Svengali

The significant alterations to the original source i.e. George Du Maurier's classic Victorian chiller, TRILBY (a novel which I have had the pleasure of reading for myself a few years ago) may perhaps put off some purists from giving this solid film adaptation a fair chance: for starters, the story here is not set in the art milieu of end-of-the-century Paris but in the dog-eat-dog world of the New York pop scene; the main characters are not even called Svengali, Trilby and Billy but have become Anton Bosnyak, Zoe Alexander and Johnny Rainbow; perfectionist taskmaster and rebellious pupil not only match wits word-for-word but genuinely fall in love!; 'Svengali' proves to his by-now established protégé that she does not need his influence to succeed!!; the teacher does not die in the end but, in fact, is seen taking on a new pupil under his wings, etc. Consequently, since hypnotism and kidnapping do not form part of the plot here, it cannot even be considered a horror film and, technically, I should not have included it in this ongoing Halloween Challenge…but, of course, I did not know about that before watching the thing! Anyway, that the film succeeds regardless is a testament to the acting talents of Peter O'Toole (nobody does flamboyant eccentrics like this formidable British thespian – whom I have had the privilege of watching live on London's renowned "The Old Vic" theater in the Summer of 1999 – and, therefore, perfect casting as the Svengali figure), Jodie Foster (at 21, she is totally capable of holding her own ground in her scenes with O'Toole – and she possesses a fine, raspy singing voice to boot), Elizabeth Ashley (a welcome addition to the mix as a former unsuccessful student of O'Toole's that has instead found her calling as a talent scout) and the music of John Barry (Foster keeps singing the same three songs throughout the picture but, at least, they're quite decent). It should also be noted that the film reunites both O'Toole and Barry with their own taskmaster on THE LION IN WINTER (1968) i.e. Anthony Harvey and that future Oscar-winner Holly Hunter makes a brief appearance early on as a nymphomaniac backing vocalist!

Apparently this was a made for TV movie, anyway, the reason to watch this film is not the riveting storyline or spectacular visuals.

What is good about this movie is seeing O'Toole work his magic. He can take a rather silly re-working of the Pgymalian storyline and almost make it seem like art. He really is a wonder to behold.

Foster is not the actress yet she will become in Accused & Silence of the Lambs but you can certainly see the control starting to take shape. Foster shines when she's standing up to O'Toole's dogmatic ways but she falters in romantic moments with O'Toole, you just don't believe that she has romantic feelings for O'Toole.

Elizabeth Ashley is a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting to see some fire from her but I just kept getting the feeling that she was just so much in awe of working with O'Toole that she came off flat. It's a shame cuz it would have been fun to see Ashley & O'Toole spark...ah well.

Sure, the move is a bit melodramatic at times...OK..but if you're an O'Toole fan, you really should check this out. I don't know if he was nominated for an Emmy for this but he should have been.

Oh and there's a great cameo by Holly Hunter in an early performance before her breakout role in Raising Arizona.

Again, this is not the worst movie you'll ever see. It's just a dated early 80s movie that just happens to have a great part for O'Toole which he makes the most of and it's fun to see Jodi Foster as well in a part that we haven't seen her in over and over again..and don't forget, it's always fun to see an actor using their own voice to sing in a movie!

There are few things more entertaining then an unintentionally funny film. Very few. Fewer still are films that fall into this category. If a film is trying to be funny it is not unintentional now is it? This was supposed to be serious. This starred Peter O'toole and of course Ms. Foster. The two of them were still reeling from Calligula and Hinkley respectively and therefore were in no position to turn down work, at least that is what I keep telling myself. Svengali is the story of a singer, a female singer in a band called, get this "The restless nights." A talent scout is in the audience with the big time singing instructor (Otoole) when the nights come on, fronted by Jodie Foster, in all her glory. She sings. She really sings. No really...it's her...not someone else, she is belting out a number that must be heard to be believed, I will spare you the gory details of the lyrics, it suffices to say they were far from great. O'toole takes on the challenge of teaching the little songbird to sing. He works and works and finally says "tell the whole city" they run to the roof of the building and Foster sings on the roof. I am not making this up. She sings. EXACTLY THE SAME WAY SHE HAS BEEN SINGING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF THE FILM!!! Not one note has changed, but never mind that. Oh god..she hits number one...she starts an affair with Peter O'toole, her X boyfriend quips "I didn't know you were into wrinkles" AAAAAARRRRGHHHH!!!!! I am giving this film 10 stars, just like Showgirls. Foster is the greatest film actress ever. Ever Ever. This is one of the greatest bad films ever.....Ever....Ever....You just gotta see this...ya just gotta. PS look for Holly Hunter in this, if you can spot her E-mail me, you need to get a life.

George L. Du Maurier's novel "Trilby", first filmed as "Svengali" in 1931 with John Barrymore and Marian Marsh, gets an embarrassing '80s make-over here, with New York bar-band singer Jodie Foster discovered and sent to vocal tutor extraordinaire Peter O'Toole for refinement. They share a begrudging relationship at first, accented by ego-mad Svengali O'Toole's stormy temperament, until Foster's Zoe eventually lands a record deal--putting into question her need to rely on this man who has come to be her mentor and love-interest. Well-produced for television, the movie gets off to a good start but eventually flags, with Foster unconvincing as a vocalist and O'Toole looking ragged and disinterested. There's a funny bit performance by a young Holly Hunter (whose screws are so loose, she clashes with the relatively somber tone of this piece), and Elizabeth Ashley has some fine moments near the beginning before she is unceremoniously lost in the shuffle.

I watched this well over 30 years ago and have just rewatched.

Peter O'toole's performance was memorable and that is why i sought it out for a second viewing.

Well worth watching for his performance alone. Brilliant.