Review of All That Jazz (1979) by Alex M — 20 Nov 2010

By directing and choreographing his own death within this 1979 musical filled with superlative dancecraft, Bob Fosse took the Palme d'Or at Cannes, four Oscars and five Oscar nods.

Fosse survived a 1975 massive heart attack and hospitalization (while producing "Chicago" and cutting "Lenny"), brought on by his substance abuse and stress-driven approach to crafting Broadway production. The experience left Fosse (played here by Roy Schneider at the top of his game) with inspiration for this autobiopic and highly choreographed recreation of the personal and professional events leading to his brush with the Grim Reaper (Lange).

The film is labeled semi-autobiographical - since no real names are employed - but it's autobiographical to the core. Schneider couldn't have missed his marks - with Fosse sitting in the wings directing him how to play Fosse. Delivering as Schneider's mistress is Ann Reinking, Fosse's true mistress at the time. (Fosse made her audition, nonetheless.) And Fosse directs himself flirting and jousting with Death; it probably came easy given he'd also had an affair with Lange. Most of the other characters and content are also historically based.

Fosse's vehicle successfully directs his own death into a crescendo of admiration and sympathy, an opportunity not afforded most everyone else. Eight years after this film, however, Fosse simply sat down on a park bench and let a second heart attack take his life in far quieter fashion.

Aside from this intriguing doppelganger backstory, the film entertains through its saturation with highly stylized, provocative and talent-drenched dance numbers. It also leaves the viewer with an sympathy for the ruthless business of Broadway - and for those obsessively driven talents that create the stage.

REcOMMENDATION: If you've ever sat down in a theater wanting to be properly entertained by song and dance, then this film will likely do the job for you.