Fame
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Movie Reviews of Fame
Movie Review: You may not remember the names, but FAME is unforgettable
Summary: 4 Stars
With the nostalgia boom still packing a wallop in the DVD universe, everyone has a film or two they can't wait to get in this amazing format. Alan Parker's FAME nearly topped my list and it is a joy to behold anew -- sort of.While its theme song seemed to play longer than the film's box office run, FAME touched a nerve with a generation desperate to achieve the American Dream of visible success. Many young people saw the allure of the High School of the Performing Arts. Even more saw the allure of New York City. Combined, FAME became a true cult classic that still resonantes today.
Watching the beautiful transfer of the film on DVD and hearing that memorable pop score again in the most pristine sound mix brought back a lot of youthful exuberence in a single moment. The names Irene Cara, Lee Curreri, Paul McCrane, Barry Miller, Gene Anthony Ray and Maureen Teefy may not ring bells today -- if you're 30-something, you know they also mean Coco, Bruno, Montgomery, Ralph Garcy, Leroy and Doris Finsecker. I speak for many in my generation when I say we all identified with one of these stock film archetypes.
Like most of the film's of the era, it is funny discovering that FAME isn't as deep as I remember. Still, what made it such a hot ticket were the songs. The musical numbers remain particularly effective, especially "Hot Lunch Jam" and Coco's lovely "Out Here on My Own," the ultimate teen angst ballad. And, I will never forget my first look at the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and the "Time Warp" on screen. If you were a Drama Club member, FAME was part of your repertoire.
Watching FAME as an adult also proved an indelible trip down memory lane and I am pleased to see that the film does hold much of its magic. While the cast failed to go on to other levels of success, their combined efforts in this film are peerless in their innocence on screen, despite their vibrant skills as actors, dancers, musicians or singers. Director Alan Parker sometimes overreaches in capturing themes like reckless youth, ambition, show business and other pathos, but the film is so low-tech in its presentation. Unencumbered by tricky camera work or other contrived stylistic conventions, the film remains spirited and alive, a hallmark of the pre-MTV age. For some, FAME may feel a little dated around the edges, but in this era of manufactured "American Idols," it is nice to recall how people sought to hone their crafts in a place of learning, not a reality show!
What is disappointing about this DVD are its lackluster special materials. Interviews were conducted with members of the original cast, none of which were cut into a reunion special. Instead, Warner Bros. offered the featurette from its original release publicity materials. Even worse, the "reunion" commentary is relegated to moments in a branching format that feature the cast as floating heads in dark space. It feel lazy and unispired, given the notoriety of the film, FAME deserved better.
Regardless, it goes without saying that FAME remains a great pleasure and welcome addition to any collection. It is going to live forever, after all.
Movie Review: Remember My Name
Summary: 4 Stars
"Remember my name..." was the tagline for this movie - but there are not a lot of people in it whose names you'll remember. Such are the quirks of fame...and of *Fame*. The movie and its Oscar-winning eternally-80s title song were a huge hit at the time, spawning a hit TV show and stage show. Irene Cara was a household name - for about five minutes - and never again realized her full potential. But with *Saturday Night Fever*, *Xanadu* and *Flashdance* as evidence, it was clearly an easier time to pull off a musical. *Fame* is a fictionalized but not-entirely-glamourized look at the High School for Performing Arts in New York, we follow the lives of a group of students, each with the burning desire to succeed in their chosen art. From audition day to graduation day, we watch the personal and professional dramas of these actors, dancers, singers, musicians as they struggle to make their way through life while pursuing their dreams - though perhaps director Parker's film *The Commitments* portrays the struggle a little more accurately. Having also made *Bugsy Malone* and *The Wall*, Parker is obviously partial, not only to musicals, but youthful angst. There's Coco, Bruno, Ralph, Montgomery, Doris and Leroy - some charming, some irritating - but just like people we actually went to school with. The score is by the brother-and-sister team of Michael Gore (music) and Lesley Gore (lyrics...yes, *the* Lesley Gore of *It's My Party* and *You Don't Own Me* fame), and it's what makes this story come alive. And it definitely *does* come alive. In addition to the title track, the raucous *Red Light* and the wonderfully gooey *Out Here On My Own* all make this a joyful experience. The fabulous *I Sing The Body Electric* number at graduation makes us swell with joy, and we're as deeply proud as if they were our own relatives...or ourselves. As with all musicals, many scenes require a complete suspension of belief, but once suspended, it's as easy to swallow as ice cream (you mean, they *didn't* really dance on top of taxi cabs in Times Square?!). "Fame! I want to live forever! I want to learn how to fly!" Yeah...I did too. Back then.Movie Review: Rough, Gritty, and Not Lacking in Truth
Summary: 4 Stars
Having been born after the time of Fame and other break out movies of the time, I knew that this was something I had to experience much the same way as my mom did when she was younger. What I hadn't expected was the terribly torn reviews between either hating it or loving it.
