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FAME |
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I tried very hard to remember what the original 1980 version of the movie "Fame" was all about. I remember some kids
dancing around. I remember a violin teacher telling a student to quite holding his bow like a penis. But mostly I remember the song by the same name. Everyone remembered that song... it was a big hit just like the movie. "Fame" officially launched the career of Irene Cara and spurred a television series by the same name. I don't remember
the TV show - I never watched it - but I think they were pushing the same song. The song seemed like it was a top hit for a few years. |
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The big player in the television series was Debbie Allen. She returns in the movie retread as Principle Simms.
She is pretty much all that is shared by my generations "Fame" and this new version. Kelsey Grammer and the
always hot (I think she's hot) Bebe Neuwirth re-unite along with Charles Dutton to guide wanna-be singers and dancers
through their courses and lives at New York's Academy of Performing Arts. Nothing much changes in storyline - eerily. It opens with the auditions of thousands of students for
admission to the illustrious school. They sing, dance, rap, and read lines. Only a few are admitted. The film locks in on those few lead by Naturi Naughton as Denise
a young lady with outstanding classical piano skills due to her overbearing fathers pushing.
Collins Pennie as Malik, a trouble kid from the hood, whose sister was killed on the streets - he harbors a lot of anger.
Kay Panabaker as a young lady with a lot of desire but not a lot of needed emotion. There is a kid from Iowa who wants to be a ballet star but has not talent. A pretty boy who catches a big break.
a loyal boy who is looking for miss right, yada, yada, yada. Each one has his/her drama and the film tries to spend time with each. |
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Which director kevin Tancharoen does fairly successfully. With only one slight drawback... Who cares! The characters are one dimensional and unoriginal. Their stories are the same. Nothing new. Sure the music and performances are nice though the dance productions borrowed heavily from the late great Bob Fosse to the
point he should have received choreographed credits. The story is predictable - very predictable. There was a moment when one student, upon learning he had no future considers suicide.
A good blood splatter would have help the film. At least to make it less predictable. I was waiting for some witty lines from Kelsey Grammer ala Frasier but got just him smiling telling students they were fine. C'mon, here was a perfect opportunity
for a guy who played Side Show Bob on the Simpsons to take some good shots at the talent. Or what about Bebe - didn't she have great repartee with Grammer in Cheers and later Frazier?
She gets in a couple of blunted barbs but nothing what we expect from the woman once known as Lillith! If you cast the talent why not use them? Seriously, Debbie Allen is in two scenes! TWO! Those are the failings of this reboot of "Fame". It is far too vanilla when it should have been as daring as the original. For those interested in tapping their feet, "Fame" is a winner. Otherwise, just purchase the inevitable soundtrack. --GEOFFREY BURTON
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