A Chorus Line

If you read most of the reviews here you can notice how negative they arfe, and even those that are nicer always have a slightly negative comment. I know that most of the time comparison is not good and when you are talking about one of the greatest shows ever created, the screen version gets the worst part. To be fair and if we forget about the original show the movies is very good. The music, the dancing and the cast are totally believable. I know they cut some songs, others were modified (not for worst - Dance for me it 's brilliant) and others send a completely different message to viewers (What I did for Love). We know that has happened before when a musical goes from stage to screen. but what we have to bear in mind is....is the final product a good movie? Yes, it is. The only downbeat I notice in the movie is that I notice a few edits strange...for example when you can hear some lines from HELLO TWELVE and suddenly one of the boys starts singing a different song. it looks very abrupt in that moment. To sum up A CHORUS LINE is a very good movie made in a decade when musical was not only dead but buried six feet under. So I was really impressed to see that in that decade this movie and Little shop of horrors were made and time just shows everybody that both movies deserved a better audience and better reviews.

This movie brought my hopes down honestly. I was very excited to see it at first, but it didn't turn out too well.

Okay, first of all, it's supposed to be a musical but they didn't even sing that much. Second, the transition of talking to singing SUCKED. It was the worst ever in the history of musicals. I'm not kidding.

But I have to admit, the dancing was very good. I mean, it has to be, since the movie is "A Chorus Line" and that's a big part of it.

The actors who portrayed their characters well were Audrey Landers (as Val Clark), Michael Douglas (as Zach), and Alyson Reed was pretty okay as Cassie.

It was just an "okay" movie, know what I mean? I liked the Broadway version better.

In 1981 I had the pleasure of seeing my first musical on Broadway during a week long business trip that December. That stage musical was "A Chorus Line". It was, and still is, the most memorable musical experience for me. The singing and dancing were of course top notch.

For a film version I would have much preferred a good film of the actual stage production, as has been done with the great "Cats." However, they made the movie, and it does not stink as some seem to want to make everyone believe. When Morales does "Nothing", or when the three girls do "At The Ballet", this film version has the same impact as the stage version does, even if the singing is often mediocre when compared to the Broadway cast. So, anyone who is a fan of musicals, and who thought the stage version was a "10", then the film is probably a "7", or maybe a "6" at the lowest. Those who rate this film version of "A Chorus Line" very low simply are showing themselves as very poor critics.

Edit: May 2019 - I watched it again on DVD, very nice to see it again. And now in 2021 it is available online via streaming services. I found it on Amazon streaming.

Edit: MAR 2024 - Again, this time streaming on Prime, I came away with an even better opinion of this version.

A Chorus Line is a great movie with a very well developed plot and a top notch cast. Being a part of this type of industry, I can say that they conveyed this world very accurately and brought it to life in a large, blunt manner that did not try to romanticize it in any way. The entire film takes place in the bare back of a theatre stage during an audition and cabin fever is showcased in a very effective light. Each song is also brought to life beautifully, with all of them bringing us a new perspective on different characters.

I will say that it was far too predictable, it never even bothered to make the effort to surprise its audience, each outcome for each individual character could be seen from a mile away. I was getting annoyed with myself for not being in any way surprised after a while.

The performances are all around terrific, Michael Douglas really shines in this unconventional role of a theatre director, he has a great presence and intrigue about him in it. Alyson Reed steals every scene she is in and has an undeniable chemistry with Douglas that is such a delight to watch.

Toe tapping entertainment. Not a typical joyous musical, A Chorus Line is a little bleaker than what we may be used to, but it's a great watch and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good musical.

A group of aspiring performers audition for the next big show.

Best Performance: Alyson Reed

Why all the bad reviews? Is it dated? Yes. But the music, the dancing, the really skimpy costumes all makes it magical.

I recently saw the documentary following the Broadway revival and felt the tug of nostalgia pulling to watch the original. I was watching mainly for the music and the dancing. They did not disappoint.

Of course THEATRE is best live and in person - that goes without saying. But I enjoyed my viewing of A Chorus Line.