Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Strong and Moving!

Fresh and Exciting

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

There is magic of the disco in the 70s, as a transition kid ( too young for the disco ) who's too excited to see my elder siblings dress up and go to the disco in their teased hair and Vanderbilt jeans, this film is heaven-sent to kids like me who love to dance. It was rated R in those days so I relied on the retelling of my sister ( who edited the explicit part ) to me until I was old enough to see it for myself. By that time the hype is over but the memory of me cutting this out of the newspaper as a 'gotta watch movie 'I know I made the right choice. I can not imagine any actor doing the dancing as John Travolta did. He is the swag jumping out of the dictionary, strutting, enchanting the viewer. It also has a realistic depiction of how the poverty, religious beliefs and hardship of the working class family was in those days. Also the recklessness of youth, the lack of communication between friends, blind ambition are universal topics of then and now. It has a shoulder-shrug ending which up to now many people didn't get so my one point deduction is for that.

RELEASED IN 1977 and directed by John Badham, "Saturday Night Fever" is a drama/musical detailing events in Brooklyn where a group of Italian-American youths led by Tony Manero (John Travolta) work dead-end jobs, rumble with Hispanics and meet babes at the local discothèque where Tony is a champion dancer. Donna Pescow plays his needy wannabe girlfriend while Karen Lynn Gorney plays his dance partner for a big contest. This was a huge hit in its day and the catalyst for disco fever throughout the world. To this day you'll see people mimic Travolta's iconic dance stance with one arm pointing upward and the corresponding leg out. John was in the prime of his life at 22 during shooting (a great inspiration for guys to get in shape) and already popular due to TV's Welcome Back Kotter. "Saturday Night Fever" shot him to stardom, making him a household name. The movie's hit status was deserved because of its emphasis on the ordinary, but interesting protagonists and their entertaining drama, not to mention the dynamic dance sequences and popular soundtrack featuring the Bee Gees. There are several quality scenes, including one with the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop. Watch for 19 year-old Fran Drescher making her acting debut in a glorified cameo. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 58 minutes and was shot in Brooklyn, New York City. WRITERS: Nik Cohn (story) and Norman Wexler (screenplay). GRADE: A-/B+

The movie Saturday Night Fever is one that I think every movie lover has to watch. If you are not much of a movie person it is probably not for you. I personally really liked the film. However, I did find some of the commentary slightly offensive. Specifically comments made about African Americans and gay people. There is also a rape scene towards the end. The lack of P.C.ness in this movie strongly reflects the time from which the movie came (1977). Regardless of some of the offensive terminology it is an enjoyable movie! Highly recommend.

Tony Manero (John Travolta) is a strutting 19 year old Italian-American in Brooklyn. He works in a paint store, fights with his loud combative family, and lives for disco. He's the local disco king with a group of friends. Local girl Annette is desperate to be his girl. The Verrazano–Narrows Bridge divides this world from the magical world of Manhattan. He is taken with new girl Stephanie Mangano. Annette convinces him to be her dance partner in the big contest. Tony pushes to get Stephanie who has her eye on Manhattan. The family is shocked when his sainted brother decides to leave the priesthood.From the first scene, Travolta brings a power into this disco fable. It's the music. It's the fashion. It's the family and friends. Best of all, it's a hungry Travolta on the prowl. Tony is clueless but he's hungry. He doesn't know what he's hungry for but he's restless for it. Travolta is uninhibited. He's a disco god. Special mention goes to Donna Pescow and her great portrayal of Annette.