'Fame'

'Fame' (R) (80) ***

Writer: Christopher Gore
Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Irene Cara, Paul McCrane, Barry Miller, Jim Moody

Looking back at the 1980's version of "Fame" , you could tell it was made at the end of the 70's in it's feel and look. Now that a new version of "Fame" is approaching in theatres I wanted to take a look back at the 80's version. "Fame" was directed by the great Alan Parker and it is not one of his strongest films. Though I am glad he directed it because otherwise it could have been a cheesy mess. I remember the title song and how catchy and good it was and the big dance sequence on the streets which is very well directed and choreographed. That is a great scene but this movie is going to thrive on the characters and whether we want to follow them which will be true of the new version. I must say I did find these characters somewhat interesting even though there are many cliches and some unintentional laughs. With the great direction by Parker we get involved in the stories and the movie becomes quite entertaining. There is good music and a great feel for what it was like to attend classes and to work for a dream that will only come to a select few. There is some good young talent including Irene Cara who does an adequate job. Also Paul McCrane (ER) and Barry Miller ( Francis Coppola films) would go on to have good careers. Parker would go on to make an even stronger musical film with some similarities in "The Commitments" years later. What this film does which the new version has to do is make us believe in and follow these characters so we wind up caring or it won't work at all.