Overview
A young man's journey of self-discovery unfolds amidst the rigors of military training and unexpected romance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- romantic
- tough
- date night
- 1980s movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a character-driven, old-fashioned romantic melodrama that balances military training with a sweeping love story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Paula has little beyond her family, while the central relationship develops among blue-collar residents near the naval training base.
Zack must overcome his isolation and bad attitude under Sergeant Foley’s scrutiny while deciding what kind of life he wants.
Sergeant Emil Foley trains and evaluates Zack while forcing him to confront his weaknesses and assumptions.
Zack’s history as a Navy brat and his relationship with his father frame his effort to define himself through service, work, and love.
Films like An Officer and a Gentleman, and why
Flashdance
shared sweeping romance, working-class characters, emotional melodrama, and personal transformation
Top Gun
shared military training pressure, masculine self-discovery, and an uplifting romantic-drama register
Norma Rae
shared blue-collar romance, class tension, and earnest emotional catharsis
Movie Details
- Director
- Taylor Hackford
- Release Date
- 1982-07-28
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1239)
Cast
- Richard Gere
- Debra Winger
- Louis Gossett Jr.
- David Keith
- Robert Loggia
- Lisa Blount
- Lisa Eilbacher
- Harold Sylvester
- David Caruso
- Grace Zabriskie
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Paramount Plus Essential, MGM Plus
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is An Officer and a Gentleman about?
- A rebellious Navy recruit confronts military discipline, inherited wounds, and the demands of love while fighting to become the man he wants to be.
- What is An Officer and a Gentleman like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of An Officer and a Gentleman as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is An Officer and a Gentleman violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in An Officer and a Gentleman as mild.
- What did critics think of An Officer and a Gentleman?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a character-driven, old-fashioned romantic melodrama that balances military training with a sweeping love story.
- Which films are like An Officer and a Gentleman?
- Films with a similar feel include Flashdance, Top Gun, and Norma Rae.
- How long is An Officer and a Gentleman?
- An Officer and a Gentleman runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch An Officer and a Gentleman?
- In United States, An Officer and a Gentleman streams on Paramount Plus Essential, MGM Plus.
