When I was a kid, Fame was like M*A*S*H. Both were films I wasn’t allowed to see but had offshoot TV series I could. I didn’t watch Fame the TV show, but I did like M*A*S*H (no matter how many times my brother says he ‘discovered’ it, it was me).
Anyway, I remember certain moments from the show; Leroy’s antics, the crazy old Mr Shorofsky, the lack of Irene Cara...
And many others.
"Maybe I die undiscovered and my ghost gets the Grammy!" |
Everyone must know this story by now, but here goes anyway. Fame follows the trials and tribulations of going to a special school for the arts, where kids learn darnce, theatre lighting and other important things (cartooning and animation notably missing). On top of that they must also do regular schoolwork (like dating, the prom and peer pressure). We follow the progress of several kids from auditions to graduation and, amidst this, their personal lives and how they change.
There are several things which date this film severely that might put some people off. Synthesiser music. No spandex or lycra workout gear...
And many others.
I found the progress through the years odd as a whole year could go by in 20 minutes with some storylines left unresolved (in Harry Potter they do a full year over three hours!) There just doesn’t seem to be much substance to the story as we are dragged through one success or failure after another. There have certainly been many, many films since that have dealt with similar themes of fame, youth alienation, coming out, first love...
And many others. But these have come later. Like the first computers were once state of the art, now they’re dinosaurs. Know what I mean? This film is outdated and slow by the newer standards of filmmaking that have come since. I really feel characters aren’t defined well enough and they are catering to too many of them throughout. Plus, too many aspects of ‘fame’ itself. Comedy, darnce, singing, acting, music...
And many others. Also, there are a couple of musical numbers (that aren’t part of a show) that kinda confused me a little. Is this a musical or not? It just doesn’t seem to be able to make up its mind (there are only three big numbers, by the way).
I seriously looked forward to watching this film (finally, after so many years. Take that Mum!) but was let down by its sluggish story and outdated themes. I really tried my hardest to like it, I really did. Every generation has its rebel youth picture(s) doesn’t it? Fame worked well at the time it was in cinemas (1980) but as for now it doesn’t have the durability of others like Rebel Without a Cause, Grease...
And many others.
Well, the video here actually looks pretty good considering. Delivered in 1.85:1 with 16:9 enhancement, the picture is quite clean and free of artefacts. There are a couple to be fair, but not a lot, which is a plus. Shadows are a little deep but fluctuate in being free of detail and divulging details. Blacks look good throughout while a lot of the colour is fairly even and well balanced. Some close ups of neon get pretty heavy, but this is deliberate I’m sure.
Instances incorporating hand held (and thereby shaky) cameras add to the backstage tension of several scenes, but some usage doesn’t seem justified, unless we take into consideration the use of actual interiors and their cramped conditions. Flesh tones are all okay if occasionally a little pallid, but I figure that’s from ballerinas drinking TAB or dipping into the talcum powder.
A movie about showbiz must feature music and to do so it should deliver that music with decent sound. To this end, Fame has itself a nice Dolby Digital 5.1 surround setup that brings every synthesised track, prima donna outburst or teacher rant to pristine life. After listening to some quite dodgy songs or some dodgier synthesised music, you may wonder if it was entirely necessary, but that I shall leave with you.
Dialogue is delivered fairly well with plenty of Bronx accents strewn about liberally and sound effects are all okay as well, but music is the winner of this audio package.