There may be a clearer expression of pure joy and love (mixed with sadness and failure) in cinema, but this is IT, for me. A perfect expression of a perfect moment. Every shot, every gesture, every look, every line, every cut, the music itself …
Joy. Expressed. Purely.
Cinema is one of the low arts. Meaning it is geared to appeal to ALL, not just the FEW. It is popular in nature. I am not against that. As a matter of fact, I think that is one of its greatest assets. Shakespeare wrote for the groundlings as well as the aristocrats in the balcony. Bob Fosse came from a burlesque background. And it is THIS kind of thing, entertainment-driven and emotionally-based, complex, and yet ultimately so so simple, that makes show business go round, that makes it something that we not only enjoy, but need.
All I know is, I get some kind of catharsis (in the classical sense of the word) each and every time I watch that clip, and that has been true for me since I first saw it at age 15. That is profound. Divine even.
What a great clip, from an absolutely dazzling, brilliant movie. Probably Roy Scheider’s best film performance.
Absolutely. Dazzling.
It’s the most lighthearted part of the whole movie and my favorite. Ann Reinking’s legs. Oh. My. God! Thanks for posting this!
Great movie. I discovered it recently through Netflix. I agree with your larger point about cinema as a popular art and Shakespeare, but actually this struck me as a rather “arty” movie. On the other hand, according to imdb it grossed $37.8 mil in the U.S., which sounds pretty good for 1979.
It seems that at some times more than others works can be both “arty” and popular. Not too long ago I rented The Last Picture Show (1972) which I saw for the first time in many, many years. I recall it being quite successful at the time, but today it struck me as more like an “art film.”
I wish my house looked like a 1970s movie apartment, with all the plants and stuff
And a random neon-light man.