Fame (2009)

User Rating:

4.2/10   

Director:

Kevin Tancharoen

Writers (WGA):

Allison Burnett (screenplay)
Christopher Gore (1980 motion picture "Fame")

Release Date:

25 September 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Dream It - Earn It - Live It

Plot:

An updated version of the 1980 musical, which centered on the students of the New York Academy of Performing Arts. |

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title | Remake

US Showtimes:

Beverly Center Cinemas

12:45pm | 6:50

(personalize)

Cast

Kay Panabaker	...	Jenny Garrison
Naturi Naughton	...	Denise Dupree
Kherington Payne	...	Alice Ellerton
Megan Mullally	...	Ms. Fran Rowan
Bebe Neuwirth	...	Ms. Kraft
Debbie Allen	...	Ms. Angela Simms
Asher Book	...	Marco
Cody Longo	...	Andy Matthews
Walter Perez	...	Victor Taveras
Charles S. Dutton	...	Mr. James Dowd
Kelsey Grammer	...	Mr. Martin Cranston
Collins Pennie	...	Malik Washburn
Anna Maria Perez de Tagle	...	Joy
Paul McGill	...	Kevin Barrett
Paul Iacono	...	Neil Baczynsky

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic material including teen drinking, a sexual situation and language.

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #45461) | South Korea:12 | Singapore:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Ireland:PG | Australia:PG | Norway:A | New Zealand:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Sweden:Btl | Hong Kong:IIA | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

United Artists

Trivia:

A photo is shown of Ms. Kraft (Bebe Neuwirth) with Broadway stage legend, Chita Rivera. Rivera notably played the role of Velma Kelly in the original 1975 Broadway production of "Chicago". Neuwirth also played Velma Kelly when "Chicago" was revived on Broadway in 1996. Both actresses received Tony Award nominations for their portrayals of the same character. Neuwirth went on to win the honor.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Mr. Cranston asks Denise to be the accompanist for the school's upcoming production of "Chicago". In the year 2009, this would not be possible since the licensing company which handles the theatrical rights for "Chicago" restricts the show from being produced (even by amateur groups and schools) anywhere in the greater New York area while there is an open-ended production running on Broadway.

Quotes:

Jenny Garrison: First you spurn me for Eddie,Then you throw him off like an old overcoat for Rocky!
Jenny Garrison: You chew people up, and then you spit them out again!
Jenny Garrison: I loved you, you hear me I loved you, and what did it get me?
Jenny Garrison: I'll tell you a big nothing, you're like a sponge you take, take, take, and drain others of thier love, and devotion!
Jenny Garrison: Well I've had enough, you've got to choose between me, and Rocky, so named because of the rocks in his head!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Jay Leno Show: (#1.16)" (2009)

A Remake of a Classic 80's film,that falls flat quick.

There is a general consensus that remakes are in trouble. The remake of "Fame" even though it masquerades as a reinvention,is no exception. The last time "Fame" was in theatres was in back in 1980. With the direction of Alan Parker,and at the time an unknown cast,this was indeed a preppy tale trailing a bunch if gifted kids at the prestigious New York performing arts high school had some electrifying energy as well as some incredible musical numbers and some pizzaz. The movie also introduce some newcomers at the time including the theatrical debut of a teenage looking Irene Cara. That was back in 1980. What was once fresh and innovative and newly created then is now tired and dull,not to mention a lack of interest. And it shows in this new version,which was hyped up during its theatrical trailer is hopeless and completely pathetic. Basically the film follows the same exact formula.

You have thousands of teenagers that are united by the same dream: attending the New York High School of the Performing Arts. Over Ten-Thousand auditions,200 places-which was a very selected school where only one in a chance are accepted where survival is the fittest to succeed. In this version,every student thinks that he or she has a special talent and from there the culture reeks with everyone's sweaty desire to accomplished the impossible goal......the desire for fame. The style of this film opens like an American Idol-esquire opening with the scene proves otherwise. Other flaws are abound in this movie and it shows in this remake in which my opinion should haven't been tampered with or remade in the first place. First,there are flaws that are cringe-worthy attempts to take some of the material out of its original context. Unsure whether it wants to be a "mock" documentary,or just drop trou and be a musical,this film falters on both counts. The only time the screen jolts awake are moments when the director Kevin Tancharoen finally and actually lets someone perform. The film does have some real talent. Naturi Naughton excels as an aspiring singer and Kherington Payne shows some innovative and unbelievable moves to music of some of today's hottest pop and R&B talents.

But the rest of it really falls flat. And some of the cast members that includes Broadway and Tony-award winner Bebe Neuwirth, along with Megan Mullally, Kelsey Grammar, Charles S. Dutton, and Debbie Allen cannot save this picture. Not even the cameo appearance by Irene Cara(who was in the original film along with Debbie Allen)wasn't even the risk. All the singing and dancing can't skew the fact that none of the unknowns cannot act a lick, a fact that which ruins the point of doing a classic 1980's flick like this in the first place. The fact that this film needed actors and a narrative that could have save this picture because the dancers and singers are just brilliant,and it could have save this picture from falling forward. By the way,where are the gay people here? The ones that aren't ready to commit suicide? Who remembers Leroy?