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Fame is one of those movies I just love to watch--and watch and watch over again! It's the perennial story of anyone's dreams of reaching their life goals whether it be becoming rich and famous, a life-saving surgeon or, in this case, a fine young member of the performing arts. The casting was very well done and the acting was particularly well done; I was convinced every step of the way that these actors were real people and not just actors playing roles. Of course, for a movie about students at a high school for the performing arts, choreography and cinematography matter a lot--and wow, how they shine! The plot moves along at a very good pace and because the film follows a few students over the course of the four years of high school we get excellent character development.
The film starts with a day of auditions at New York's High School of the Performing Arts (based on the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan). Some students are selected for admission and some are not. We meet Coco (Irene Cara); Doris (Maureen Teefy); Bruno (Lee Curreri); Lisa (Laura Dean); Montgomery (Paul McCrane) and more. Teacher standouts are English professor Mrs. Sherwood (Anne Meara) and Shorofsky (Albert Hague). We also meet Leroy (Gene Anthony Ray) who does an outstanding job of portraying a young street thug who accompanies a girlfriend on her audition--and gets selected himself while she gets rejected by the school's admissions committee!
As the film progresses the relationships between these people are poignantly developed and we get a real feeling for the challenges young people must face when they start a rigorous four year program to better themselves not only as artists but as human beings with a good education in English, math and more. Predictably, there are many highs and lows; but as the flows it's all so tender and compassionate to the main characters that they become immeasurably endearing and the film a true testament to their commitment to make something of themselves in their chosen profession. In addition, the film is not afraid to depict life as it really is for underprivileged students; thus there is also a gritty quality to Fame.
The DVD comes with some extras; the best in my opinion would be the featurette that has the main actors in this movie being interviewed quite a few years later after the movie was made. The quality of the print is excellent.
You owe it to yourself to see Fame. It's brilliantly executed and there's little, if anything, to be desired as I think about it. I especially recommend this for fans of the arts and the actors in this film.
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I received the movie only a few days after I ordered it. The seller even included a note saying they hoped I enjoy the movie. I'd definitely do business with this seller again.
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This is the original version of the movie Fame. It has a better plot line and is quite a bit more "real" than the newer version.
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Long before the perky cheerfulness of "Glee" or Disney's "High School Musical" (please pardon me while I puke!), there was Alan Parker's original 1980 film "Fame." Parker and screenwriter Christopher Gore crafted a gritty, episodic, often cynical and disturbing, look at the lives of a diverse group of students attending New York City's School of the Performing Arts. These students are not the shiny, happy, smiling types found in "feel-good musicals." These students live in the real world. "Fame" more than deserves its "R" rating. The students have flithy mouths-- especially the illiterate, dancing wonder Le Roy Johnson (the late Gene Anthony Ray), who frequently trash-talks his English teacher Mrs. Sherwood (Anne Merra). Why should Leroy care about his English homework when he can dance up a storm? Debbie Allen, who later played a prominent role in the subsequent "Fame" TV Series, has a cameo role here as an instructor who goes gaga for Leroy's dance audition.
The film features, rather boldly (for 1980) but correctly, a gay student named Montgomery (Paul McCrane). Montgomery "comes out" to the school during a "difficult memory" exercise in drama class. Montgomery is befriended by Doris (Maureen Teefey), who is unsure of exactly how she fits in to the school. Montgomery also endures cruel teasing from his "friend" Ralph (Barry Miller). Somehow, Ralph wins Doris' affections and keeps his friendship with Montgomery intact. It's difficult to understand how. Leroy has "attitude", but the brash and abrasive Ralph is downright unlikeable. Ralph idolizes Freddy Prince. After one night of sizzling success as a stand-up comic, arrogant Ralph blows his shot at the big-time. I was actually happy to see Ralph get what he deserved. For the record, the character of Montgomery was featured in Season One of the "Fame" TV series (played by actor P.R. Paul), although his homosexuality is never mentioned. One of the most introspective students is Bruno Martelli
(Lee Curreri) who would rather compose music in silence rather than play music for millions. A teacher admonishes him, "that's not music, Mr. Martelli, that's masturbation."
During Sophomore year, a rather snobby ballet student has an affair with Leroy, and sees her dance dreams end apruptly when she has to have an abortion. Even optimistic, resourseful Coca (Irene Cara), who is sure she is going to make it (she sings the rousing and unforgettable "Fame" Oscar winning theme song), receives a rude show-business awakening. Senior year, she is approached by a man in a coffee shop who asks her if she'd like to be in a movie. She goes to his apartment-- whereupon the slezebag tells her to take her top off on camera. Humilated, Coca does so, as tears fall down her face.
At times, Parker is unsure of where he is going with the characters and the multiple, criss-crossing storylines. Yet, an aura of uncertainty is appropriate in a film that couragously, artfully, and realistically depicts the high and lows (mostly the lows) of hoped-for show business fame. The word "courageous" can hardly be applied to the 2009 "Fame" film remake. In fairness, I have no desire to see it and I will not, but I hear it's all very "PG-rated" tepid and antiseptic. The 2009 "Fame" seems to have taken a great, dancing leap backwards. Thank you, but I'll stick with the bold and brazen 1980 Original.
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I loved this movie when it originally came and and felt no different when I recieved it and popped it into my dvd player. The delivery was timely and the movie was comparably priced. It was brand new as promised and was an absolute joy to watch. I had forgotten on good this movie was.
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