Only James Coburn, the superstar agent hired by investors hoping that Goldine will win three gold medals at the Olympics and deliver millions in merchandising opportunities, seems to know or care about the real Goldine Serafin. Physically and mentally conditioned since childhood to be a winner, Goldine has also received hormone injections from her father to help her attain her 6' 2" perfect physique. She's been coached by a team that includes her own psychiatrist (Leslie Caron) and trained to perform exceptionally, but hasn't been shown much love. When Goldine discovers that her father's obsession with making her Goldengirl has left her body damaged, she banishes him, but forges on to the Olympic Games.
The 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow were boycotted by the United States and 60 other countries because of the Soviet war in Afghanistan. The Olympic footage in Goldengirl is less than convincing, and was even more so to a 1980 audience well aware that the U.S. team was never there. The film was released in 1979, before the U.S. announced its boycott of the event, but the 1980 overseas release, just prior to the Summer Games, must have seemed especially peculiar to international audiences. Goldengirl did not prove to be a hit with moviegoers though it did amass some positive reviews such as this critical assessment in The New York Times: "Goldengirl is a wittily conceived and executed movie that, with the straightest of faces, manages to satirize the kind of big business that surrounds so-called amateur sports today. It also sends up science and science-fiction while getting in a few jabs at a civilization that systematically pollutes its environment for short-term gains."
Susan Anton (Cannonball Run II, 1984) got her start in Muriel Cigar ads and went on to become the Serta Perfect Sleeper girl, performing the jingle as well. She has had a long stage career, performing on Broadway and in Las Vegas. Anton also contributes to the Goldengirl soundtrack, singing the title song.
Goldengirl was directed by Joseph Sargent (The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, 1974), with a screenplay by John Kohn (Shanghai Surprise 1986). Susan Anton was nominated for a Golden Globe for new motion picture star of the year.
Producer: Elliott Kastner, Danny O'Donovan
Director: Joseph Sargent
Screenplay: John Kohn
Cinematography: Stevan Larner
Art Direction: Sydney Z. Litwack
Music: Bill Conti
Film Editing: Harry Keramidas
Cast: Susan Anton (Goldine Serafin), James Coburn (Jack Dryden), Curd Jürgens (Dr. Serafin), Leslie Caron (Dr. Sammy Lee), Robert Culp (Steve Esselton), James A. Watson, Jr. (Winters), Harry Guardino (Valenti), Ward Costello (Cobb), Michael Lerner (Sternberg), John J. Newcombe (Armitage)
C-104m.
by Emily Soares
