Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Mannequin’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

There are certain things that all kids do when they are growing up, and one fine example of this, involved our imaginations. Because there’s not a kid out there who didn’t take the time to wonder if various inanimate objects came to life when no one else was around. Which meant that in the middle of the night, or while the house was empty while we were at school, we firmly believed that our toys would get up and do their own thing. Or, perhaps to a lesser extent, that the mannequins that stood in the window of every department store we ever walked by, went about their own lives once the store had closed.
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Of course, as we grew older, such silly notions left our minds, but the wonder and the possibility of what that might look like stayed with quite a few people. For over the years, filmmakers and writers have truly worked to explore the possibility of a world where inanimate objects come to life and that’s led to some incredible stories over the years. In fact, Pixar’s attempt to tell an earnest story about this has led to an incredibly loved franchise that people revisit often. But while that series has earned a special place in all of our hearts, there are plenty of other stories in this vein that quite frankly, slip into some strange territory and recently I took the time to revisit one of the weirder ones in this bunch by way of the 1987 cult classic, Mannequin.

Now for those unfamiliar with this film, in it we are introduced to an everyday guy named Jonathan Switcher and dear Jonathan is simply looking for purpose in his life. For he is currently coasting from job to job, looking for something that energizes his imagination and might give him the chance to do something creative. And it just so happens that a chance encounter, wherein Jonathan saves the owner of a glitzy department store named Prince and Company from a falling sign; gives him that all-important opportunity. Because he lands a job at P and C and is able now to create incredible advertising alongside his new friend Hollywood. But a strange mannequin also helps Jonathan create, simply because something about the fake human entrances him, and there’s good reason for that. Because this mannequin, is a living and breathing human being named Emmy, and she can only come to life when she is alone with Jonathan and their kindling love affair will change their lives in ways, they never thought possible. 

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So, if that seems like a pretty damn ridiculous plot line, you’re absolutely right. Because this is a ridiculous movie through and through. For the notion that a mannequin can come to life only for one man makes this motion picture seem more like a parable that is going to focus on mental illness over anything else, yet somehow, this strange plot line works. Because once you start to watch Mannequin, you quickly find yourself sucked into its slick direction and earnest performances and just like that… you’re rooting for Jonathan and Emmy to find their happily ever after and that’s really what makes this motion picture watchable, it’s humanity, since so much of what happens here is relatable in its own special way. Okay, actually, let me backtrack a bit.
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Because let’s be honest. The whole mannequin coming to life thing isn’t relatable in the slightest, but what is… is Jonathan’s struggle to find purpose in the world. For he really is that young person we all were at some point, searching for something more and it is quite lovely to see him find his true north. But make no mistake about it, this is a weird film and the fact that it features a ton of competing storylines only adds to the wackiness. For not only do you have a love story injected into a tale about chasing your dreams, you also have a story involving corporate espionage present within this one, and somehow this movie miraculously manages to combine and resolve all of these plot threads in the third act.

If anything, this is one of those motion pictures that truly exemplifies the zeitgeist of the 1980s. Because everything about it feels big and excessive, and its manic plot speaks to the energy of the era. Plus, it does feature a solid cast, and colorful characters and some genuinely quirky and funny moments. Just don’t think too hard about the plot and its overall cohesion. In the end however, you simply cannot go wrong with a film that features a dreamer, and his dream mannequin/girl, and… oh, who am I kidding? It’s 80s cheese. Plus, it features ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now’ from Starship, which is nice, and really, see this one if you haven’t yet. Because it is just downright fun and a great way to lose yourself in silliness for an hour and a half.

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