Review of Cabaret (1993) by Brian H — 01 Jan 2008

I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea. I think I'm the only person in the world who wasn't taken by this film. I'm not a fan of the musical either (although I know the two are pretty different).

I think Fosse does a really great job and Liza Minnelli is fascinating as Sally Bowles, one of the most interesting characters of all time. And of course, Joel Grey is terrific. But besides the thrilling musical numbers that bookmark the scenes, I find most of the film just plain boring.

There's no suspense or conventional storytelling. No rising action, no real plot. There are more or less two subplots that kind of overlap each other but neither really stirred much emotion or interest in me.

I do appreciate the character studies and the dissection of a very specific time and place in history. I just never got emotional or moved by any of it - except for maybe the brilliant scene when the young Nazis sing Tomorrow Belongs to Me.

So I recognize the craft involved in the direction and the excellent filmmaking and there were moments I was captivated, but overall this story (or lack thereof) doesn't do much for me.