RollerBoogie

Roller Boogie (1979)

Spoiled little rich girl Theresa isn’t happy with her life. She is a musical prodigy that would rather roller-skate down at the boardwalk than accept the affluent lifestyle that her parents provide for her. Only her life maybe isn’t so good with inattentive parents that leave and don’t let her know when they will return, and a father that doesn’t listen to her. While skating she meets a local named Bobby and falls for him after a few meetings. This bond is only made closer when the mob forces the owner of the local roller-skating rink to sell off his property. Can Bobby, Theresa and the rest of the gang save the rink and set things right? Will Theresa’s parents ever pay attention to her? Check this piece of 70s cheese out to see what happens.

This is a goofy little movie that was made to cash in on the Saturday Night Fever and disco craze. The first part of the movie is mostly nothing more than some skating and conflict between the haves and have-nots. When that plot runs out of steam another about some bad guys shutting down the rink before the big Roller Boogie contest is stuck in to carry the movie along until you can have another montage of “groovy” skating action. But honestly in spite of not being a well-written movie I had fun watching it in all of it’s cheesy glory. Between dialogue filled with 70s lingo, the killer clothes, and some terrible disco music the movie was a blast to watch. And while it might not always make much sense, it is never boring. I could mention the performances, but the only thing memorable about this movie would be how well the stunt skaters performed! Come on with a name like Roller Boogie was anyone actually expecting acting?

The filmmakers do a great job filming and capturing that moment in time that was the end of the 70s. As soon as the groovy tunes started it took me back to my own childhood (alas no boardwalk, I was landlocked in Ohio) hanging out and trying not to kill myself (I never did get good on skates). As cheesy and goofy as the movie is there are a ton of tricks and skating stunts that are very well shot and impressive. I also want to mention how well they managed to shoot the stunt doubles for the cast. If you didn’t it wasn’t them you wouldn’t catch it.

Now I’ve said some good things about this movie, and I did enjoy it. But be warned if you aren’t down with the 70s, or dig laughing at some of the goofy clothes and disco music you are going to hate this movie. All the fun of this movie comes from getting down with your inner bad self and boogieing your butt off! I recommend this groovy flick as a wonderful way to revisit the 70s.

3 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer