Chorus Line film

[puppet]

Posted: 9/11/08 at 11:59pm

I have just reread two books on the making of the original Chorus Line in NYC, "On the Line" and "What They Did for Love". Both of them really hated the film. I rented it just to see if it was as bad as the books indicated. I've seen the original on Broadway right after it opened and tours about 5 times.
The film is NOT the Broadway show, there are book changes and different choreography, but most of the songs are still there and are well done, except the girl who does "Nothing". The whole Cassie/Zach is a mess. Some of the actors with funny lines seem to be waiting for a laugh. But it is at least a record of parts of the show.
My biggest fault was that "What I Did For Love" was turned into a love song for Cassie thinking of Zach.
Taken for what it is, it can be enjoyable to a point. I know many will take issue with what I've written and they have a right to slam the whole film. Will be interesting to see the responses.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:37am

I saw A Chorus Line ( Film ) first when it came out in 1985 and having nothing to base it on, I thought the film was wonderful. Three years later in 1988 I had the chance to see the show on Broadway and was so disapointed with the tired, could not care less, phoned a performance in, from the cast that was on that night, that a group of high schoolers would have done a better job.

I still watch the film and enjoy it, for me, it is A Chorus Line.

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:48am

I think the song "What I Did For Love" can still be taken to have its original meaning - the love of the dance/performing, etc. But, with Cassie singing it it seems she's talking about her love for Zach. I disagree and think she's considering her giving up of Zach as what she did for love of the stage. I think it is MUCH more powerful the way it is presented in the original show, of course, but after MUCH thought I think the original meaning is still there, to some extent, in the movie.

The movie was my first introduction to A CHORUS LINE and I love it. Yes, it has MANY faults and the show is FAR superior, but I don't think the movie is quite the travesty people make it out to be. Of course, I feel the same way about a LOT of movie versions reviled by many: ANNIE and THE WIZ to name a couple of others.

Updated On: 9/12/08 at 01:48 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:56am

I really don't care for the film. I saw it once when it came out, after seeing it on Broadway, and that was enough.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:57am

Ha, I actually just got done watching a couple of minutes ago. I'll admit, I own it.

I do enjoy it, but it is EXTREMELY flawed. And "Surprise" has to be the dumbest song ever.

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 2:01am

Well, I've seen the movie once.. and I've seen the show on Broadway twice. I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that the show far exceeds anything that can be put to celluloid. The magic of a show like this *similarly to the Rent film* is that generally speaking you need to be there to really get the full experience. The book changes to me are maddening. But then again, different medium.

Perhaps I should revisit the film now that I've become somewhat of junkie with this show and I might find the film's merit. But as I'm typing this, film=mediocre, show=incredible

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 2:03am

I had successfully removed this abomination from my memory until this thread appeared ...... where were Rob Marshall and Bill Condon when we needed them.

(I'm always amazed when Hollywood does unnecessary remakes on movies that got it right the first time when they should be remaking movies that screwed it up - and CHORUS LINE would be a perfect candidate.)

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 2:09am

Does anyone else wish they had filmed the recent revival for PBS or DVD release to preserve an actual representation of the show for posterity??!!?

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 2:28am

yes bob i do.

hehe

[puppet]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:19am

I wish someone like Rob Marshall would do a new film that would preserve the real show.

[amoni]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:30am

Got to go to the World Premiere at Radio City Music Hall. Some knucklehead scheduled it the same night as the Tree Lighting Ceremony so you could imagine the chaos in the area. Met Richard Attenborough, Michael Douglas and Audrey Landers(who was actually shaking, she was so nervous) before the screening. No where near the show but the movie is actually boring in stretches. Years later, I had Terrance Mann sign the DVD at the BCEFA Flea Market where he had fond memories making it.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:33am

As much as I *hate* the changes, I do enjoy the movie and it's awkwardness.

[Sinfonia2001]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:50am

I like both the movie and the show. WHat I didn't like about the Broadway show was the Cassie's dance solo wasn;t anything special. In the movie she did a lot more harder-looking technical stuff and it was great! But on stage I was expecting her to show off something brilliant , but no.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:52am

I loved the film version I just wished they wouldn't have cut down hello twelve hello thirteen. I allso really liked the new song they gave to cassie I like it bettet than the music and the mirror even though It's a good song. and even though I really like the stage version of what I did for love I really like how they portrayed in the film.The film really brightens my day

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:55am

Sinfonia-
Who did you see dance it? The video clips out there of Donna McKechnie and Cheryl Clark *make* it special.

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 2:44am

I agree with Sinfonia. I kept waiting for something special to happen. I bet it was just because of the actress I saw, not the choreography.

I do like the stage version much better than the movie though.

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 2:47am

I think that Cassie's much like other roles are truly objective as a viewer. It really does become one person's trash being another's treasure. Very rarely are you lukewarm on her. I have only seen two IN PERSON. But I've seen several versions on the site-which-will-not-be-named.

But this is getting off topic.

sorry

[Urban]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 5:37am

The best thing I have always found about the film is that the try-out version of 'One' (I know there is a better term then 'try-out' but I am completely blanking on it at the moment), anyway, the try-out version actually sounded like it should suppose to be - not that great, a little awkward and not there in terms of quality. I have found in the show, the try-out version is a little to polished for my taste.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 8:56am

I saw the stage show first, then the film. And I must say, I hated the film so much. Truly appalling.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 9:21am

One of the few movies in my life I have never been able to get through, I thought it was that bad. I had to actually turn it off. So awful.

[masb19872]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 10:46am

I grew up on the film, so I'm not exactly unbiased. But in my mind, just like with any other movie based on a musical, the movie's separate from the musical. I love them both, and just don't think of them as being related. As long as I separate the two, and recognize the movie for what is (an 80s dance movie), it's great.
Updated On: 9/13/08 at 10:46 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 10:53am

It's a super-colossal '80s train wreck.

And it's not "The Apple" bad or "Valley of the Dolls" bad.

It's just bad.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 11:40am

i knew the movie before knowing the stage version. I thought overall it was ok. The singing was bad, acting ok & poor 80s choreography. Once I saw a stage version(at my local community theatre) I thought who the heck screwed up that movie. There's a few(very few) highlights in the movie. Terrence Mann as Larry, Vicki Frederick as Sheila, Yamil Borges as Diana, & Gregg Burge as Richie. Too much was changed and altered and Michael Bennett wasn't involved that made the movie bomb.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:13pm

Well, at least Nicole Fosse is in it.


And was anyone else appalled by the Cassie in the movie? Oy. I just kept thinking about how I didn't want her to get picked.

[winston89]

Posted: 9/13/08 at 12:32pm

I remember watching a clip of One where it zoomed out and you saw a whole group of people dressed up in gold kicking until the credits started to role. Needless to say, there was actually one person who fell flat on their ass. However, everyone still went on kicking.