A Chorus Line (1985)

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

(*Most demented movie-quote imaginable*) - "All I know how to do is point my toes and leap!".... (Spare me!) Believe me - This 1985 "audition" movie was truly idiotic. Its whole premise concerned a bunch of absolutely desperate hopefuls who were all auditioning for (*and I quote from movie*) "a crummy chorus line job".Until seeing "A Chorus Line" - I had never realized just how irrationally emotional dancers really were. I mean, getting this "crummy chorus line job", literally, brought a good number of them to tears.And, on top of that - They were all so anxious about getting this "crummy chorus line job" that they willingly subjected themselves to a totally demented "soul bearing" interrogation from a smug, tyrannical choreographer named Zach in order to land this nothing-of-a-position..... (Sheesh!) The last straw that broke this musical's back, for me, was the introduction of the revolting "Cassie" character into the story. Her utter desperation to land this "crummy chorus line job" was absolutely sickening beyond belief.

this movie is a movie that absolutely everybody has heard of, and it is widely known that this movie is widely viewed in a favorable light.... is this some elaborate cosmic practical joke? this is one of the worst movies ever made. it is terrible. make you angry at your children and dog, terrible. Awful, terrible, horrible.I cannot express clearly enough the awfulness of this movie. ---- without spoiling the "plot" this movie is about actors acting that they are whining about how bone-wrackingly awful acting is to poor under-appreciated downtrodden actors ---- and they do a terrible job, over-acting their miserable poorly written parts. oh, and there is a song.

If you were going to make a film of the wonderful, wonderful stage version, which I have also seen, the only way I could have 'devised it' is to simply put a camera in the back of the theater, do close-ups during some of the montages (Hello 12, hello 13, etc. and during "everything was beautiful at the Ballet", and so many other wonderful montages that MADE the musical so fabulous, and just film the damn thing. And I agree, Michael Douglas is a great actor, but totally wrong and wasted in this role. No way could I buy him as Zach.And Richard Attenborough - yeah, a good director, but what the hell does he know about musicals?? Try to catch one of the touring companies that are doing it. Yes, for someone who has been on stage, sung on stage, but never danced at this level, the whole thing still brings goose bumps to my arms. And, unlike Diana, I feel a lot of something, rather than nothing.

When this movie was released it was a flop. What a pity!, many said. Now 25 years later and watching the movie I have to admit that the movie is quite good. Not perfect but no the mess many fans claim to be. The first part of the movie is just PERFECT, AMAZING....with unforgettable auditions, dancing, ... The big problem starts when they talk about their lives. From that point the movie has got its ups and downs. But it never falls in a total mess. You can feel the sweat, the hard work, their dreams and hopes.......you can feel LIFE! If we compare it with other musicals of the time, maybe A CHORUS LINE and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS are the best examples of good musicals in a dark age for this gender. Both of them are far superior to other titles and both of them have got their ups and downs. SO to be fair A CHORUS LINE is a very good movie. OK, some changes from the stage production, but it always happens when they translate musicals from stage to screen. Evan some fans have said that the choreography is just awful. Come on guys, the movie isn't cheap and the spend money in the most important thing: dancers and dancing. So if you have never seen the stage version just give A CHORUS LINE a chance. You won't be disappointed. And please Michael Douglas, don't be ashamed about it and stop making jokes about your part in this movie as the worst choice of your life. A flop doesn't mean something it's bad.