Sweet Charity
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Movie Reviews of Sweet Charity
Movie Review: A Real Drag
Summary: 2 Stars
I saw this movie years ago, but didn't remember much about it, except some of the songs, and the basic story. I also saw "Nights of Cabiria", from which the story was taken. I love musicals, and I
think Shirley MacLaine is very talented. She is very sweet as Charity Hope Valentine, and one can't help wanting a happy ending for her. So why did I think this movie was awful? First of all, some of the dialogue was so repetitious it became irritating-- how many times can you listen to Charity say "Fickle finger of fate" over and over without wanting to hit the mute button? Also, some of the scenes went on and on and on-- especially the elevator scene. And-- the intermission was totally unnecessary. But the worst disappointment for me was the musical numbers. I didn't like any of them--- they were so far over the top as to be silly. Bob Fosse must have thrown everything into them that he could--- instead of letting the dancers and the songs carry the numbers, he had so much busyness in all of them-- too many people, costumes that didn't fit the story, silly moves-- and they all went past the point of enjoyment. I fast forwarded thru
a couple of them just to get them over with. I have never done that before with any movie. This could have been so much better-- the story was good, the charactors were good-- but the whole thing should have been toned down. The movie could have been 30 minutes shorter if there had been some trimming. It was entirely too long. Also--- all that stop action-- what was that all about? I know, I know-- it was to show the progress of the story, but it was a distraction.
I didn't like the movie and was glad when it was over.
Movie Review: I'm amazed
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm amazed that some studio gave Fosse the chance to direct again after this downright failure. I do have to give some of the blame (ok, most) to Shirley MacLaine who is annoying, needy, and badly acted/sung/danced. I want to sock her Charity in the nose almost ceaslessly. The only let up from her killing the part are Fosse's dance numbers. "Rich Man's Frug" lives up to its reputation, and "Rhythem of Life" are amazing. ( My friend and I were ready to burn the tape we were watching, and then "Rhythem" came on. We stayed for the rest of the movie.) Fosse as a director also seems to care only when his signature dances, or any dances, come on. That's when the camera usage that one gets to know so well in Cabaret and All That Jazz come in. During the naratives, he seems bored with the story and doesn't put nearly enough energy into it. One is left waiting for the stars, (preferably not Ms. MacLaine) to sing and dance for all they're worth for all the movie. It is also too long. I felt the ending was not harsh enough to Ms. MacLaine's Charity. An STD would have satisfied me.
Movie Review: For Serious Fosse Fans Only
Summary: 2 Stars
Ok, this movie is a clunker. The story doesn't hold up well in today's feminist or post-feminist era and MacLaine's performance made me cringe. However, here's the great thing about DVD: use the scene selector to skip right to the fabulous dance numbers! "Rich Man's Frug" and "Hey Big Spender" are two of Fosse's best on film, and big enough that you'll want to watch them several times to catch all the details and dancers. And as a special treat to Fosse fans, the extras on the DVD include some brief segments with THE MAN himself.
Fosse newbies, skip right over this and go straight to CABARET which is a brilliant musical AND a brilliant film.
Movie Review: Shirley MacLaine's Best Movie?
Summary: 1 Stars
This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The characters are unlikeable except for Charity's two friends. The songs are far too long and I had to fast forward through most of them because they were so dull. I was especially disappointed with Big Spender because I love the song and expected a spectacular dance number from Bob Fosse and all they did was stand there draped over the bar. The only redeeming factor was that Sammy Davis Jr. was in it. He's awesome even though the song was fairly stupid. This was my first Shirley MacLaine film and on the back it said that Sweet Charity was her best movie. I have no desire to see her other movies then.