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Should I see the film version of "A Little Night Music?"

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#1

Should I see the film version of "A Little Night Music?"

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:19pm

I've only seen clips of the film version of "A Little Night Music." Video tapes of it end up on ebay from time to time.

Have many of the posters here seen it? I remember when it came out, and it was quite a box-office failure.

Discuss...
#7

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:45pm

I would say netflix it, but don't buy it. The odds are too great you won't like it, and it tends to go for around $20+ new, which is a lot for a no frills DVD with a horrible transfer.

Myself, I do own it, and I consider it worth it solely for Diana Rigg's excellent Charlotte. It is the sole redeeming value of a woefully mishandled film.
"Your lyrics lack subtlety! You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!"

Updated On: 12/11/09 at 02:45 PM

#8

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:46pm

It's not very good, but I don't hate it completely. The Oscar-winning orchestrations are sumptuous, and it's wonderful to see Len Cariou and Hermione Gingold's performances captured, and I love Diane Rigg's Charlotte. The scenery and costumes are beautiful, too.

However, Hal Prince is not a film director. And it shows. Oh, how it shows. A lot of the changes are without reason and to the piece's detriment.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#10

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:52pm

Oh, also, I do have a soft spot for the rewritten "Glamorous Life", so sue me. I enjoy hearing it solely from Fredrika's POV.
"Your lyrics lack subtlety! You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!"
#12

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:00pm

It's actually not that bad. It's not that good either. It's static and boring plenty of the time, but the new "Glamorous Life" is excellent and "A Weekend in the Country" is well shot. See it only for the excellent costumes and a few good performances, though certainly not one from Liz Taylor, whose weight seems to fluxtuate (sp?) from shot to shot.
#13

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:13pm

I do love the film version of "The Glamorous Life"... but I'd rather just listen to it. I find the editing in the movie to be one of the major detriments to its watchability.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#16

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:56pm

By and large A Little Night Music is on the so-bad-its-bad list; really dreadful and do not miss it.
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher
#17

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 4:05pm

I was familiar with the show but had never seen it. I was to see a production of it at the Central City Opera House this past July 4th so I rented it from Netflix before I went. Not a bad movie but not the best. I agree with the editing. But it prepared me for the show which was very well done. And based on the clips for this new production, I think the production I saw was better. I do hope to see this new production on Broadway in March.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#20

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 5:17pm

And to be fair, anyone who plays Charlotte the way she's normally played (arch, caustic, etc) is going to be similar, but Moore really was a virtual recreation of Diana Rigg, with better singing like B12 said.
#22

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 7:28pm

Dan Savage's interview with Frank Rich- it came up talking about Sondheim- basically got me to never bother to make such an inquest. If a professional critic cannot sit through it than how can I?
#23

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 8:33pm

I remember buying trhe VHS, watching it once, and selling it on eBay.

Rivaled only by A Chorus Line for total failure to capture a great musical on film.
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#24

re: Should I see the film version of 'A Little Night Music?'

Posted: 12/11/09 at 10:22pm

There are worse movie musicals than this ( reNt comes to mind )but if you have never seen it, you should try to see it.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist. Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino. This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more. Tazber's: Reply to Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian

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