***Fun, energetic 80’s teen flick about gaining supernatural powers and the repercussions*** A geeky girl in Southern California (Robin Lively) acquires witchcraft powers on her sixteenth birthday and uses them to become popular and win the love of the handsome quarterback with whom she’s infatuated (Dan Gauthier). But will they bring true happiness? Mandy Ingber plays her pal, Polly, while Zelda Rubinstein is on hand as fortuneteller Madame Serena. “Teen Witch” (1989) fills the bill if you’re in the mode for an 80’s coming-of-age movie if you don’t mind the silliness and fantasy elements. It has the drama of “Pretty in Pink” (1986), the fun campiness of “Can’t Buy Me Love” (1987) and the fantastical side of “Teen Wolf” (1985). The obvious inspiration for “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (1996) and the ensuing series, it’s a kinetic and amusing 80’s teen flick with heart, but it can’t compare to giants like “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982), “Footloose” (1984) or “The Karate Kid” (1984). Gauthier is a taller, low-rent version of Tom Cruise. The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes and was shot in Glendale & Los Angeles, California. GRADE: B-/C+
