G.I. Jane (1997)
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A woman undergoes grueling special operations training to become the first female member of an elite Navy unit.
The story
Following a Senate inquiry into the lack of gender neutrality in the Navy, a deal is struck: if women can prove themselves in a series of test cases, they will be integrated into all Navy occupations. Lieutenant Jordan O'Neil is selected as the first female candidate for the U.S. Navy Combined Reconnaissance Team. To succeed, she must endure a grueling selection program led by the enigmatic Command Master Chief John James Urgayle. The training involves 20-hour days designed to break the recruits' physical and mental strength. O'Neil must fight to maintain her position and prove her capability against both the elements and the skepticism of her male peers.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After being selected for the Navy's elite training, Jordan O'Neil faces a grueling selection program. She refuses to be given a 'gender-norming' allowance and earns the respect of her peers and her superior, Master Chief Urgayle, after a physical confrontation during 'hell week.' As she becomes a media sensation known as 'G.I. Jane,' she faces trumped-up charges of fraternizing with women, orchestrated by Senator Lillian DeHaven, who used O'Neil as a political bargaining chip. O'Neil refuses to take a desk job and is restored to the program after threatening to expose DeHaven's motives. During the final phase, an emergency involving a satellite with weapons-grade plutonium in the Libyan desert requires the trainees' assistance. O'Neil demonstrates superior leadership and strategy during a rescue mission in a 'kill zone.' The mission is successful, and O'Neil is officially accepted into the CRT and awarded the Navy Cross by Urgayle.
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 124
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ridley Scott
- Writers
- David Twohy · screenplay; Danielle Alexandra · screenplay; Danielle Alexandra · story
- Cast and characters
- Demi Moore · Lieutenant Jordan O'Neil; Viggo Mortensen · Command Master Chief John "Jack" James Urgayle; Anne Bancroft · Senator Lillian DeHaven; Jason Beghe · Lieutenant Commander Royce Harper; Scott Wilson · Captain Salem; Lucinda Jenney · Lieutenant Blondell; Morris Chestnut · Lieutenant McCool; Josh Hopkins · Ensign F. Lee "Flea" Montgomery
- Genres
- action; drama; political thriller; war drama
- Themes
- gender equality; military training; determination
- Setting
- A military training facility and the Libyan desert.
- Premise and plot tags
- military; female lead; action
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews, though it was noted for its 'stylistic bombast' and 'jingoism.' Demi Moore's performance was praised by some, though she won a Razzie for the role.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 54% · scale: percentage · review count: 39; Metacritic · score: 62 · scale: 100 · review count: 21
- Awards and nominations
- Razzie Award · Worst Actress · win
- Production trivia
- Demi Moore called the film her proudest professional achievement.; The film grossed over $22 million in VHS and DVD rentals.; The film was released on LaserDisc with an audio commentary by Ridley Scott.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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