Watch Plain Clothes

Plain Clothes is a 1987 comedy-drama directed and written by Martha Coolidge. The movie revolves around Nick Dunbar, a street-smart cop who goes undercover to solve the mystery behind the murder of a high school science teacher. The movie is set in a small town in Washington, where Nick Dunbar has recently been assigned as a cop. However, his unconventional methods to solve a case have put him in hot water with his superiors. When the science teacher of the local high school is murdered, Nick sees an opportunity to redeem himself. Nick poses as a high school student to investigate the murder. He quickly realizes that high school life has changed a lot since he graduated. He also encounters numerous obstacles such as dealing with teenage hormones, drug abuse, and cliques. Nick's investigation leads him to Jeri Ann, a popular high school student, and her boyfriend, Bigelow, a feared jock. Nick tries to gain their trust and get information from them. However, he finds himself falling for Jeri Ann. As Nick spends more time at the school, he starts to connect with the students, especially those who are neglected and bullied. He sees the potential in them and encourages them to stand up for themselves. However, Nick's behavior does not go unnoticed by the school's principal, who suspects something fishy is going on. The stress of living a double life coupled with the pressure to solve the murder gets to Nick, and he starts to lose his cool. His erratic behavior makes him the prime suspect in the murder investigation. The performances in Plain Clothes are top-notch. Arliss Howard gives a believable portrayal of a cop in over his head, and Suzy Amis shines as the love interest. George Wendt is a surprise entry, giving an excellent comedic relief to the movie. The movie addresses several themes such as the importance of education and the impact of societal pressures. It highlights how high school is not just about academics but shaping the future generation. The soundtrack of the movie is catchy and captures the essence of the 80s. It features songs like "Wouldn't it be Good" by Danny Hutton Hitters and "One Night Love Affair" by Bryan Adams. Overall, Plain Clothes is an entertaining movie with enough drama, comedy, and mystery to keep the viewers interested. It's a reminder of how high school can be challenging, and the impact it has on shaping our personalities. The movie is an excellent throwback to the 80s with its catchy soundtrack, and it's definitely worth a watch.