WHO'S THAT GIRL?

US, 1987, 103 minutes, Colour.
Madonna, Griffin Dunne, John Mills, John Mc Martin, Bibi Besch.
Directed by James Foley.

Who's That Girl is a screwball comedy designed as a star vehicle for Madonna. She is in the central role, does an imitation of Judy Holliday and Marilyn Monroe and many other of the glamorous blonde comediennes of the past. She is well-matched by Griffin Dunne, reprising a role similar to that in After Hours. Sir John Mills makes a guest appearance.

The film is very similar to Bringing Up Baby (and its adaptation remake What's Up Doc). The film is directed by James Foley (Reckless, At Close Range).

While it is amusing, and Madonna sings the title song, and there are some humorous animated credits, the film is an average screwball comedy.

1. An enjoyable comedy? The American screwball tradition? An 1980s version? Comparisons with its predecessors?

2. A vehicle for Madonna? The Judy Holliday style? Marilyn Monroe? The song? Griffin Dunne and the frustrated yuppy? The quest appearance by John Mills?

3. The blend of the caper and farce? Comedy, the gangster tradition, the romance, the comedy with the animal?

4. Madonna as Nikki: her past story, being framed, in prison and her tough attitudes, getting out, the police following her, her going to Raoul, the gun? The encounter with Loudon? His task? Murray and her power over the cougar? Hex leading him a merry dance, the chases, the driving, his going to hospital? Raoul and Wendy? The night together? The bridesmaids? The visit to Montgomery Bell and his fancying her? The truth? The wedding and the expose of Worthington? Her causing mayhem at the wedding? The happy ending? The feminine role, type, strong personality?

5. Loudon: Griffin Dunne and his type, his subservience to Worthington, doing his job, in high society? His being a 'yes' man? The adventures with Nikki, his task, her elusiveness, the surprise with the cougar, the adventures with the cat and its disappearance, his searching for it, his searching for Nikki, Raoul? Trying to cope with Wendy, the ring? The bridesmaids? The night with Nikki? Facing the wedding? His going off with her? What a future?

6. Montgomery Bell, the eccentric Englishman, the cougar, his welcoming them?

7. Worthington and his business, Wendy and her friends, the preparation for the marriage, high society?

8. The contrast with Raoul and the criminals? Kidnapping Wendy?

9. The exposure at the wedding, the farcical comedy?

10. The comic features of the film? Dialogue? Situations? The battle of the sexes?