A Chorus Line (1985)

Sensational
I've never seen the stage version of "A Chorus Line" so my only reference point is the film version. And I thought it was great!!! This had to be difficult material to translate to film. The film starts with a stage filled with hundreds of applicants giving their all for a scant eight slots in a chorus line. With a wave of the hand the choreographer(Michael Douglas) whittles it to sixteen. The elimination process that the choreographer employs isn't so much an evaluation of dance technique. Rather, it's more like an interrogation where he asks the most personal details of the applicants lives. You sense the dreams and desperation of the auditioners. You have no real rooting interest here and you hope for the success for each of these youngsters. The songs and dance numbers are fine but it's the backstories of these fledgling hoofers that is the most compelling aspect of "A Chorus Line". There are few names in the cast of aspirants unless you count Janet Jones(Mrs. Wayne Gretzky) and Audrey Landers(of Landers Sisters fame) and Landers delivers the weakest solo in the film. This film on initial release received a lukewarm critical and public reception in 1985. There's definitely room for re-evaluation here. As far as I'm concerned "A Chorus Line" is superior to the Oscar winning "Chicago". Maybe the small screen is the perfect venue to appreciate this film. Director Richard Attenborough, who won an Oscar for "Gandhi", deserves kudoes for tackling tricky material.

A Great Movie Musical
Very entertaining, particularly if you love dance. It's uplifting and a great work of art. I highly recommend it and be sure to watch it at least 3 times.

A Great Movie Musical
Very entertaining, particularly if you love dance. It's uplifting and a great work of art. I highly recommend it and be sure to watch it at least 3 times.