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Fame [1980] (REGION 1) (NTSC)


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

This early effort by director Alan Parker is lively but jagged as it follows four students through their years in the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Rather predictably, the kids fall into four clearly defined stereotypes: brazen, gay and hypersensitive, prickly, shy. Fame makes up for a disjointed presentation with a lot of heart and a great soundtrack (for which it won two Academy Awards). The hopes and disappointments, failures and successes of these teens are fodder for emotional scenes and exuberant dancing in the streets. It also turned out to be the first of many imitators and spawned a popular television series. (It was the breakout film for the short-lived feature-film career of Irene Cara, who sang the title song.) --Rochelle O'Gorman

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Fame helped to launch the 1980s on a tide of aspiration, creating a successful television series, kick-starting the leg-warmer industry and inspiring us all with the idea that with talent, a lot of hard work, plenty of suffering and luck, anybody might, one day, become a star. Nostalgia inevitably endows Fame with its own golden glow for anyone in the region of 40. And as we drown in the karaoke-by-numbers of today's cynical television talent shows, its touchingly innocent quality makes for a poignant and telling contrast.

In truth, director Alan Parker's film is a collage of the disciplines on offer at New York's High School of Performing Arts. The characters are sketchy totems for the emotional and domestic conflicts that drive their dreams--Leroy, Doris and friends needed the television spin-off to give them substance--but Parker is brilliant at conveying the intensity and heartache of their collective journey, from the paralysing nerves of the auditions to the strain of maintaining a rounded education alongside the development of performance skills and the ultimate thrill of graduation. By the end, thanks to the familiarity of the thudding disco soundtrack, you really do want them all to "live forever".

On the DVD: Fame scores all over again on DVD with its widescreen format and a thumping soundtrack: the moment when the kids burst out onto the street and stop the traffic is a bit of 1980s cinema magic. Alan Parker leads the class reunion commentary, helped by many of the cast. The film is clearly still important to them all. Other extras include a visit to today's school (hardly changed in philosophy or the passion of its real-life students), a vintage featurette and face-to-face interviews which basically recycle the commentary. --Piers Ford


To be honest, i was a bit disapointed.
Review date: 2008-08-25 Rating: 4 out of 10

I bought this film on a whim because it was cheap in a shop, though looking forward to watching as i had heard it was a great film. But when i watched it i was quite disapointed. Not a huge amount happens, and i would have liked to have seen more singing and dancing. Also the storyline isn't great, they had too many main characters and therefore there wasnt enough time to form an attatchment to the characters or to develop they're story further. Altough it was a plesant watch, i wouldn't be in a hurry to watch it again.


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Reviews


Dissapointing at best
Review date: 2007-11-11 Rating: 4 out of 10

I rented this film with expectations that if nothing else it might be quite good fun. It wasn't. It's not the worst film I've seen but it's the kind of thing that should have gone straight to video rather than into the cinemas.

What is so wrong with the film I hear you ask? OK here goes:

1. Some of the worst acting I have ever seen - truly woeful
2. An attempt to have a 'serious' storyline that in the end is completely unbelievable.
3. Too many characters that we concentrate on for 5-10 minutes of the film and therefore learn nothing about. This means we don't care about them. In any case the stories are so messed up that it's pretty hard to follow what exactly is going on.

So in summary a pretty weak film. If it's on the box on a wet Sunday in November it might be worth watching. Otherwise stay well clear.

One of the worst movies I've ever seen
Review date: 2007-08-03 Rating: 2 out of 10

Well, I bought this movie thinking that it would be great as it's meant to be one of the classics and has great reviews on Amazon. However, while watching the movie I just couldn't wait it for it to end!

It was based on some people who go to some singing, acting and dancing school, but the problem was that there was no real storyline. At times it would seem as though it was starting to develop one but it never did. I thought the movie was a complete waste of time - I could probably make something more entertaining with my own camcorder at home!

Overall, I thought this movie was boring, pointless, quite disgusting at times and, again, just a waste of time. I would advise you not to buy it without watching it first! Borrow it from a friend or rent it, because I just feel like throwing it away! This is one movie that I do not intend on watching again!

Second to none
Review date: 2007-07-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

This movie which I went to see at the cinema on its original release in 1980 (possibly 1981), was for me a great film then and its a great film now. Sure its a little dated in parts but thats when you look at the technology and the clothing. There was no Internet, no CD's no walkmans, no ipods but disco was still about and rap music wasn't around so yeah it was different time but the energy from the film allows you to ignore all that and just breath in all the talent on show within the film. Looking at the film again you pick up on some of the background characters in the film but the best bit in the film has to be the hot lunch jam session and I know they don't really do that in the cafeteria at music school but I wish they did. Do todays kids have the same talent as those in the film I am not so sure as they have way too many other distractions. Fame is the best.

A brilliant movie
Review date: 2007-03-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

Fame is a brilliant movie. Why? The storyline attached to it, is an accurate and realistic portrayal of what reality is like for a group of students in a performing arts school over a course of four years.

The message the movie conveys that is not an easy to achieve stardom, unless you demonstrate sheer dedication and commitment in achieving the goals. The movie shows that the fortunes are mixed for various characters. The issue of stardom is really well tackled. I found certain scenes of the movie touching and emotional and I felt genuine sympathy the frustration certain characters experienced. The movie is inspirational, in the sense that many realities TV shows today's, have adopted the idea of opening up opportunities to achieve stardom, but in an ideal world is not easy to achieve. You neither got it nor have not. The show business theme is fascinating and interesting to know about.

The movie is set in the 1980's, and is a little outdated in terms of fashion and technology. Storyline, powerful characters and background music propels this movie to obtaining a brilliant review from me. I really enjoyed the movie and found it entertaining, but a little emotional. Fame is a superb musical movie for all to enjoy and a great DVD to include in your collection. The extras accompanying the DVD are first class. Absolutely brilliant stuff and I could not ask for any more.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Laura Dean
Eddie Barth
Lee Curreri
Irene Cara
Antonia Franceschi

Creators:
Eddie Barth (Primary Contributor)
Irene Cara (Primary Contributor)
Michael Seresin (Cinematographer)
Mark Schneider (Writer)
Alan Marshall (Producer)
David De Silva (Producer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 9780790745633
Binding: DVD
ISBN: 0790745631
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC,
Release date: 2003-06-03
Universal product code (UPC): 012569514522
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 133 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1980-05-16
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Dubbed)

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