Watch Fame
- R
- 1980
- 2 hr 14 min
-
6.6 (24,973)
Fame is a 1980 American musical film directed by Alan Parker. The movie tells the story of a group of talented students studying at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts, a school that seeks to develop the students' artistic and creative abilities. The film is a chronicle of four years in the lives of these students, who are seen struggling to achieve their dreams of fame and success.
The movie begins with a scene in which an audition takes place at the school. We see many students with different talents trying to impress the judges with their performances. After the auditions, we are introduced to a group of students who make the final cut and are accepted into the school. We meet Coco Hernandez (Irene Cara), a singer who dreams of being a star, Leroy Johnson (Gene Anthony Ray), a streetwise dancer with a chip on his shoulder, and Bruno Martelli (Lee Curreri), a classical musician who struggles to find his place in the world.
As the school year progresses, we follow the students as they take classes in music, dance, and drama, and work hard to improve their skills. They also face personal challenges, such as relationships, financial struggles, and self-doubt. The film portrays their struggles with honesty and sensitivity, and the characters are well-crafted and believable.
Throughout the movie, the students are challenged to push themselves to the limits of their talent and creativity. The film provides a realistic portrayal of the school environment and the high-pressure world of the performing arts. The students are pushed to their physical and emotional limits, and have to learn how to deal with rejection, criticism, and self-doubt.
The music is an integral part of the film, and the dance sequences are expertly choreographed. The soundtrack includes several memorable songs, including the title track "Fame", which became a pop hit in the 80s. The songs are well-written and performed with passion by the cast.
One of the standout performances in the film is Irene Cara's portrayal of Coco Hernandez. Cara's powerful voice and dynamic stage presence make her a very convincing performer. Her character is ambitious and determined, but also vulnerable and insecure. She struggles with relationships and family issues, and we root for her as she tries to overcome the obstacles in her path.
Another memorable character is Leroy Johnson, played by Gene Anthony Ray. Leroy is a streetwise dancer with a chip on his shoulder. He has a natural talent for dancing, but struggles to fit in with the other students. Leroy's character is complex and multifaceted, and Ray's performance is nuanced and authentic.
Lee Curreri's portrayal of Bruno Martelli is also noteworthy. Bruno is a classical pianist who struggles to find his place in the world of music. He has a love-hate relationship with his father, who wants him to pursue a more traditional career. Bruno's character is sympathetic and relatable, and Curreri's performance is understated and nuanced.
Overall, Fame is a well-crafted and entertaining movie that provides a realistic portrayal of the world of performing arts. The film boasts an excellent cast, memorable music, and expertly choreographed dance sequences. It is a compelling story of ambition, talent, and perseverance, and is sure to appeal to anyone who has ever had a dream.
Fame is a 1980 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 58.