Still, I went with my gut and purchased the video to find meaning to both sides of the story.
First, the audition sequence was very long, much longer than necessary even. While it was interesting and visually appealing, it got sort of boring and right when you thought that it was never going to end, the students get their calls of acceptance!
Beginning Freshman year with "Hot Lunch" sets the mood for the rest of the movie, energetic and in your face. Students dancing and singing all over the place show us the naivety of the youth as they begin their journeys toward becoming performers.
The movie did have continuity issues and was inconsistant in it's presentation of each year. It spends too much time on Freshman and Sophomore year and shortens Junior and Senior year to maybe 15 minutes more or less. The fast pace of the movie, however is what gives it it's feel and it's ravor sharp edge.
The issues are real though I don't believe that ever single person should have suffered from them. A previous reviewer described the movie as pornographic which it is not at all. Bare chests do make several appearances through out the movie (mostly involving Irene Cara's barely noticable breasts), but there are no explicit sex scenes or even noises. There are two implied scenes and you don't see anything but the girl beckoning that the guy follow, no more.
All around. this movie has an impact many movies fail to achieve. It defines a subculture, a dream, and an era that will not soon be forgotten in pop culture. If you are looking for a snappy dancey musical with an upbeat ending, pass this one up and I suggest you take a look at Grease or Rent. If you want reality and hard hitting truths backed by an incredible soundtrack, then take a look at this.
Movie Review: More historical relic than great movie..
Summary: 4 Stars
I thought I'd seen this before but no, it must have been Flashdance which I remember being a funner movie than this one. FAME takes a long time to get going with auditions sequence in the beginning that seem to go on too long, and it wasn't until the second half of the movie that I could stay with it without taking 'breaks'. And even then, the subject matter and slightly melodramatic teen angst didn't have me on the edge of my seat.
Later dramatic scenes start seeming like an extended chain of those early auditioning scenes, now disguised as the movie. FAME is not a bad movie, it's even a good movie - just a touch cliche and 'artsy'. In some way it reminded me of say, a more grown-up version of 'the ABC after-school special'. That it's styles are dated is irrelavant, but it's entertainment value stood at around 4 stars for me, a rating of 'good'. Perhaps it will mean more to people into dance and NY stage musicals. A 5-star movie about dance for me would be something like 'All That Jazz'. I thought Travolta's Staying Alive was better than this one. FAME started an early 80s genre and for that it will be remembered.
Movie Review: Who wants to live forever?
Summary: 4 Stars
When this film originally came out, I was too young to see it in the theatres, but I was a big fan of the show, regardless of how many people loathed it. It was a precursor to Dawson's Creek only with singing and better dialogue.
But now, many years later, I get to see what the big deal was REALLY all about. The casting director did a tremendous job in assembling this ensemble, from Irene Cara (Coco) to Gene Anthony Ray (Leroy) to Albert Hague (Mr. Shorofski); the acting is (for the most part) seamless.
Visually, the film looks great; the sound is adequate, the commentary... well, I haven't listened to all of it just yet, but Parker's a bit dry from the bits I HAVE heard. Best of the extra features is the 'class reunion', featuring four of the leads reminiscing about the movie. My only disappointment? They could have included their complete interviews just to pad out the disc a little bit.
Overall, however, no complaints. This is just as good a film as Midnight Express, Angel Heart, or The Committments, and it deserves a place in any self-respecting movie lover's collection.