Bryan SInger to direct Fosse biopic- Page 2

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:49am

"All That Jazz" pretty much IS Fosse's story, with embellishments and self-indulgences ... which makes it no different than any other bio pic ever made. With one big exception: Fosse directed it himself.

I don't see any point in telling this same story now, particularly when the biggest changes to the plot would be using the characters' real names instead of fictional ones. If you change much else, you aren't telling his story any more. It will have to be really, glaringly close to All That Jazz. So what's the point? Where's the fresh perspective?

[all that jazz]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 10:00am

That excerpt seems very similar to Martin Gottfried's All His Jazz.

All That Jazz is one of my favorites film, but I wouldn't mind seeing a more detailed account of his life a la Ray or La vie en Rose.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 10:09am

It will have to be really, glaringly close to All That Jazz. So what's the point? Where's the fresh perspective?

New perspective? First, this isn't directed by Bob Fosse and secondly, it won't be done with a fantasy/musical interpretation of a decade in his life.

As an authority of ALL things Bob Fosse (yes, authority), I look forward to Singer's interpretation of Bob Fosse, his life and his career. Something ALL THAT JAZZ doesn't really cover: his family, his childhood, his Riff Brothers period, his time in the Army, his first marriage to Mary Ann Niles, his first appearances on television, his second marriage: Joan McCracken, his beginnings in Hollywood (with hopes of becoming a movie star dancer/actor), his beginnings as a choreographer (both on film and on Broadway), encouraging enthusiastic chorus dancer Shirley MacLaine to aspire for more than just as a dancer in the chorus, his marriage to Gwen Verdon, the birth of his only child: his daughter Nicole, his Broadway flops and hits, his film directorial debut (and almost end) with SWEET CHARITY, his breakthrough with CABARET, his still historical triple crown wins in 1973, and so on and so on and so on (and so on).

ALL THAT JAZZ lightly covered his life in the 70's with snips mentioning his beginnings but by ALL means -- it was NOT a genuine autobiography of his life OR even his work.

By the way, the book this HBO adaptation is based on: FOSSE (by Sam Wasson) is being released November 5, 2013. Hopefully the long-awaited release of this book will mean this film bio will finally begin production.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 10:22am

It may not be covered as well as you wanted it to be, but nearly everything you mentioned is covered to a degree in All That Jazz, and some of it nicely done.

The first part of his life as a "young hopeful" isn't anywhere as interesting as the second part. So if it's "Fosse: The Dull Years," it's probably not going to have much impact.

Still, for me, it's far better than a kick in the head. And if it's well made, great.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 10:35am

It may not be covered as well as you wanted it to be, but nearly everything you mentioned is covered to a degree in All That Jazz, and some of it nicely done.

I guess you need to revisit ALL THAT JAZZ, which ONLY covers Bob Fosse's life during 1974-75: the creation of CHICAGO and his directing the film LENNY and his first heart attack.

Bob Fosse chronicled his own life as it was during that period: his relationship with his estranged wife Gwen Verdon; his relationship with his young daughter Nicole; his relationship with girlfriend Ann Reinking; his famous heart attack and of course trying to deal with CHICAGO (for Broadway) and LENNY (for cinema).

Aside from the brief mentions of his youth, there is NO mention of any other part of his life and career. Just his life in 1974-75.

Posted: 8/24/13 at 12:09pm

All That Jazz popped up on cable this week- Perhaps YOU need to re-watch it.

I think Fosse covered what he wanted from his youth- the scene of him tap dancing in Burlesque and getting a quick handy from a topless stripper just before he went on kinda says it all- vividly and in a thirty second musical number.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 12:12pm

BrodyFosse -- I guess you need to revisit what "to a degree" means.

And in some cases it's more than "mentioned." Remember the scene with him as a young kid with the stripper. Then he goes out on stage with the stain on his pants? That's not what I call "mentioned."

EDIT: Joe, we were writing the same remarks at the same time! LOL I just typed slower and stopped to feed the cat. :)

Updated On: 8/24/13 at 12:12 PM