Day Seventy-Six: Cabaret

CABARET

Starring:
-Liza Minnelli
-Michael York
-Joel Grey

Directed by: Bob Fosse

Screenplay Credits: Jay Allen

MPAA Rating: PG


Liza Minnelli stars as American cabaret dancer Sally Bowles who is working in Berlin at the KitKat Klub. When handsome young brit Brian Roberts (York) moves into the flat across the hall, Sally makes it her mission to befriend and seduce him. She convinces him to move into her large apartment and share the cost of rent. The two eventually become lovers, although it is made clear the Brian is bisexual. Eventually we discover that both Brian and Sally are “screwing” the same man, and we reach the disturbing conclusion that Sally is pregnant and cannot possibly determine which man is the father.

Brian tells Sally that paternity doesn’t matter, and the two discuss marriage and raising the child together in a little apartment somewhere in the country. If at this point in the film you are starting to think that all will end well for the pair, then you need to press STOP on your DVD player and go watch THE SOUND OF MUSIC immediately.

On “one of [her] whims,” Sally gets an abortion. In the end, Michael boards a train and Sally returns to the cabaret.

This is a dark, energetic musical that reflects the decadent life of a showgirl in 1940s Berlin, and the Nazis rise to violence and power. While the players are dancing and singing with wild abandon inside the theatre, Jews are being beaten and tormented on the outside streets.

One scene that is especially powerful takes place in a beer garden in the German countryside. A young Aryan boy in full Hitler Youth regalia stands and enthusiastically belts the beautiful, slightly chilling Nazi anthem, “Tomorrow Belongs to Me.” The other German citizens in the garden swell with patriotism and stand to join in the song, but they sing with great force and anger, so that the song becomes less of a lullaby and more of an angry shoutfest.

Legendary choreography Bob Fosse chose to direct in Germany, slightly altering the plot, main characters, and story arc of the hit Broadway play. Despite this, most of the show’s beloved songs are included and masterfully staged. Some of my favorites are “Mein Herr,” “Two Ladies,” and “Maybe This Time.”

Minnelli’s delivery of the song “Maybe This Time” is so touching; you see she really wants to believe that this time will be different, and you want to believe it right along with her.

Of course, no review of the film CABARET could possibly be made without mentioning the bizarre machinations of Joel Grey’s Master of Ceremonies.
He’s always scurrying around onstage and off in his bizarre makeup and strange little outfits. One reason I think the character is so interesting is because he was originated and perfected on Broadway by the soft-spoken Grey. Originally, Fosse was reluctant to cast Grey in his created role, but the producers informed him that if he wouldn’t work with Grey, he wouldn’t work at all.

In conclusion, I always enjoy watching this film. It has its light, comedic moments, but it definitely isn’t a picker-upper like HAIRSPRAY or SINGING IN THE RAIN. I would definitely put in on the darker level with hits like THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA or SWEENY TODD.


FINAL GRADE: A-

Off in search of an oncoming train,

M.