Customer Reviews

Fame

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Hello,
I have not had the opportunity to view the DVD version of Fame yet but I plan to order it, so someday soon! However, I thought it was worth my time to interject on a couple of the reviews that have been posted.
First: one lady commented that this movie was not suitable for her child because of the language and nudity, so it deserved 1 star. Please note that this movie was rated R in the theatre, and is listed as Rated R here on Amazon. How much clearer does one need to be. Rated R MEANS not suitable for children. Do not blame the movie for your poor judgement. Do not use this review in deciding to purchase the DVD.
Second: A gentleman commented that this movie did not contain all of the music from the original stage production. Well,unless I am mistaken, that would be because the movie came first. The musical expanded upon the movie, as did the television show. So please know this when using his review.
Just my two cents on the matter. :)

This Alan Parker film came out in 1980, after the director had horrified everyone with visions of Turkish Prison in MIDNIGHT EXPRESS. But here we have a loving valentine to the kids of New York who dream of being performers at the high school for performing and visual arts. It's a musical, but one where the songs and dancing come out of the kids naturally as they goof off or perform for themselves or each other. You get to see four years of high school, and about 8 kids who reach varying levels of realizations about how hard the world really is when you want to be famous.

Finally FAME gets the DVD treatment! A widescreen transfer, featurettes, and a wonderful video commentary that shows 4 of the leads TODAY talking about their 15 minutes of notoriety as a star of FAME. It's a fun experience to see how they have aged, and what they remember of the filming. Alan Parker is the real star of the commentary though! He gets to talk over the entire movie, but thankfully he's witty and informative. My favorite tidbit was the original name of FAME was HOT LUNCH! Okay... that would have been ... disaster.

Best reason to own this? The music! You can watch the movie once, but I dare you to ever forget the title song "FAME". My personal fave is "Out Here On My Own" for sentimental reasons. You'll want to sign up for dance, voice, and acting lessons after this one.

See where all the hoopla started! Before the television shows, before the musical hit the stage ... there was this gritty movie showing foul-mouthed kids trying to make it in The Big Apple. Or at least through high school!

This Alan Parker film came out in 1980, after the director had horrified everyone with visions of Turkish Prison in MIDNIGHT EXPRESS. But here we have a loving valentine to the kids of New York who dream of being performers at the high school for performing and visual arts. It's a musical, but one where the songs and dancing come out of the kids naturally as they goof off or perform for themselves or each other. You get to see four years of high school, and about 8 kids who reach varying levels of realizations about how hard the world really is when you want to be famous.

Finally FAME gets the DVD treatment! A widescreen transfer, featurettes, and a wonderful video commentary that shows 4 of the leads TODAY talking about their 15 minutes of notoriety as a star of FAME. It's a fun experience to see how they have aged, and what they remember of the filming. Alan Parker is the real star of the commentary though! He gets to talk over the entire movie, but thankfully he's witty and informative. My favorite tidbit was the original name of FAME was HOT LUNCH! Okay... that would have been ... disaster.

Best reason to own this? The music! You can watch the movie once, but I dare you to ever forget the title song "FAME". My personal fave is "Out Here On My Own" for sentimental reasons. You'll want to sign up for dance, voice, and acting lessons after this one.

See where all the hoopla started! Before the television shows, before the musical hit the stage ... there was this gritty movie showing foul-mouthed kids trying to make it in The Big Apple. Or at least through high school!

A classic, not a Schindler's List or Silence of the Lambs type classic mind you, but an inspiring movie nonetheless that I will always remember. Im a student at a performing arts school in NYC-so much like the "Fame" school, and the movie captured the reality and pressure and desire and troubles so wonderfully. The characters were quite realistic...my absolute favorites were Leroy and Ralph, played brilliantly by Barry Miller. I get a kick out of seeing Paul McCrane play soft-spoken actor Montgomery...a far cry from Romano on ER! Fame deals with the rejection as well as the triumph in a school where its all about making it. The acting is top-notch. From Leroy, the troubled dancer who really grabbed my heart, to Doris, who thrives in the end, the characters arent one-dimensional like in so many movies you see. They didnt sugar-coat anything. They dealt with the problems of youth-learning disabilities, abuse, perfectionism, pregnancy without coming off as lecture-like. Not to mention the incredible score. I love this movie I had to buy a copy. I hope you like it as much as me!

On its release "Fame" resonated for me because I was 18, headed for NYC, and full of many of the same hopes and dreams as its characters had. I also saw it with a group of friends, all of us recent high school grads, and whether we were off to study medicine or law, music or architecture, the movie captured the essence of what its like to be on the way to new dreams. The score is brilliant through and through, and the performances nuanced, sweet and special. From the auditions at the outset of the movie to the final sweeping "Body Electric" the film is powerful for anyone who came of age in the 70s. We can all relate to seeing "Rocky Horror" for the first time, doing the "Time Warp" and being on the losing side of love. And, those of us with overbearing mothers could understand Doris's embarrassing moments with her own backstage mom. The film has guts, emotion, and passion to spare, and still stands as one of the last great musicals Hollywood produced. This one deserves a full re-release on DVD, and is far superior to later spin-offs like "Footloose" and "Flashdance." They all started here, with "Fame."

