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Sweet Charity

The Best Odds I Ever Had, Jui 14 2003

To start with, you've got some seriously talented women working at peak form here. Shirley MacLaine may not entirely fill Gwen Verdon's dancing shoes - who could? - but she makes a delightful Charity nonetheless. If you're looking for proof, simply watch the opening credits; not since Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast At Tiffany's" has an actress so thoroughly nailed a character in her first few minutes of screen time. There may be some overly cute moments here and there (for which the director and/or screenwriter must share resposibility), but there's no denying MacLaine gives a very real and touching performance. As for Chita Rivera, she's so hot in "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This" she practically burns a hole in the screen. Paula Kelly has some pretty hot moves too, not to mention a great way with a one-liner ("Oh girl, do you know how many guys are running around this city carrying pocket books?"). And though Suzanne Charny may not be a household name, she dances her way into silver screen immortality with "Rich Man's Frug" - after you've seen her in this number, I doubt you'll ever forget her (and keep an eye out for a dynamic young Ben Vereen in the ensemble).

Which brings us to the musical numbers, most of which are dynamite - which isn't too surprising, considering Fosse was not only a great choreographer, but also a veteran of the hallowed MGM Movie Musical era. The aforementioned "Rich Man's Frug" and "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This" are both showstoppers, as are "Big Spender," "If My Friends Could See Me Now," and "I'm A Brass Band" (imaginative use of NYC locations like the Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium, Lincoln Center, and Wall Street make the latter number truly spectacular). "The Rhythm Of Life" and "I Love To Cry At Weddings" are still a chore to sit through (despite Sammy Davis Jr.'s presence in the former), but with a click of your DVD remote you can easily skip those sequences.

Finally, one of the best reasons for buying the "Sweet Charity" DVD is that it contains the film's alternate ending which, as far as I'm concerned, is far superior to the one used in 1969. I know there are many who feel that concluding the movie with Charity being dumped yet again is truer to the spirit of the Fellini film on which its based ("Nights Of Cabiria"), but using flower children in the finale was a ghastly, self-conscious idea that looked out-of-date within hours of the film's release (at least the Broadway show displayed some wit when Charity encountered the Good Fairy, who turned out to be an advertising plug for a TV show). Fosse was right in wanting to avoid sentimentality and the happily-ever-after cliche, but I don't think he took into account the unexpectedly strong chemistry between Shirley MacLaine and John McMartin (their courtship scenes are genuinely charming), or how much the audiences wanted Charity to cop a break - even if it didn't last forever. The alternate ending, therefore, is a suprisingly shrewd one; not only does it add a nice touch of symmetry (with another plunge in the lake), but it manages to bring Charity and Oscar together without creating any illusions about their future. As the dialogue makes clear:

OSCAR: The odds against us are at least a hundred to one.

CHARITY: Those are the best odds I ever had.

And so they walk off together - maybe for a few months, maybe for a few years, maybe forever - who knows? But at least they have some hope, and I think they deserve it. I think the audience deserves it, too.

But alternate ending or not - that's your call - "Sweet Charity" is one of the better film musicals you'll find.

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For Serious Fosse Fans Only, Oct. 3 2003

However, here's the great thing about DVD: use the scene selector to skip right to the fabulous dance numbers! "Rich Man's Frug" and "Hey Big Spender" are two of Fosse's best on film, and big enough that you'll want to watch them several times to catch all the details and dancers. And as a special treat to Fosse fans, the extras on the DVD include some brief segments with THE MAN himself.

Fosse newbies, skip right over this and go straight to CABARET which is a brilliant musical AND a brilliant film.

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I'm amazed, Sep 25 2003

The only let up from her killing the part are Fosse's dance numbers. "Rich Man's Frug" lives up to its reputation, and "Rhythem of Life" are amazing. ( My friend and I were ready to burn the tape we were watching, and then "Rhythem" came on. We stayed for the rest of the movie.) Fosse as a director also seems to care only when his signature dances, or any dances, come on. That's when the camera usage that one gets to know so well in Cabaret and All That Jazz come in. During the naratives, he seems bored with the story and doesn't put nearly enough energy into it. One is left waiting for the stars, (preferably not Ms. MacLaine) to sing and dance for all they're worth for all the movie. It is also too long. I felt the ending was not harsh enough to Ms. MacLaine's Charity. An STD would have satisfied me.

