All That Jazz (DVD 2003)

Bob Fosse’s autobiographical movie is part musical fantasy, part Fellini-esque surreal drama. His vision of his latter life is shot is so many ways that it makes you think that Fosse had no control over his own life, let alone his movie.

Fosse was and still is regarded the King of Broadway, with a string of hit musicals and his unique choreography style still amazes. Also an accomplished film director, Cabaret was his most successful movie. The one thing that shows in this stunningly visual movie that mixes his love and hate for show business with a visual flair is as eye-catching as his dance skill. Sections of the film do follow Fosse’s own life.

The heart of the film lies in the hands of the excellent Roy Scheider . Scheider had been running on a string of big successful movies during the 70s, kicking off as Gene Hackman’s partner in The French Connection, and building to his starring role as Chief Brody in the box office smash Jaws. Marathon Man, Jaws 2 and Last Embrace (a highly underrated thriller) all followed before leading to this pivotal and important role that should have won Scheider an Oscar (it was stolen from him by a more flashy performance from Dustin Hoffman in Kramer Vs Kramer). Scheider not only looks like Fosse, but moves and sings like him too. This should have been the performance that pushed Scheider to the realms of superstardom, but like all good plans, this wasn’t to happen. Still he should be extremely pleased with this career high.

Receiving mixed reviews from the critics, it still walked away with four Oscars, and the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival (it tied with Kagemusha), it is a stunning visual experience, with some wonderful set pieces and enough variety to keep boredom at bay. Jessica Lange doesn’t have to do much as the Angel who shares Gideon’s thought, apart from looking beautiful, which she does without effort. But this is Fosse’s and Scheider’s show, and the pair should be proud of their finished product. It’s an amazing experience.

It ended up to be Bob Fosse’s final movie, as he died in 1987, of a heart attack. A fitting tribute to an outstanding visionary.

good quality and interviews interviews of the actors and director.As it was advertise good price for money. Finally on time and cheap

After studying musicals for my A levels, i needed to watch them again before my exam. All that jazz was definitely one of my favourite, and is as good to wacth as it is to study.

The film has a complex narrative with many underlying themes that are not common within the conventional musical genre. These dark and sinister themes show the rapid progression through the musical film genre. The current musicals use dark themes and their usual conventions of song and dance to hide the underlyihn nature of the film.

All that jazz is a musical masterpeice in terms of presentation, quality and expectation that usual musicals carry. The complex narrative and recurring themes of drugs, sex and death make this musical stand out clearly from the others. Although not a hit at the box office when released all that jazz stands alone in making musical history.

This dvd was bought for my step daughter because she loves musicals.On receiving it she seemed very pleased.