Wow,it has been a quarter-century since the theatrical release of this film! This is one of the Top 5 films of 1980,the four others being URBAN COWBOY,THE BLUE LAGOON,PRIVATE BENJAMIN and the Oscar-winning ORDINARY PEOPLE. This popular musical led to a television series and broadway play as well. Quite a few of the film cast members appeared on the NBC series as well,those being Debbie Allen,Lee Curreri,Albert Hague and Gene Anthony Ray. The film's star,Irene Cara,as Coco Hernandez was concentrating on her singing career when the series premiered in early 1982. Erica Gimpel played Coco although she hardly resembled Cara,facially. Curreri is Bruno Martelli,an aspiring musician studying at the New York School of Arts,filmed at the real-life establishment. Allen(sister of Phylicia Rashad) is Lydia Grant,a gorgeous dancing teacher(she sings as well). Hague is Dr. Albert Shorofsky,an orchestra/band teacher. Ray is Leroy Johnson,a somewhat mischievous student. In one scene,he stubbornly refuses to obey an order from his teacher(Anne Meara). Also in the film are Barry Miller("Saturday Night Fever"),Steve Inwood("Staying Alive"),Paul McCrane and Maureen Teefy("Grease 2"). Teefy played the character that Valerie Landsberg played on the series. The movie soundtrack features Cara performing the title track and in one scene of the film,the song is playing and Coco exclaims,"That's me!". In the middle of Times Square,a large crowd gathers and they all "strut their stuff"!. Coco is standing on the taxicab,which its radio is playing the song. Cara also performs OUT HERE ON MY OWN,which was a Top 20 hit like the title track. She plays the piano on OHOMO as well. Sadly,the good Lord took away Ray,Hague and director Alan Parker. Ray succumbed to complications from HIV and Parker was killed in an auto accident. After NBC pulled the plug on the series in the spring of 1983,production continued on a syndication basis. The soundtrack album was originally released on the RSO label,now available on its sister label,Polydor(the defunct RSO and Polydor are divisions of PolyGram). There should be a 25th anniversary edition with previously unseen footage. But then,I'm sure there are deleted scenes on this DVD.

With the nostalgia boom still packing a wallop in the DVD universe, everyone has a film or two they can't wait to get in this amazing format. Alan Parker's FAME nearly topped my list and it is a joy to behold anew -- sort of.

While its theme song seemed to play longer than the film's box office run, FAME touched a nerve with a generation desperate to achieve the American Dream of visible success. Many young people saw the allure of the High School of the Performing Arts. Even more saw the allure of New York City. Combined, FAME became a true cult classic that still resonantes today.

Watching the beautiful transfer of the film on DVD and hearing that memorable pop score again in the most pristine sound mix brought back a lot of youthful exuberence in a single moment. The names Irene Cara, Lee Curreri, Paul McCrane, Barry Miller, Gene Anthony Ray and Maureen Teefy may not ring bells today -- if you're 30-something, you know they also mean Coco, Bruno, Montgomery, Ralph Garcy, Leroy and Doris Finsecker. I speak for many in my generation when I say we all identified with one of these stock film archetypes.

Like most of the film's of the era, it is funny discovering that FAME isn't as deep as I remember. Still, what made it such a hot ticket were the songs. The musical numbers remain particularly effective, especially "Hot Lunch Jam" and Coco's lovely "Out Here on My Own," the ultimate teen angst ballad. And, I will never forget my first look at the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and the "Time Warp" on screen. If you were a Drama Club member, FAME was part of your repertoire.

Watching FAME as an adult also proved an indelible trip down memory lane and I am pleased to see that the film does hold much of its magic. While the cast failed to go on to other levels of success, their combined efforts in this film are peerless in their innocence on screen, despite their vibrant skills as actors, dancers, musicians or singers. Director Alan Parker sometimes overreaches in capturing themes like reckless youth, ambition, show business and other pathos, but the film is so low-tech in its presentation. Unencumbered by tricky camera work or other contrived stylistic conventions, the film remains spirited and alive, a hallmark of the pre-MTV age. For some, FAME may feel a little dated around the edges, but in this era of manufactured "American Idols," it is nice to recall how people sought to hone their crafts in a place of learning, not a reality show!

What is disappointing about this DVD are its lackluster special materials. Interviews were conducted with members of the original cast, none of which were cut into a reunion special. Instead, Warner Bros. offered the featurette from its original release publicity materials. Even worse, the "reunion" commentary is relegated to moments in a branching format that feature the cast as floating heads in dark space. It feel lazy and unispired, given the notoriety of the film, FAME deserved better.

