Should have left it on the shelf! (Fame (DVD))

Member Name: sewbizzie

Product:	Fame (DVD)
Date:	06/11/09 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: erm........ good songs

Disadvantages: Weak plot, wooden acting, very dated

I bought this DVD nearly 2 years ago now and it was only recently as I had seen the trailers on the TV for the remake of the film that I decided I would dust it off and give it a watch. I was expecting good things from the film as I can vaguely remember the TV series of the same name being so popular, I have to say I was very disappointed by it.

It is the audition time at the School of Performing Arts in New York City and so many people have turned up hoping to get a place and make it in the big time. We move through the auditions and see some very funny auditions and on the other hand some very good ones. We then start the new school terms and find out how got a place.

We meet around 6 main people who we then follow on their ups and down through their school time and their life outside of the school. Some of the main students include, Coco, Doris, Raul and Montgomery. Just will these students get to finish school and will any of them get the fame they so desperately want?

Well the plot may sound a little basic but this is really all there is to the film. I did find there was a little about the student outside of school but it was mainly centred around the School and their school work.

For me I was expecting a lot but was sadly disappointed. I know the film was made back in 1980 but for me it just looked very cheap and as if they had no interest in making a good script or some likable and nice characters. The characters which we did have were all very different in appearance and attitude and I think the diverse mix may have worked slightly better if they had a better script to work with. I think the actors who took on the roles of the students did not do a very bad job but they all seemed so wooden when speaking and their was not much chemistry between them all.

The one positive which I got from the film was the songs and dancing. I found that this made the film slightly more watch able and for me was probably the best bit. I enjoyed all of the tracks which were played and thought they did al fit into the film very well. For me the vocals were quite good but I just felt that on some of the tracks these could have been better as the singers were supposed to have been good at their profession.

As I said before this film was made in 1980 and I have to say this was very apparent right from the very start. The clothes were very funny to see and I am so glad I was not born until 1981 so I did not fall victim to this awful fashion! Even the sets and scenery looked very dated and I really don't think this film would stand up in today's market as it is. I think I will watch the remake to see if the film and storyline has been improved and revamped to make it stand out in today's market.

I was slightly shocked with the use of bad language and nudity in this film as I really was not expecting it. My Nan was watching this with me at the time as she too commented on it. We were both wondering if this had been toned down or removed for the stage version of the film. If anyone has seen this on stage then please do let me know as both me and Nan would like to know.

The DVD which I have does have some bonus features which include:-

Commentary by Director Alan Parker
Class reunion Interview featuring Director Alan Parker and Co-stars Lee Curreri, Laura Dean, Gene Anthony Ray and Maureen Teefy
Making of Fame Featurettes
Fame Field Trip visit's the school that inspired the movie
Trailer

I have watched any of these so I am not able to make comment on the,

The running time of the film is 128 minutes and I personally found this was very long and at times I was very bored. The certificate is a 15 and I do agree with this as there is a lot of strong language and moderate nudity. I paid just £3 for this DVD over 2 years ago now and I think this was a reasonable price.

Overall I just cannot recommend this film as it left me disappointed and let down as I was expecting good things. I am so hoping the remake is much better than the original.

Summary: The life of students at New York Performing arts school looking for fame