Written by: Robert Alan Arthur & Bob Fosse

Directed by: Bob Fosse

Brandon Comments:

It’s difficult to categorize ‘All That Jazz’ into one distinct genre – the only classification that can come close would be the “Fuck Yeah” genre.

 

I’ve seen 90% of this movie twice, and that 90% I loved both times. But it wasn’t until Wednesday at Movienight that I saw the whole thing together, the way it was supposed to be, on a widescreen with a crowd. And after seeing all 100% of ‘All That Jazz’ I am still completely blown away by it…if not more so now.

 

Roy Scheider is flat-out amazing. Knowing nothing of the acting process, the only way I judge a thespian’s performance is by whether I lose myself in the movie, and if I don’t see the actor as an “actor” but as the character. Scheider, baby…you became Bob Fosse for me, from the first minute in till the “Bye Bye Love” climax at the end. The pill-popping, chain-smoking, womanizing choreographer of ‘Cabaret’ fame will forever look just like the same guy that killed a 28-foot Great White shark in Amity.  

 

I couldn’t judge the Crew’s reaction to the film, so it will be interesting to see the posted reviews. But I got a funny feeling ‘All That Jazz’ is gonna do just fine by the critics. Excellent choice, Tooda! And thanks again for hosting the festivities. 

Buffy Comments:

I think Wiener may have misunderstood my comment at the end of this film, something along the lines of, “Oh well, we’re all going to die.” I hadn’t meant it as a downer, more like, well—whatever you do, you leave it all behind. And if you’re a guy playing Fosse and leaving it behind for Jessica Lange, death can’t be all that bad (however, in my case, I’d like death to be Joey Ramone).

Funny thing, you know I had that weird didn’t-sit-well thing at the previous Movienight? Appropos of nothing? On the way over last week I realized that it was stemming from my problems with commitment. Is that just ridiculously stupid or what? Just going to the same place each week, despite the enjoyment and good times, somehow makes me feel stressed out. Ha. I thank Movienight for the opportunity to face this demon and discover this basic thing about me. The film certainly explored the theme. It reminded me quite a bit of Fellini’s ‘8 ½,’ in fact it was almost the same film in many ways. The feeling that one had run out of ideas, the dream-like sequences, the parade of women…very similar. But with jazz hands. Which is just like my life. Except without as much screwing (sadly).

I found myself singing “There’s No Business Like Show Business” pretty early on for some reason, and was delighted when that song rolled over the end credits. What is it about show business that is so appealing? For performers and audiences, what is it that makes us love it so very, very much? I guess some people lose themselves in work, no matter what it is, but the way a show person will go so far with it, and be so dazzled by it, and bring so many people along for the ride…

Besides the commitment issues and love of show biz linking me to this film, it occurs to me that I’d spend my last few days in the hospital partying with friends. Without question, there would be a Movienight—I’d have to sneak out, I’m sure but that would be half the fun.

Thanks, Tooda.

Nubs Comments:

There is no other film like ‘All That Jazz.’ We’ve heard of one “writing their own epitaph”, but never has anyone written their own epitaph, cast it, shot it, and distributed it as a award winning musical motion picture. It works beautifully.

Whatever we think of his film, is what we think of the man, the icon, Bob Fosse. The talent, the vision, the ingenuity, the bravado and all that jazz we love Fosse for, is what we love about ‘All That Jazz.’ By the same accord, any fault I could try to critique about the film is just problems people had with Bob Fosse. Was the movie too obsessed with sex, too preoccupied with death, takes too slow to make its point, too masturbatory, too in love with itself? Yes, but so was the man. As the movie illustrates, it is impossible to separate Bob Fosse from his work. . Love him or leave him, and apparently many did.

It is interesting to watch this movie again 10 years older than at my first viewing. When Tooda (Ben then) first showed me this ode to the artist’s life in his smoky New York apartment, I was just a wide-eyed partying acting/director in Manhattan. I wasn’t sure if the movie was trying to tell me the down side, but I was sold on the life. Sure, I may die younger than most - but will have lived much more than most. “Better to burn out, than to fade away.”

Now that I’m not a famous artist with groupies at my beck and call, its time to go with Plan B. Its true what the poor man’s Lenny Bruce says, I do have a deep-rooted fear of mediocrity. Don’t we all. I thank Davis for showing me this again on the heels of quitting smoking and the precipice of the eternal damnation of three kids. Its different seeing it now with a daughter old enough to tell me, “One of these days…” It’s not failure, it’s Plan B; Better to fade out slowly, than to burn out. Oh, well.

SELECTOR Comments:

First and foremost, our temporary indoor home has a somewhat chilling effect on the Selection process. I don’t want to bring a film I’ll regret not watching outdoors. We gotta get back outside people. I will be checking Wiener’s Back Yard this week and see what the feasibility is vis a vis returning to the Purple Brick Wall. If not there, I am just about ready to get imaginative with the roof of 7850.

‘All That Jazz’ is one of my favorite films. To be sure, it is a dark story, but I find it so filled with life. This was one of the films I got to see way too young rather than be left at home with a baby sitter. The open heart surgery remains upsetting, but when I saw that chest open up twenty feet high – it fucked me up pretty good. As one of my favorites, I have seen Fosse’s opus many times, and felt that I could live with watching it indoors. Add to that Nubs’ request for a non-smoker friendly film, and the stage was set for Fosse’s swan song.

I have spent a great many years in the theater, and it teaches you about the painful nature of ephemeral things. For all the pain, sweat and tears that go into mounting a show, when it is finished – it is finished. Film has become much more attractive to me for the permanence it provides. Fosse shows us in ‘All That Jazz’ the great traumas one endures to make a collaborative work of art. He crafts a man who lives with loss all the time, and yet he learns to thrive in that environment. With blood pouring down the front of his hospital gown, Gideon/Fosse skips through the hospital, embracing each moment. For all the messes he admits he’s made with his life, Fosse teaches us the value of the moment. Ephemera has forced him to cherish things while they last, for soon enough the finale will end, the curtain will fall, and the unsympathetic orderly will zip the bag up over your head.

I was surprised, and I guess pleased, that so many had already seen this film. For all of its significance in my own life, I find it is a film that many others have overlooked. I hope it was enjoyed, and look forward to this Wednesday when Buffy finally gets a crack at Selecting.

Onwards.

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