Can't Buy Me Love

Can't Buy Me Love

By

  • Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
  • Release Date: 1987-08-14
  • Runtime: 94 minutes
  • : 6.9
  • Production Company: Apollo Pictures
  • Production Country: United States of America
    • Watch it NOW FREE
6.9/10
6.9
From 663 Ratings

Description

Nerdy high schooler Ronald Miller rescues cheerleader Cindy Mancini from parental punishment after she accidentally destroys her mother's designer clothes. Ronald agrees to pay for the $1,000 outfit on one condition: that she will act as though they're a couple for an entire month. As the days pass, however, Cindy grows fond of Ronald, making him popular. But when Ronald's former best friend gets left behind, he realizes that social success isn't everything.

Trailer

Reviews

  • John Chard

    7
    By John Chard
    Whatever happens to your popularity, stay yourself, don't change to please others. Can't Buy Me Love is directed by Steve Rash and written by Michael Swerdlick. It stars Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson. Music is by Robert Folk and cinematography by Peter Lyons Collister. Plot has Dempsey as nerdy outcast Ronald Miller, who fed up of not being popular pays Cindy Mancini (Peterson), the most popular girl in school, one thousand dollars to be his girlfriend. The 1980s was awash with films of this ilk, the teen dramedy topped up by a big hearted message and a finale of punch the air worth. What it all comes down to is if the film can hold its head above water, not become too twee, and crucially have you smiling come the finale. As evidenced by its popularity among 80s cineastes of a certain age, Can't Buy Me Love delivers all that you expect from such fare. The core theme is of course self acceptance, the attainment of such in amongst the scary world of teenage school years. This shines bright in spite of some rather unconvincing dialogue and contrived corny moments. Director Rash just about holds it together, ensuring that the charm of the lead actors holds weight for character engagement, even though for thematic depth the screenplay only skims over the surface. The teenage dramedy would evolve considerably once the 80s was left behind, becoming more biting, daring and observational. Yet for those who lived and loved this type of film in the 80s, there's a lovely nostalgic glow to be gleaned from revisits to the likes of Can't Buy Me Love. Nothing wrong with that. 6.5/10

Recommended Movies

  • Summer School

    Release Date: 1987-07-22

    Vote Average: 6.4

    Media Type: movie

  • Son in Law

    Release Date: 1993-07-02

    Vote Average: 6

    Media Type: movie

  • Happy Together

    Release Date: 1989-05-04

    Vote Average: 5.7

    Media Type: movie

  • 18 Year Old Virgin

    Release Date: 2009-01-20

    Vote Average: 3.858

    Media Type: movie

  • The Open Road

    Release Date: 2009-02-07

    Vote Average: 5.3

    Media Type: movie

  • Beauty and the Beast

    Release Date: 1987-04-01

    Vote Average: 6.3

    Media Type: movie

  • Hot Pursuit

    Release Date: 1987-05-08

    Vote Average: 5.8

    Media Type: movie

  • Mad Love

    Release Date: 1995-05-26

    Vote Average: 5.179

    Media Type: movie

  • Rocky Horror Show Live

    Release Date: 2015-11-17

    Vote Average: 7.2

    Media Type: movie

  • Fragile(s)

    Release Date: 2007-06-20

    Vote Average: 5.2

    Media Type: movie

keyboard_arrow_up