This movie was such a part of my growing up – I’ve seen it more times than I care to remember – but I hadn’t seen it for ages and was delighted to see how well it held together. Maybe that’s nostalgia talking, maybe also I’ve seen Grease 2 too many times in the interim and the original benefits from comparison.
But with as much objectivity I can bring to it, it seems to stand up: John Travolta is an amazing triple threat (who today comes close?), combining toughness with masculinity, skill on the dance floor, a singing voice, etc – no wonder at the time they thought he was going to be the biggest star ever. Olivia Newtown John wasn’t the best actor in the world, but she brings an incredible amount to the role – her prettiness and good cheer (could anyone else have pulled this off?), even the crappy Aussie accent is charming; she dances surprisingly well and belts out her tunes (they really suit her range, especially ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’).
Jeff Conaway (whatever happened to him) is terrific as Kinicke, ditto Stockard Channing. And it’s great how in hindsight the film has something for everyone: good girls love the romance and Livvy, boys love car racing and the macho yet loving relationship between Conaway and Travolta, plus Livvy in a sexy outfit, bad girls love Stockard and Livvy turning sexy, there’s adult themes which kids won’t pick up (as I realised when watching the Kinicke condom scene with my parents and they started laughing); old school Hollywood fans will get a kick out of Joan Blondell and Eve Arden, for the boomers there’s Edd Byrnes and Frankie Avalon.
Standout set pieces, particularly the high school dance number and Thunder Road. There are still the songs you’d fast forward through – 'Beauty School Drop Out' and 'There Are Worse Things I could Do' (both good songs but just a bit stop-the-momentum). Well made expert entertainment that’s deserved its riches.
No comments:
Post a Comment