Hot Moves (1984)

Hot Moves (1984) is a 1980’s coming of age teen comedy and an early forerunner for cheeky comedies like American Pie.

Hot Moves was directed by Jim Sotos and stars Jill Schoelen, Monique Gabrielle and Deborah Richter.

Deborah Richter as Heidi

Hot Moves (1984) Plot

The crux of our story centers around four crazed teenage boys: Barry (played Michael Zorek), Michael (Adam Silbar), Joey (Jeff Fishman) and Scotty (Johnny Timko). Mindless young lads brimming with hormones and driven by the excitement of unrealistic fever dreams.

One hot summer they set out on a do-or-die mission, a quest to lose their virginity before the sun sets on their youth and they’re inevitably plagued by the nagging existential questions surrounding their own fading mortality.

But I digress from such heavy undercurrents…

Back to the mindless fun.

The film is set to the backdrop of the sun-drenched fun and frivolity of summertime on Venice Beach. This film has everything good and mindless that’s endemic to the 1980s.

Gratuitous shots of bikini clad vixens.
Rollerblading montages.
Husky guys at the beach too afraid to take off their shirts.
Break dancing.
Popping and locking.
One pointless, impromptu dance competition after another.
Each one leaving you with the gnawing feeling you just got served.

As for the heroins of our tale this cast of young ladies serve as objects for the single-minded obsession of these lusty rapscallions.

First, there’s Julie Ann (played by Jill Schoelen). She’s the girl next door before the neighborhood got gentrified. Next there’s Heidi (played by Debi Richter). You’d better leave a trail of breadcrumbs when you chase after this summertime siren. And last but not least Babs (played by B-movie royalty Monique Gabrielle).

Hot Moves is an exhilarating vignette into a carefree time gone by.

Watch and feel the good feelings. Sláinte.