"Who's That Girl" is a 1987 American screwball comedy that centers on the spirited character of Nikki Finn, portrayed by Madonna. The film follows Nikki's determined quest to clear her name after being falsely accused of murder and her unexpected alliance with a straitlaced tax attorney. Her journey from jail to uncovering a criminal conspiracy is filled with comedic mishaps, burgeoning romance, and a distinctive blend of street smarts and resourcefulness.
The narrative unfolds as Nikki navigates a world that has wrongly condemned her, all while trying to prevent an impending wedding and expose the true culprits.
The Setup: False Accusation and Parole
The story begins with Nikki Finn, a carefree and street-smart young woman known for her distinctive style—a leather jacket and skirt, fire-red lips, and a platinum bubble cut, coupled with a high-pitched voice. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her boyfriend, Johnny, witnesses two men stealing money from a trust fund. Johnny captures photographic evidence of this theft and places the pictures in a safe deposit box, entrusting Nikki with the key for safekeeping. The thieves subsequently murder Johnny and frame Nikki by placing his body in the trunk of her car. As a result, Nikki is wrongly convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison.
Four years later, tax attorney Loudon Trott is preparing to marry Wendy, the daughter of wealthy New York businessman Simon Worthington. Wendy is depicted as self-absorbed, more concerned with wedding plans than her fiancé's well-being. Loudon, on the other hand, is burdened with several tasks by his boss and future father-in-law, Mr. Worthington. These duties include picking up a cougar for exotic-animal activist Montgomery Bell, collecting Nikki Finn—who has just been granted parole—and ensuring she boards a bus back to her hometown of Philadelphia.
An Unlikely Alliance and Unraveling the Conspiracy
Upon her release, Nikki meets Loudon Trott, who is tasked with ensuring her departure to Philadelphia. However, Nikki, determined to catch the real thieves and expose the truth, quickly convinces Loudon to help her instead. She cons him into taking her shopping, leading to an eventful trip to Harlem in a Rolls-Royce to buy a gun, where they narrowly avoid arrest during a police raid. During these escapades, Nikki shares her story with Loudon, who, believing in her innocence, agrees to assist her.
Their investigation is complicated by Nikki also being on the run from a pimp named Raoul and his henchman, Benny, who were responsible for Johnny's murder. After a perilous incident involving a Cadillac limousine crashing through a parking garage, Raoul reveals the bank and safe deposit box number (6111) where Johnny had hidden the incriminating photographs. Meanwhile, Loudon's responsibilities include delivering a cougar to Montgomery Bell. Nikki later vanishes with the cougar, whom she names Murray. That evening, Loudon visits Mr. Bell to apologize for losing the animal, only to discover that Nikki has already delivered Murray and is waiting for him at Mr. Bell's penthouse apartment, which features a Brazilian rainforest on its roof. There, Nikki and Loudon, having grown close, express their love for each other, and Murray even finds a mate.
The Climax: Wedding Crash and Resolution
The next morning, Loudon takes Nikki to the bus station, but Nikki, heartbroken, realizes she must return to Philadelphia, leaving Loudon, who is still set to marry Wendy. On the bus, she opens an envelope from the security box and finds the photographs that prove Mr. Worthington is an embezzler and the mastermind behind the theft. Armed with this crucial evidence, Nikki gate-crashes Loudon's wedding, leading to Mr. Worthington's arrest. She then proclaims her love for Loudon. The film concludes with Nikki and Loudon riding off into the sunset on a bus to Philadelphia, with Murray and his new partner chasing after them, signifying a happy and unconventional ending to their adventure.
