. I've always wondered if Seagal watched this before he agreed to act in Half Past Dead, which Paul both wrote and directed.
And he wrote Harley Davidson And The Marlboro Man I believe. That was quite a picture show!
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