Review of All That Jazz (1979) by Joelgreenberg — 06 Jul 2021

I saw All that Jazz on its first run, in 1979, and at the time I was moved by some of it, although I grew increasinglky annoyed as the film moved to its narcissistic conclusion. Watching it again today, I am struck by the vile nature of the Fosse surrogate, played by Roy Scheider. The scene that most evokes this response is one following a night of sex with a dancer named Victoria.

The rehearsal hall is awash in dancers and Victoria is being put through her paces by her choreographre-lover - he humiliates her, berates her, drives her to tears and then he takes her aside to say he can't make her a great dancer, but he hopes and wants to make her a good enough dancer. He has that power, of course, to make or break - and Victoria, speaking through her sobs, smiles at hime as he pats her head and the assembled company of artists, who have been witness to this assault, applaud the victory. In 1979 this was icky, and in 2021 it is downright sick-making.