Rating: 
Summary: Who's afraid of Sigourney Weaver?
Review: Working girl Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith, sporting some serious hair) is continuously being mistaken for a "coffee, tea or me?" kind of person when in fact she works hard, reads widely and studies nights to get ahead in the business world. But the sexist, class-conscious business world just won't take her seriously. Finally she hooks up with Katherine Parker (Sigourney Weaver), a successful but vulturous deal-maker with an elevated opinion of herself who knows how to use people. They set up a mentor relationship with Tess getting the coffee and Katherine spouting the words of wisdom. When Tess comes up with a good business idea, Katherine steals it.Enter soon after Jack Trainer (Harrison Ford) and we have our triangle. Katherine has broken her leg skiing and Tess has to fill in for her. When Tess discovers that Katherine has ripped off her idea, she decides to assume Katherine's accouterments, including her lavish apartment, her wardrobe, her hairstyle, and as it turns out, her boyfriend. Will she succeed, and will she find true love and happiness with the leading man? Inquiring minds want to know. Director Mike Nichols, auteur of a number of film land successes of more than average sophistication, including Postcards from the Edge (1990), The Graduate (1967), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966), etc. with help from screen writer Kevin Wade and Melanie herself, manages to create enough sympathy for Tess that we want her to win. Sigourney Weaver does such a fine job of being a kind of sociopathic villainess that we want her to lose. Guess what happens? While this is not on the same level as the three Mike Nichols flicks mentioned above, either in terms of cinematic significance or craftsmanship, it is clever and witty at times, and the story is one that most American women will find easy to identify with. And of course the winner gets Harrison Ford, displaying his usual bodice-busting charm. Only problem (aside from some smarmy pandering to a chick flick audience) is that the chemistry between Melanie Griffith and Harrison Ford is lacking. See this for Mike Nichols whose direction here can be described as just a working guy trying to make a buck and not doing a bad job of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Never Settle For Less.
Review: Melanie Griffith in perhaps her most endearing role ever, plays Tess, a NYC secretary with lot's of brains under her big hair of the 80s. ................ Tess has a fiance played by Alec Baldwin. When she comes home from work to find him in bed with a friend, she wipes the tears away, and sets out to make her mark in the business world. ............... Tess obtains an assistant job working for hotshot business woman Katherine played to the hilt by Sigourney Weaver. This turns out to be just as demeaning as working for lascivious male bosses, but in a whole new way. Tess plays the game, placating Katherine, but attempting to bring ideas to the fray in hopes of impressing her boss, and landing a promotion. Instead, Katherine attempts to steal Tess's ideas. ............... Realizing she's being played, Tess gets even when Katherine leaves town. She gets a businesswoman makeover from best friend Joan Cusack, new hair, and Katherine's dress. She has access to Katherines fancy apartment, and uses her equipment to impress Jack Traynor (Harrison Ford)a business executive. .............. The flirtatious interplay between Tess and Jack is a delight to watch unfold. Jack falls for the savvy businesswoman with a "Head for business, and a bod for sin." Problems arise when Katherine returns, since SHE has been cultivating Jack as husband material, unbekownst to Tess. ............. The games, one upmanship, and competiton between Tess and Katherine mount higher, with Katherine doing her very best to leave Tess drowning in the secretary pool. Tess must pull out all the stops to outwit her boss, convince the company bigwigs that SHE has the winning ideas, and, most of all, win Jack away from Katherine. ............ Mike Nichols, famous for his direction of 1967s classic "The Graduate", turns out a highly entertaining, delightful film. The three leads are wonderful, and the supporting cast lends the finishing touch. Who doesn't love a true "feel good" comedy that you watch with a smile on your face? "Working Girl" is, and does that. It's one of those modern day movies that has an old fashioned charm. It is at once adventurous, romantic and humorous in a wholesome way not seen too often anymore. It's a true "Cinderella" story brought up to date in a bustling Manhattan. ................. There is one irony herein. The closing of the movie, and the titles role while fixed on a shot of the World Trade Centers in all their glory. Originally, I assume we were supposed to look upon them as symbols of victory for the winning characters in the film. Unfortunately, now that the horror of 9/11 has taken away these icons of success and prosperity, the mood of happiness is dampened at the close in the knowledge that they're gone. However, I wouldn't have it any other way. "Working Girl", besides being a terrific film, also gives us a nice closing tribute to the WTCs, long may they live in our memories.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful script and story
Review: I would give it five stars if not for my bias against Melanie Griffith. Her constant throat-clearing and baby voice drives me to distraction. Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver and Joan Cusack are fantastic, however, and Carly Simon's "Let the River Run" deserved the Oscar.
