The original movie and TV series had a huge influence in my life; putting an idea into my head that I could dance. It inspired me to live life the way I chose and not what society thought was most safe. The 1980 movie made performing look like it was a lot of hard work and the TV series worked many social + growing up messages into its script-writing.
I left the theatre thinking the 2009 version wasn’t really that bad but after pondering over things a little, I guess I was very forgiving of it given how important the 1980 version was to me.
Robin said it aptly when he screamed, “Don’t mess with a classic” at the end of the movie. He almost walked out. Another friend said, “I was sorely disappointed as well. No depth, no substance. Nothing.”
This new version is, sadly, a work that really doesn’t belong in the same space as the earlier works.
Here are a couple of things that really got to us:
1) Rip-Off Scenes
The scene with Denise Dupri’s parents was ripped off from Camp (2003) and the graduation number at the end looked like it was copied from Center Stage (2000) and Step-Up (2008). It would have been nice if there was a deeper look at issues, maybe even the subject of “fame” in the 21st century, rather than transplanting scenes from other similar movies together a piece.
2) Talent & Technique
The dancing, separately appreciated, may be somewhat of a saving grace if you weren’t a trained performer. If you are, then you hear us saying, “I’ve seen better and more amazing performances from amateurs and budding artistes”.The technique of the dancers in this top arts school and the movie is really something to be desired. The tap scenes were the only top-notched ones but they were solo pieces versus well-thought and well-choreographed numbers. And if the character Alice Ellerton is supposed to be the school’s most promising then I’m wonder about the level of talent in today’s world. Seriously, the talent on Britain’s Got Talent, America’s Best Dance Crew and other reality dance shows out-class those in Fame 2009 any time.
Then there’s the overly produced singing and the 2-dimensional acting pieces of the theatre majors. Having talent only gets you there part of the way. Working your ass off to perfect your craft and technique is another part. These important messages just didn’t come across so one wonders what message this version is trying to send out.
3) Negative depiction of gay individuals
The gay characters in the movie were depicted as:
- campy misfits singing female songs in an overly affected manner in auditions
- not being talented enough to amount to much
I’m wondering which cave the script-writer lived in and if she had worked with the thousands of talented, passionate, deep, non-stereo-typical gay, lesbian and transgender individuals in the theatre industry. I personally think it’s hugely disrespectful and a very shallow exploration of a community of people who have done so much for theatre alongside their straight and bisexual counterparts.
4) Who Quits A Prestigious School For A Part In Sesame Street Or Complexions
Sesame Street!? It’s not like a major role on a main broadway production directed by an amazing director. And most performing arts companies looking to take in graduates from performing arts and dance institutions are willing to wait for students to graduate before starting them off on tour. Dropping out of school is a strange message to be sending out.
I can go on ranting as there was so much that is bad about the 2009 movie but I’m gonna stop here. The movie is done and hopefully it will inspire people to watch the original 1980 version and TV series to get a sense of what a landmark in history Fame and other similar movies were and their role in giving people like me the courage to dream and then be a performer.
Here’s the powerful lunch jam in the 1980 movie which the 2009 version cannot even come close to match:
Seldom am I this scathing in my opinions but I really needed to get this off my chest.