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Sweet Charity Shines on DVD., Mai 29 2003

It has a fascinating visual style: For instance, the opening titles are a kaleidoscope of psychedelic freeze frames as Charity makes her way through the city towards a meeting with a potential 'beau'. There is an edginess and jumpiness to the editing that meshes well with Bob Fosse's dramatic and exaggerated choreography and direction, exemplified by the heightened fashion statements in some costume and set designs: 'The Rich Man's Frug' nightclub dance number is a stunning example.

New York, its energy, vitality, character and magnetism, plays another major role in the film. Charity embraces the city and its many attractions as her 'personal property' in the first song. Famous locations such as Yankee Stadium, Wall Street and The Lincoln Centre are used to great affect in 'I'm a Brass Band', featuring Charity and chorus in red marching uniforms. A bridge in Central Park is the setting for two critical events in Charity's life where her survival is tested and rebirth tempted.

But then there is the 'hope' and optimism that shines through the jigsaw puzzle of conflicting emotions and expressions that is Shirley MacLaine's face as Charity Hope Valentine: The look, the smile, the vulnerable glance and hesitant stare. And the tears, all those tears: But after they have gone, remarkably she keeps going. Whether it's a "chance" rendezvous with an Italian movie star, trying to get a normal job and escape the "seedy" life of a dance hall hostess or finding "love" with a respectable guy. And through it all this central performance of rich, raw emotion and mesmerising complexity touches the viewer and propels 'Sweet Charity' into the realms of great "musical" drama.

The supporting cast also play an important role. Sammy Davis Jnr. is dynamic as Big Daddy as is Broadway legend, Chita Rivera, as one of Charity's dance hall colleagues. John McMartin reprising his stage role as Oscar Linquist, paints his character with many unusual shades. The rest of the cast are outstanding especially in the many hypnotic dance sequences and production numbers like 'The Rhythm of Life'. The film is wrapped in a lively, energetic and tuneful score by Cy Colman and Dorothy Fields that contains many well known favourites.

On DVD the film looks great. The widescreen print is virtually flawless and the sound mix is set at a wonderful 4.0 channel surround. The Overture and Intermission music are also included. There are some valuable extras as well including a glimpse at how the film was made featuring interviews with the Director, Bob Fosse and Costume Designer, Edith Head. So 'Sweet Charity' is definitely a must buy, if only to see Shirley MacLaine's best screen performance.

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Shirley MacLaine in her greatest musical performance, Mai 9 2003

Par	Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - Voir tous mes commentaires

Charity (Shirley MacLaine) works at the Fan Dango Ballroom, a dingy dime-a-dance hall where the girls give a lot more away than dances. Charity runs her heart like a hotel, and gives her love to one undeserving man after another. Her two best friends Nickie and Helene (Chita Rivera and Paula Kelly) are the ones who help Charity when she is ultimately betrayed by each boyfriend who comes into her life. Ever-hopeful (sometimes impossibly-so), Charity goes through life with wide eyes and wide dreams...

When Charity meets the mild-mannered Oscar Linquist (John McMartin re-creating his Broadway performance), she believes that she will finally be able to leave her sordid past and profession behind her. But will Oscar be as understanding?

Shirley MacLaine colors Charity more vividly than Broadway's Gwen Verdon did (or was permitted to do). MacLaine is especially affecting and heartbreaking in the final 15 minutes of the movie, and sings a plaintive "Where Am I Going?".

Bob Fosse's first big Hollywood film, SWEET CHARITY was a big, if not huge, success when it was first released. The choppy editing and artistic touches that audiences failed to appreciate then make much more sense now, following the success of MOULIN ROUGE. The impressive supporting cast includes Ricardo Montalban, Sammy Davis Jr. and Stubby Kaye.

This beautiful new Special Edition DVD presents the complete 'Road-Show' version of the film including Overture and Intermission. There are also many extras including the trailer, the original 'Making-of' featurette, a featurette where designer Edith Head takes us through her colorful costumes, and the alternate ending that was never used. (Single-sided, dual-layer disc).

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Sweet Charity - Picture 4, Sound 4, Surround Sound .5, Avril 28 2003

The only dissapointment for me was the lack of surround sound. The cover stated it was a 4.0 mix but listening to the rear channels you would not know it. In the production numbers such as The Rhythm of Life there were a large cast and lots of movement on screen yet during these numbers the surround channels stayed woefully silent.

A marvellous release but with that one sour note.

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