Regardless, it goes without saying that FAME remains a great pleasure and welcome addition to any collection. It is going to live forever, after all.

Although I LOVED this movie when I was in college, I wasn't sure if my high school drama students would get anything out of it because it is more than 25 years old. However, my students talked about the characters for days and really enjoyed the movie. It is still timely and fresh, and they could relate to the characters. They greatly enjoyed the music, too. I would recommend this movie to any performance student or to anyone with a passion for his or her career. It is still quite an inspirational movie.

Fame is a movie about the four years of attending the High School of the Performing Arts in NYC. It starts off at the auditions and moves its way to graduation. Intertwined the students learn their craft, have dreams, and come into realization that the arts may not be all the glamour they thought it was. The extras in the movies are mostly students from the real high school and so there is some exceptionally beautiful modern dancing, music, and worthwhile performances.

There are so many reasons I could give for loving this movie.
First off the music is incredible. Though the title song Fame won the Academy Award, my favorite piece was Sing the Body Electric at the finale. It was amazing with the orchesta and the chorus of students with tambourines. It just makes you feel charged and positive. I admit to hitting scene select to that part just to hear it over and over. Irene Cara who has a part in the majority of the songs (also playing Coco), has the most beautiful voice, plus can really dance and act.
I also love this movie because it hits a note with anyone going through self identity. The way that kids entering high school grow up into themselves. The character (for instance) of Doris demonstrates that a nervous, fearful, and withdrawn girl whose mother is obsessed with her success can blossom into a strong independent lovely woman. Another character I love is Bruno, who hides in his music, but eventually warms up to Coco's (Irene Cara) friendship and affection. I love the scene when she plays on the piano and you can see in his face that he loves her.
The movie is also real in its portrayal of the hardships that these students are facing day to day such as poverty, violence, drugs, death, and sacrificing their health to be better performers. Fame shows the gifts these children have but also how grown up their problems are.
The last thing that I really want to mention is how extrememly talented these kids are. The dancing is sensational. One character is a beauiful ballerina, while another is a sensational modern dancer. The music numbers feature a lot of beautiful choreography that makes your eyes move throughout. Everytime I watch it I focus on another student because there is so much movement to take in. This musical will really waken your creative spirit. It makes you feel young and alive.

Forget the new reality show that is scuzzing up the good name of this movie. Forget the lackluster live stage show that uses the plot as an outline for a show that is less effective. Forget Fame L.A. which never tried to be anything but soap opera. Even forget that original TV show that, while entertaining, didn't have that edge that this film has.

Those expecting a big glitzy musical will be disappointed in this, the ultimate in late 70's and very early 80's young filmmaking. The honest story about performers that the film of A Chorus Line failed to be, possessing the urban edge that cheap films like Breakin' and Fast Forward, Fame has really stood the test of time in its message and mission.

Seeing the film again on DVD was another eye-opening experience. Too often these films get dumped by the studios that made them in cheap packaging with no extras. Warner Brothers went the extra mile with this release. Some have said that they did it to capitalize on the new show's expected popularity -- that's bunk. This is one of those classic films that many people tend to overlook. It deserves to have this treatment and the honor is long overdue. (I do have to say I HATE Warner Brothers still sticking with those terrible DVD cases...the covers can get scratched and dented so easily!)

Following the lives of several students at the NY High School of Performing Arts from Auditions through Graduation, Fame is inspirational to any performer/person even 23 years later. What I liked about this film is the 'slice of life' aspect of it. The film starts at auditions and ends at the final note of the graduation ceremony. That's it. The singing comes from a natural performance place...this is what these people do. The Hot Lunch Jam in the cafeteria, the lonely songwriter performing at a bare window, and, of course, the title song forever immortalized in the streets of NYC.

The performances are first rate with many unknowns and soon to be knowns flying across the screen. What a far cry from Dr. Romano is Paul McCrane's Monty!

I LOVED the cast commentary. Getting the chance to see these people all these years later and hearing their memories of their time working on this film and since is genius. I wish more studios got these kind of video/audio commentaries together. (Warner Brothers also did this with The Goonies...another treasure DVD). Alan Parker's commentary is interesting but a little repetitive. He'll say something and then repeat it several times...as if he's trying to keep talking until he can think of something else to say.

Thank you Warner Brothers for doing this film justice. 23 years later it has been restored to pristine condition, you packed on the necessary features without going overboard, and you've unleashed the film at a time when we need to remember that there was a time performers didn't all look like Greek Gods/Goddesses but we still loved, listened to, and aspired to be like them for true reasons. That's why you remember their names - Leroy, Doris, Coco, Bruno, Hilary, Monty, Ralph, Lisa, even Shirley Mulhullen...