Review Archives

1 | 2 | 3

Today's Date is:

Saturday Night Fever

"Saturday Night Fever" is that special brand of movie that features such a tidal wave of exhilaration in certain moments that you're almost willing to forgive a deluge of fatal flaws that befall the material. Almost. The film practically leaps off the screen with its depictions of the disco nightlife, featuring a stunning soundtrack and a likeable lead performance from John Travolta, in the premiere role of his career. ***

Right from the beginning, director John Badham and his choreographer, Lester Wilson, set the 70's tone for the film with a montage of footage featuring their young protagonist, Tony Manero, strutting his stuff in platform shoes, all cut to the always-hip sounds of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive." If the song was infectious when the film was first released, it's only become moreso as the decades have progressed. ***

The film features a vast array of sequences that take place in a New York City discotheque, complete with illuminated floor tiles and rotating mirrorball. The music gets even better, the photography gracefully captures the fun and excitement of dancing all night long without resorting to the frenetic, fast-paced hysteria that clogs many of today's modern clubs. There is one sequence early on in which the hall comes alive with the sound of "Night Fever," one of the film's landmark tracks, and the filmmakers capitalize on the opportunity to craft the scene in such a way that you can't help but groove in your seat, or maybe even get up and do a little dancing of your own. ***

If only the generational traits of the film were backed by a story that was worthy of its visual and auditory appeal. The film takes place in New York, so amidst the trials and tribulations of working-class life, Tony must confront issues concerning family and social acceptance everyday. He puts on a front wherever he goes, whether showing off his astute dancing skills on the floor, or spending hours in front of a mirror primping his hair to get the look just right. His parents wish he would do something more with his life, and through some vignettes in which we see their relationship with one another, we get the notion that Tony himself would like to change. He just wants something more out of life, but what? Even he doesn't know. ***

But does he change? And if he does, for what reason, other than to escape turgid storytelling and lousy characterization? The film surrounds our disenchanted youth with a deluge of best-friend characters and female admirers, one of whom begins using her "assets" to make him jealous when he begins making eyes at Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney), whom the movie does not explore as intricately as it should. She's rushed in as uplifting emotional filler when the film isn't busy showing us the gratuitous nightlife, the drugs, the sex, the war of the races that is so "West Side Story" street gangs... do you understand what I'm trying to say? The movie spends so much time on the physical aspects of the era, that it forgets what it's really trying to tell its audience. ***

The movie has its attributes as a result of Travolta's performance and the incredible period experience, but ultimately it doesn't deliver as one feels it should. It uses foul words as if it were being paid by the letter. It takes no shame in squandering potentially lethal material on lethargic and conventional plotlines. The film may have sparked a cultural revolution, but its story leaves one largely unshaken and wanting.

This newly-remastered DVD commemorating the 25th anniversary of "Saturday Night Fever" gives us the film in its best home-viewing format to date. The anamorphic widescreen ratio of 1.85:1 features a splendid transfer replete with terrific color enhancement and clarity, while also ridding the print much of the grain and distraction that has permeated many of the VHS releases in the past. There is still some flaws apparent, such as edge enhancement and pixelization, but they don't detract from the overall pleasures the image has to offer. ***

The sound design is absolutely wondrous, perhaps the best remastering effort of this year's releases. This is a far cry from the atrocious remastering of the "Grease" soundtrack, and much more engrossing. The most remarkable aspect of the Dolby Digital 5.1 track is the ambiance of the music, which wraps into the surrounds so exquisitely that the beat becomes infectious. Deep bass for the songs is somewhat reserved, but it does make a statement just the same. Dialogue sounds much cleaner and more audible than VHS, and is well-centered throughout. The efforts of the producers have paid off, and this DVD will surely impress those who have been disappointed by past releases of the film.

Following the film is the VH1 "Behind the Music" special on "Saturday Night Fever," which features cast and crew interviews to boot and a history of the movie as you've never seen it before. Travolta talks a great deal about his personal experiences on and off the set, while his costars discuss working with him and their reactions to his popularity and ability. Director Badham makes more insertions about the underlying meaning of the story, and various others, including Disney's Michael Eisner and critic Roger Ebert, also comment on the movie, its success, and its impact. ***

Then there is a small collection of three deleted scenes, which have been spruced up a bit and will provide some measure of entertainment depending on how you take the movie. For me, the film itself is a letdown of sorts, unable to live up to the standards it sets for itself; the DVD, however, is terrific, and will undoubtedly satisfy fans and movie lovers who have awaited this one for quite some time.