Colossal Disappointment
Added 1/28/2010
I may be writing this review years after seeing this movie, but it left such a bad impression I will never forget it! I had the supreme privilege of seeing the original Chorus Line Broadway cast production in San Francisco back in the mid-70's. What a fabulous, heart-felt, grab-you-by-the-throat-and-not-let-you-go show! I remember being SO excited when I heard that a movie was being made of the play . . . I went to see it opening day. Now, I had heard about the various production problems that had delayed the completion and release of the movie, that they had gone thru a few directors before they signed Attenborough, but I still foolishly thought it would be a good movie - I somehow expected that if Attenborough couldn't save it no one could (and I think I was right!) . . . anyhow . . . I simply could not believe that anyone could take a fabulous show like Chorus Line and make such a flat, dull, awkward and just plain awful movie out of it! The emphasis of the story was shifted from the dancer's stories and struggles and love of dance to the non-existant "love story" between Cassie and Zach, most of the stories were changed and most of the roles were miss-cast, taking the heart out of the production (even Michael Douglas as Zach didn't work). The absolutely glorious Bennett choreography was messed with (their idea of improvement? - HELP!) and the music - OMG!!!! instead of the full orchestra, they twanged away with an electric guitar, drums and a bass! It was just HIDEOUS! Yes, I really didn't like this movie!
I am glad that some people enjoyed the movie (I'll bet they never saw the original show!), but for those of us who did see the original, stay away from this catastrophe! If you want to see something that will give you a taste of the original production, I highly recommend "Every Little Step"[[ASIN:B002JT69LE Every Little Step] . . . it even had Donna McKechnie's original Cassie dance! Now, that was a WOW!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Such a disappointment
Added 6/28/2009
I've seen A Chorus Line twice on stage. I bought a copy of this DVD at a budget price, watched it once and even going into it with low expectations, I was disppointed. Anyone who has just seen this movie version will probably wonder what all the fuss was about. As others have mentioned, the rather weak sub-plot of Cassie and her past love affair with the director gets pushed to the forefront in the movie, while many of the great songs from the stage production are cut entirely or presented in truncated fragments. I think this movie is one of the worst stage to screen adaptations ever put to film. Just listening to the original cast album will give you a better idea of what this play is all about.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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A Chorus Line
Added 5/29/2009
I saw the film many many years a go and I fell in love with the lirics and finelly I saw it last year in Broadway, I'm so happy that finally I have it.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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'Chorus Line' in the Classroom
Added 4/13/2009
I teach an Introduction to Theatre and a Drama skills class. I purchased this movie to show some of my 'star-struck' students a little bit of reality: from the 'cattle-call' auditions to the 'tell me about the real you' to the final 'you all are very special' cut.
It does bring home the point that NYC is FULL of talented 'I really need this job!' triple threat people (acting, singing, dancing). And it all comes down to that 'something' that makes the director see you as that character. For a classroom intrduction to the world of Broadway musicals, this movie Works!
I also show only the 'cattle-call' scene from 'All that Jazz' to underscore the message.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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WONDERFUL
Added 3/25/2009
What more can I say? The show is GREAT. We've seen it 3 or 4 times on stage and this is a terrific addition to your library so you can replay the excitement whenever you want!
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Colossal Disappointment
Added 1/28/2010
I may be writing this review years after seeing this movie, but it left such a bad impression I will never forget it! I had the supreme privilege of seeing the original Chorus Line Broadway cast production in San Francisco back in the mid-70's. What a fabulous, heart-felt, grab-you-by-the-throat-and-not-let-you-go show! I remember being SO excited when I heard that a movie was being made of the play . . . I went to see it opening day. Now, I had heard about the various production problems that had delayed the completion and release of the movie, that they had gone thru a few directors before they signed Attenborough, but I still foolishly thought it would be a good movie - I somehow expected that if Attenborough couldn't save it no one could (and I think I was right!) . . . anyhow . . . I simply could not believe that anyone could take a fabulous show like Chorus Line and make such a flat, dull, awkward and just plain awful movie out of it! The emphasis of the story was shifted from the dancer's stories and struggles and love of dance to the non-existant "love story" between Cassie and Zach, most of the stories were changed and most of the roles were miss-cast, taking the heart out of the production (even Michael Douglas as Zach didn't work). The absolutely glorious Bennett choreography was messed with (their idea of improvement? - HELP!) and the music - OMG!!!! instead of the full orchestra, they twanged away with an electric guitar, drums and a bass! It was just HIDEOUS! Yes, I really didn't like this movie!
I am glad that some people enjoyed the movie (I'll bet they never saw the original show!), but for those of us who did see the original, stay away from this catastrophe! If you want to see something that will give you a taste of the original production, I highly recommend "Every Little Step"[[ASIN:B002JT69LE Every Little Step] . . . it even had Donna McKechnie's original Cassie dance! Now, that was a WOW!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Such a disappointment
Added 6/28/2009
I've seen A Chorus Line twice on stage. I bought a copy of this DVD at a budget price, watched it once and even going into it with low expectations, I was disppointed. Anyone who has just seen this movie version will probably wonder what all the fuss was about. As others have mentioned, the rather weak sub-plot of Cassie and her past love affair with the director gets pushed to the forefront in the movie, while many of the great songs from the stage production are cut entirely or presented in truncated fragments. I think this movie is one of the worst stage to screen adaptations ever put to film. Just listening to the original cast album will give you a better idea of what this play is all about.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
|
A Chorus Line
Added 5/29/2009
I saw the film many many years a go and I fell in love with the lirics and finelly I saw it last year in Broadway, I'm so happy that finally I have it.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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