Alright fellow tapeheads, slide that worn-out copy of Just One of the Guys into the VCR, ignore the tracking lines for a second, and let’s talk about a mid-80s teen comedy that dared to flip the script, literally. Forget the John Hughes melancholy for a moment; this 1985 flick dove headfirst into high school hijinks with a premise that feels surprisingly bold even now: a girl goes undercover as a boy to prove a point about sexism. And you know what? It’s still a ridiculously fun watch, capturing that specific frequency of 80s charm, awkwardness, and outrageous fashion choices.
### Trading Skirts for Slacks
The setup is simple but effective: ambitious high school journalist Terry Griffith, played with infectious energy by Joyce Hyser, is convinced her writing isn't being taken seriously because she's a girl. Passed over for a summer newspaper internship in favour of her less talented male classmates, she hatches a plan born of pure frustration and teenage logic – chop off her hair, strap everything down, adopt a swagger, and enroll at a rival high school as "Terry Lynch." Her goal? Resubmit her article under a male pseudonym and prove the system is rigged. It's a classic fish-out-of-water scenario, dropped right into the hormone-fueled chaos of senior year.
Hyser absolutely throws herself into the role, capturing both the determination and the sheer panic of trying to navigate male bonding rituals, locker room etiquette (or lack thereof), and the constant threat of exposure. There's a genuine commitment there; apparently, Hyser sometimes stayed in character between takes to really nail the mannerisms, which pays off in making Terry's transformation believable enough for the comedic premise to work. It's not just about the (convincingly executed) physical change; it's the way she has to constantly recalibrate her behaviour, leading to some genuinely funny moments of social anxiety amplified tenfold.
### Finding Your Tribe (Accidentally)
Of course, Terry's plan immediately hits snags. She inadvertently befriends the sensitive, slightly nerdy Rick Morehouse (Clayton Rohner, bringing a wonderfully understated charm), complicating things immensely when romantic feelings start to bubble beneath the surface of their "guy talk." Their chemistry is one of the film's highlights, navigating the awkwardness of Terry trying to be "one of the guys" while clearly falling for Rick, who just thinks he's found a cool new buddy. Remember those scenes where Rick tries to give Terry advice on girls? Pure gold.
The comedy often lands squarely in that specific 80s teen movie groove – a mix of sharp observations about high school dynamics and some broader, occasionally cringe-worthy gags (hello, horny little brother Buddy!). Speaking of Buddy, played with scene-stealing obnoxiousness by Billy Jayne (credited then as Billy Jacoby), he represents that unfiltered id of early teenagedom that permeated so many films of the era. Let’s be honest, Buddy’s relentless pursuit of anything female was a whole sub-genre of 80s comedy in itself. It’s interesting to note that one of the film's writers, Jeff Franklin, would go on to create Full House just a couple of years later – you can almost see the seeds of goofy family sitcom dynamics being planted here, albeit with a much randier edge. The other writer, Dennis Feldman, took a wild turn later, penning the sci-fi horror hit Species (1995)!
Director Lisa Gottlieb, in her feature debut, keeps things moving at a brisk pace, leaning into the sunshine-drenched aesthetic provided by the Phoenix, Arizona locations. The film looks like the 80s – bright colours, big hair (before Terry’s chop, anyway), and that slightly hazy quality you remember from watching movies on a CRT after school.
### More Than Just a Makeover
While Just One of the Guys is primarily focused on laughs and romantic entanglements, it does lightly touch upon the sexism that initially motivates Terry. It doesn't delve too deep – this isn't a sociological treatise – but the core idea that Terry feels she needs to become a man to be heard resonates differently today than it perhaps did amidst the shoulder pads and synth-pop of 1985. We also get early appearances from Sherilyn Fenn as a popular girl Terry tries to woo (as a guy, naturally) and the quintessential 80s bully William Zabka as Greg Tolan, providing the necessary antagonistic force and reminding us that high school hierarchies are brutal, no matter your gender presentation.
The film wasn't a massive box office smash ($11.5 million gross on a modest budget), but oh boy, did it find its audience on home video and cable TV. I distinctly remember renting this from the local video store – probably drawn in by the cover art and the promise of typical teen fare – and being pleasantly surprised by its wit and Hyser's performance. It became one of those tapes that got passed around, a staple of sleepovers and late-night channel surfing. It just had that feel – relatable characters (even in an outlandish situation), quotable lines ("Denise is not my type. Too... female."), and that iconic prom scene reveal. Wasn't that reveal moment something else back then?
### The Verdict
Just One of the Guys is a charming time capsule, a teen comedy with a clever premise that mostly delivers on the laughs. Joyce Hyser carries the film brilliantly, supported by a likeable cast and that unmistakable 80s energy. Sure, some jokes haven't aged perfectly, and the resolution ties things up a little too neatly, but the heart and humour are still very much intact. It navigates its gender-bending theme with a light touch, focusing more on the personal journey and romantic comedy angles than deep social commentary, which is perfectly fine for what it aims to be.
Rating: 7/10
Why this score? It earns points for its genuinely funny moments, Hyser's fantastic lead performance, the winning chemistry between Terry and Rick, and its status as a beloved cult favourite from the VHS era. It loses a few points for some dated humour and a somewhat simplistic handling of its core theme, but its overall charm and rewatchability keep it firmly in the 'recommended' pile for 80s nostalgists.
Final Thought: In the vast rental library of 80s teen flicks, Just One of the Guys stands out not just for its plot, but for proving that sometimes, the best way to understand the other side is to walk a mile in their ridiculously baggy, probably acid-washed jeans. A definite rewind candidate.