Rating:
Summary: AFI's Great Love Stories: #91 Working Girl
Review: Now, first off, let me make it clear that I like this movie. Whenever it is on the tube, like it was tonight, I will make a point of watching the end of the film just to see the part where Melanie Griffith's Tess McGill realizes that she has just made her dream comes true and turns her head slowly to look at her office (see: Tear Jerker Scenes, below). Plus Carly Simon's "Let the Rivers Run" is one of her best songs and a great song to open and close this film. But one of the things I remember about this 1988 film is that Griffith received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress instead of Susan Sarandon for "Bull Durham." Griffith is good, but Sarandon was better. For that matter, "Working Girl" is good, but "Bull Durham" is better, which means it should have been on AFI's list. Granted most people would probably take Harrison Ford over Kevin Costner (although it was a closer call back in 1988), but Sigourney Weaver versus Tim Robbins is a real hard call for the third part of the love triangle. This rags to riches story focuses on secretary McGill, who has her eyes set on moving on up in the world of big business. When she is hired by Katherine Parker (Weaver), Associate Partner for Mergers & Acquisitions at Petty Marsh (good name) she thinks the glass ceiling has opened up. But it turns out her friendly female boss has been stealing her ideas. When Katharine is away, Tess gives herself a make over and starts playing with the big boys, in particular Jack Trainer (Ford), a Partner with Dewey Stone. Of course they end up mixing love and business, but it turns out to be a small world because it seems Jack and Katharine have been dating. The fantastic Joan Cusak plays Cyn, Tess's best bud, while Alec Baldwin is Mick Dugan, who is definitely not the man of Tess's dreams. Keep your eyes open for Kevin Spacey as the lecherous Bob Speck, Olympia Dukakis as the Personnel Director, and David Duchovny as Cyn's Engagement Party Guest. Tear Jerker Scenes: (1) "No, Miss McGill. That's your office. in there." Most Romantic Line: Actually the most romantic part is when Jack packs Tess's lunch for her first day of work, but the big lines are: (1) "I have a head for business and a bod for sin. Is there anything wrong with that?" and (2) "You can bend the rules plenty once you get to the top, but not while you're trying to get there. And if you're someone like me, you can't get there without bending the rules." Well, the title is "WORKING Girl," people. If you like "Working," then check out these other films on AFI's list: #74 "Woman of the Year" and #12 "My Fair Lady." Why? Because "Woman of the Year" is also about the travails of love in the work place and "My Fair Lady" is about transformation. Tess McGill gets bonus points for doing the Galatea bit without the help of Pygmalion.
Rating:
Summary: Oddly Attracting, Somewhat oddly Deterring.
Review: 1988's "Working Girl" had everything to appeal to all different kinds of people, and many things (Including I think the Star), to give a blow to a viewer's love of the movie. Melanie Griffith has done wonderfully in films like "Milk Money", and even "Bonfire of the Vanities"...the infamous star-packed movie that ultimately didn't live up to it's potential. Griffith though was poorly chosen for this role, giving too-much air-headedness if you please, to a character who should've had more on the ball to get where she ended up in the movie. Obviously winning several awards for the role, more people thought differently, but I think that Griffith's lack of knowledge about everything makes the movie a little too fantasy-like. She plays secretary Tess McGill, who strives from the guidence from close friends, struggles from broken relationships and starts to make her way out from behind her desk when she meets and falls in love with successful banker Harrison Ford. The plot line is well thought up, and well played out by the powerhouse actors (Griffith, Ford, Alec Baldwin and Sigourney Weaver). Joan Cusack gives one of a string of her fabulous performances to come in the many years, earning Joan her first Oscar Nomination. A role that was unfairly lost to Geena Davis at the ceremony, leaving Joan still the most unappreciated true talent in the 8 years prior to the film. In my opinion, Melanie Griffith is rescued from dead-air by the charm and wit of Harrison Ford, and the pleasing and wonderful physical and emotional presence of Joan Cusack, playing Griffith's street-wise and comforting friend and collegue. I would've loved to see Joan with more air-time, Griffith with slightly less and maybe a more mature approach to her rise to the top that might have given this great movie even more potential. It's a great, sweet story of love and work though, well played out with a 95% great cast. It's definately worth a few looks, "Working Girl" deserves all the positive feedback it's gotten in 13 years...and Joan deserves her Oscar. My review, I hope not too opinionated.
Rating:
Summary: Breaking through class-structure barrier -- Charming!
Review: Melanie Griffith shines as the struggling office worker trying desperately to climb even half a notch on the social ladder. Harrison Ford makes a pass at her at a bar, not knowing that Melanie just started to work for his corporate tycoon-fiance (played by Segourney Weaver). Melanie thinks that working for a woman (instead of a man) would be different, but soon finds out that a female boss respects her no more than males did, and she even steals Melanie's ideas, then signs her name to them! In the end what is right remains right, Melanie at last has arrived on top of the dog-eat-dog corporate world, and of course gets her man! -- This movie can be grouped with "Pretty Woman" and "9 to 5". Although not made to be funny, the script is wonderful and ensures entertainment throughout. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Sly, Funny and Romantic!
Review: This film takes a gritty look at men and women in the working environment who will do anything to climb the corporate ladder. Melanie Griffith is charming and has her best roleas the ditzy but smart secretary. Sugourney Weaver is also a lot of fun to watch as Griffith's slimy boss who steals her idea. Harrison Ford is also great and makes a great transgression into light comedy. Alec Baldwin, Oliver Platt and especially Joan Cusack are superb. Also this film is one of the few who captures all the glamour and feel of the 80's. A terrific cast and a charming story make this one extremely enjoyable. Maybe not artistically valuable but a lot of fun. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film an 8!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful feel good movie
Review: I love this movie!!! It shows the dog eat dog world of business. Melanie Griffith plays a secretary who wants a better position. She gets a new job with a female boss (Sigourney Weaver) and finally thinks things are looking up. Until she realizes her boss stole an idea of hers and is taking the credit. She ends up doing everything possible to secure a big deal and falls in love with Harrison Ford's character. This is such a touching movie. The girl gets the guy, and she gets the great job opportunity she really wants. The ending is what I like the most. When she tells her new secretary, don't get me coffee unless you get some for yourself too.
Rating:
Summary: Pulling oneself up by the bootstraps!
Review: This is a story about a bright, but frustrated secretary. She finds herself stuck in a beingness that she doesn't want. Without much education, she proves that she is very bright, and by her own ingenuity learns to play with the "big boys" of the world of finance. I loved watching our vulnerable yet strong heroine fight her way to the top, without sacrificing her femininity. Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, and Sigourney Weaver all give great performances. I was a little surprised that this otherwise PG-type movie had a few instances of nudity - that could easily have been dispensed with. I wish they had cut out the nudity, because it would really be a good movie for young teen girls to see.
Rating:
Summary: 3.5 out of 5
Review: Melanie Griffith received her first big film breakthrough in this 1988 hit. Griffith stars as Tess McGill, a hard-working office woman who just can't get the position at the top she completely deserves. But after her boss (Sigourney Weaver, in one of her best roles) steals Tess' idea, Tess poses as her boss and leads the company while flirting with popular businessman Harrison Ford. This is one of Mike Nichols' greatest films, and his directing is excellent; his look at the Big Apple is outstanding. Kevin Wade's witty script provides non-stop entertainment; of course, there's also excellent performances by all three stars and a great soundtrack by Carly Simon, whose theme, "Let the River Run", won an Academy Award. The film was also nominated for Best Actress in a Leading (Griffith) and also Supporting Role (Joan Cusack); Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Weaver); Best Director (Mike Nichols); and, while WORKING GIRL is a very entertaining and fun comedy, it still doesn't anywhere near deserving the "Best Picture" Academy Award it was nominated for.
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