Yep, problematic. Quite bleak in many ways - the sexual harasment, low prospects for the kids. Everyone's so old especially Sonny. Wonderful numbers. Edd Byrnes is very funny. Ditto Frankie Avalon, Eve Arden, Sid Caesar, Alice Ghostley, Dody Goodman. So much going on - that's why the film can be watched countless times. Tom and Patty Symcox, Cha Cha (the one student with ambition.. okay maybe Marty too), the female mechanic teacher, Fran and Putzie (a sweet couple who might make it)...
Touches on many universal themes - wanting to fit in at a new school, not being picked at the dance, a car, asking someone out, finding a date, liking someone who doesn't like you, being with a perfect person who is actually dull.
Great songs. Wonderful dancing. Why didn't they copy this more closely?
Various thoughts:
- John Travolta, so slim, so handsome, so vulnerable - you fotgive him anything even the sexual assault, his eyes are so open, he's a leader, he can sing and dance etc etc... what a star. It's amazing he was considered such a joke in the 80s.
- Olivia Newton John, awkward acting but it doesn't matter, so pretty, so good with John, they have genuine chemisty, she really seems her part.
- Stockard Channing. Ah the gay men who love her song. Women too. She has a reality to her which the sequel doesn't have. she's a real person. Not a bad person just threatened. Not maligned. Redeemed. As the actresses said she loves sex and is threatened by Sandy.
- Jeff Conaway. Like Travolta he can sing and dance, etc. Doesn't have the vulnerability which is why he wasn't a big a star... but he has some. An alpha male. He and Travolta are alphas who would be good in a fight in the sequel all the T Birds were jokes.
- Marty. A very believable type. Ambitious. Likes high status guys - Vince Fontaine, marines. She doesn't care a twig for Sonny but he would buy her things. Not a bad person. I like how she helps Sandy. But less of a joke character.
- Fran. Very identifiable. A nice Pink Lady, like Frenchie, Eating problem. What a great character note. Makes her stand out. Everyone knows this character. She and Putzie could make it.
- Frenchie. Sweet, lovely. No eating disorder so differentiated from Fran.
- The supporting three T Birds Kind of mix in, Sonny being more wild... play it like three stooges. But very effective. So harmless.
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