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| a film musical by Bob Fosse |
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| 1972 | 118 mins | US |
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| ›› Cabaret |
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| a musical depiction of decadent life in pre-Hitler Berlin |
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| winner of 3 Golden Globes®, 7 BAFTAs® and 8 Academy® awards |
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| available on DVD as The Standard Edition and 30th Anniversary Special Edition |
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starring: Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Helmut Griem, Joel Grey, Fritz Wepper, Marisa Berenson,
Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel, Helen Vita, Sigrid von Richthofen, Gerd Vespermann,
Ralf Wolter, Georg Hartmann, Ricky Renée
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PRODUCTION NUMBERS:
Willkommen | Mein Herr | Watschentanz - The Slap Dance | Maybe This Time | Money, Money
Two Ladies | Tomorrow Belongs To Me | Tiller Girls / Drum Cascade
If You Could See Her | Cabaret | Willkommen - Finale
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What can be said of this multi-award winning film musical, that hasn't already been said?
Well how about the fact that this feature marked one of the first mainstream films that
celebrated homosexuality, just as openly as it did heterosexuality. For finally
here was a film in which the theme of sexual diversity was not only an integral
part of the plot, but one that arrived with the classic line 'maybe you
just don't sleep with girls - oh, you don't!'
But that's OK. For this is Berlin 1931 style, one where just about anything went - and did. And
if you happen to be in the business of providing entertainment chanteuse fashion, then you could
well find yourself in demand. Such is the life of Kit Kat Klub singer Sally Bowles, a woman who
is soon to find herself sharing her lodgings with upper class English teacher Brian Roberts,
only for her to discover that whilst he loves her personality, he's not exactly in love
with her body. Rather he's in love with the physique of one Maximilian von Heune.
Trouble is - so is Sally. But that's the least of their problems, given the
rising tide of fascism can be seen lurking in the shadows.
In short, this is Bob Fosse's acclaimed film adaptation of the play by John van Druten, as
based on the stories by Christopher Isherwood and a film musical that contains a series
of timeless song-and-dance numbers from the like of 'Money, Money' and 'Maybe This Time' to
the exuberant title routine. And yet this is not a Minnelli show - well not entirely, as
Joel Grey steals the spotlight from her from time to time in his brilliant portrayal of
the Master of Ceremonies. Both were rightly rewarded for their outstanding performances,
in a film that went on to win 3 Golden Globe® awards, 7 BAFTA® awards and
8 Academy® awards, including those for Best Director, Best Actor
in a Supporting Role and Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Then again, what we have here is a career-defining performance from Minnelli, one that shot her
to the top of the Hollywood ladder, only for her to discover that few in the business can stay there
for long. For whether by way of poor management or sheer bad luck, the fact remains that all too few
of the films that Minnelli would star in thereafter, would showcase her immense talent, as this
feature so brilliantly did. And whilst this is not to take anything away from the fine work
from Michael York as Brian Roberts and Helmut Griem as Maximilian von Heune; it is to say
that they are simply upstaged by the outstanding Minnelli / Grey double act.
The result is a screen classic; showcasing as-it-does the spectrum of sexual diversity,
whilst capturing Minnelli at her best. Simply wonderful.
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| Copyright 2004 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. |
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