o_levina

It's a strongest film I know. Every time I watch it, it bewilders me so I can't turn my eyes away from the screen, even though I remember all what happens by heart. It fills me with a strange mixed feeling of interest-sympathy-admiration-disgust-and-horror. One of the reviewers here called this film depressing, and I inclined to agree. Any picture of Berlin in 1931 must be depressing and frightening. But, on the other hand, there is an atmosphere of desperate reckless joy in the movie. When the entire world goes mad and speeds to a catastrophe, life is a cabaret! Do what you can, come hear the music play, don't permit some prophet of doom wipe every smile away, and end as the happiest corpse! It's one idea. There is also another, more humanistic: live and let live. Brian fails to understand Sally, so they fall apart. Fritz for the sake of his love faces the danger of admitting that he is Jew in Germany. There is no hope for him and Natalia in this country in this time. But he couldn't do otherwise. There are plenty of other ideas too: about money, politics, corruption, perverseness, decadence, stupidity of middle classes, talent, success, etc. The story is very simple and incredibly complicated in the same time. No use retelling it. It must be seen. It's life as it was in 1931 and in many ways as it is nowadays. I suppose that Cabaret would be a great film even without any musical numbers, but with them it is a masterpiece. They say that history repeats itself, for the first time as a tragedy, for the second time as a farce. Well, I would say that in Cabaret every event repeats itself for the first time as a human drama in life and for the second time as a farce on the stage, but it would not be exactly true. Life and farce are shown synchronically or farce even go in advance. But every staged number in divinely decadency Kit Kat Klub ruthlessly shows the naked truth of life. (Only Mein Herr and Maybe This Time have more to do with the character of Sally Bowles.) And of course, Tomorrow Belongs To Me must be mentioned separately. The way of German people towards fascism is presented in one startling scene. And in finale too. That distorted reflection of the audience full of Nazi, accompanied by a tense silence after Master's of Ceremonies ‘Aufwiedershen' is horrible. The movie due half of its unforgettable effect to the masterful camera shots. Actors' works are absolutely fantastical. Surely, Master Of Ceremonies is Joel Grey star role. He is amazing as that demonic shameless figure that seems to know everything, understand everything and deride everything. Liza Minnelli shines in every scene, acting, speaking, singing and dancing. I know few performances equally true, strong, brilliant and stylish as hers as Sally Bowles. Michael York is excellent as well, though he is often underestimated. It's only his character who is reserved, intelligent and avoids show-off. And he is perfectly British. I really admire York's acting in the movie. There are also beautiful Marisa Berenson as noble Natalia, Fritz Wepper very believable as tormented Fritz, repulsively attractive Helmut Griem as the rich scoundrel Maximilian and picturesque supporting cast. John's Kander's music is wonderful and haunting.

Shortly, Cabaret is a work of a genius, or it would be better to say of geniuses: Bob Fosse and the crew and the cast. And it's flawless.

I love the film. It is so pleasant! I've never saw anything particular interesting in the play, and the film has surprised me. A modernizing of some story is not always a good idea, but it works excellently in this case. Setting the story against the war makes it more touching and convincing to us. And at the same time the movie is a light dynamic musical. Tunes, that were used, are unfamiliar to me, and I don't have the feel of nostalgia, described by some other reviewers here. Nevertheless, the music is good, I like singing and dancing in the film. Branagh does his best as Berowne, and so do others. I like the way they speak their text, so easy and natural. The movie is really enjoyable, it's entertaining and moving and funny. Kenneth Branagh has a rare talent for adapting Shakespeare, and I think his comedies are the best (Much Ado About Nothing is brilliant as well). I admire him both as the actor and the director. Wonder, what interesting thing he will produce next? Meanwhile, Love Labour's Lost is well worth seeing, and more then once.

The film dazzled me! Stage-sets and costumes and lighting are so beautiful, colourful and inventive, they are a treat to look at. The music is lovely and the text is witty. There whole performance is full of fun. Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door are the most powerful tunes in the musical, but other moments and songs are also excellent. The more I watch the film the more I enjoy everything in it – Jacob and Sons, Joseph's Coat, One More Angel In Heaven, Go, Go, Go Joseph, etc. The scene with the Pharaoh is astonishing, hilarious! However, I especially like Those Canaan Days, and Jeff Blumenkrantz (Simeon) does it stylishly. Dances are wonderful, remind of a carnival. The show is cheerful, joyous, inspiring. It really lifts me up. The cast is perfect – from Donny Osmond and Maria Friedman to the children. Donny is not only a good singer and a VERY handsome man, he's got an impressive dramatic talent. He's adequate in every scene – as young conceited dreamer, as stoic prisoner, as Brilliant Pharaoh's number two, but he is best of all in the end. He succeeded in keeping the situation tense while accusing Benjamin of robbery, and then the reunion of family is very touching. Maria Friedman is also outstanding – expressive, interesting, entertaining and strong-voiced. She attracts your attention through the entire show. Other actors, including Richard Attenborough (a fine example of a family man Jacob), Joan Collins (beautiful and wicked Mrs. Potiphar), Ian McNeice (cool and so fine Potiphar), Robert Torti (wonderful Pharaoh), all the brothers, Alex Jennings (the Butler) are excellent. I think, they enjoyed acting in the musical, so we enjoy watching them. Highly recommended.