The first time I cared about Saturday Night Fever was after a Simpsons episode in which Bart struts to "Staying Alive." That led me to purchase the soundtrack, which led me to discover the magic that is The Bee Gees. But I never bothered with the movie, until now.
John Travolta plays Danny or something like that. A New York teenager with no significant life prospects, but he is a god on the dance floor on Saturday nights. And that's all the plot there is. Will Travolta overcome his troubles?
Random comments while watching:
- Right away, blatant racism, sexism, and homophobia. Ah the 70s.
- There are so many strange things going on early in the movie. Mind boggling. Trying to reserve judgement on the things I think don't make logical sense. But I'll give it some credit, it's the same nonsense that you usually see in New York movies.
- The 2001 club, is it a strip club too? What's with the topless/burlesque chick in the bar?
- It's the mom from Out of This World!! Why do I know that!! And the secretary from Dream On.
- A little shocked I've never watched this movie.
- Aw, Travolta gives the hispanic couple his award. Noble, sweet, not properly set up in the movie that he has that much character to him.
It's a strange movie and I'm not sure what to think. It is the kind of rambling, people oriented story that Altman perfected. It's not perfect here though. It lacks cohesion. There's not a clear message for me, nor a clear reason for some of Travolta's actions at the end.
I'm trying to figure out why this was nominated for a Best Picture award. Was this subversive or new in the time period? Was it more gritty and realistic than most movies back then? Or was it just because Night Fever is an incredible song?
The Bee Gees are still the best thing to come out of this.
First Viewing: 2+2+2+3+2 = 11