Review of Cabaret (1993) by Grant S — 10 Jul 2015

It is very important to note that Bob Fosse's 1973 masterpiece is in no way a traditional musical. Push the Broadway play to the side. This is Film Art at it's finest.

Inspired by Christopher Isherwood's 1945 semi-autobiographical book, "The Berlin Stories" a very successful Broadway play was created. But in the early 1970's when Fosse decided to translate it to film --- he approached it all from a dramatically different way. With the writing skills of Jay Presson Allen secured, the Broadway Musical became more of a Film With Music. Fosse was most definitely concerned with the female lead character, "Sally Bowles" and her steadfast rebellious notion of "Divine Decadence" -- but with film he could take the "metaphorical" to a more literal exploration of Berlin as it was slipping toward the unspeakable horrors of Nazism and The Third Reich. With Geoffrey Unsworth serving as Cinematographer the film seamlessly slides from what we see being presented on the stage of the seedy Kit Kat club to the quickly approaching realities outside its doors. Fosse captures a culture which is at once "progressive" as it is "unaware.".

Michael York is "Brian" who serves as a fictional idea of writer Christopher Isherwood. Newly arrived to Berlin, he is eager to explore what he perceives as more free culture. As curious as he is, he is not quite ready to accept his own sexuality. The complexities of sexuality and love are as core to this film as are the catastrophic doom that most seem to view as a temporary reactionary group of nuts. The very real threat of Fascism and its consequences are ignored. The main characters of Cabaret are too distracted by their carnal desires and reverie to be bothered.

Film Culture has forgotten that Liza Minnelli was once a respected artist. She did it all: Actor, Singer and a very accomplished dancer. Sadly, her privately struggles have taken over the way she is now viewed. There are very few moments when an actor is this perfectly matched in her role. Liza Minnelli gives a truly amazing performance. It is an erotically-fueled study in self-absorption merged into self-loathing. It seems as if "Sally" is always in audition mode. She is a tragic and heartbreaking character. And Minnelli literally "becomes" this character for the entirety of the movie. Equally impressive is Joel Grey who manages to not only serve as "our" master of ceremonies but creepy monster who is all too eager to lead us into darkness as much as to the technicolor musical numbers on the stage. Both would receive Oscars for their performances.

It is also interesting to note that this was the year of The Godfather. While it won best film --- best director honor was given to Bob Fosse. It with hindsight that we realize that this was one of those rare moments the Academy Awards got it right. Godfather was the stronger film, but what Bob Fosse was able to achieve in Cabaret is far more challenging and important. If you've never seen it, you need to. This is an essential film.