And the number reason not to see the new Demi Moore film . . . Demi Moore's in it. G.I. Jane is the story of a navy officer who is hand selected over two more-heavily testosteroned women to demonstrate that women can be Navy Seals. The conniving Congresswoman's selection process appears similar to Hollywood's method of picking a cast for a movie to show that women can do what men can do. If the fate of the Congresswoman's choice was as realistic as Demi Moore's choice of movies, this movie would be over in less than an hour. As it is, by going over two hours, this movie really pushes it. After the Congresswoman embarasses the Navy into accepting one woman for Seals training, Jordan O'Neil (Demi Moore) attempts to show that she doesn't need any special treatment. She even demands to sleep with the men. I mean, in the same room.
Director Ridley Scott doesn't dumb down the film too much, but the Congresswoman's Machiavellian plot could have used a little more explanation. He heightens the drama as much as possible, but never delivers the anticipated conflicts or resolutions. It delivers too few surprises for a movie that goes over two hours. Some of the training seems over-the-line and the lack of sexual harassment of Moore's character also seems unrealistic. This movie will make you realize why you don't like Demi Moore movies or the armed forces or both. Rent Private Benjamin or Stripes instead.