Fame
PG for thematic material including teen drinking, a sexual situation and language
Is "Fame" the original, grittier "High School Musical" or the new, less gritty "Fame"? Yes. And though it's sure to get the performance juices pumping for the stage-lovers in the audience, it's not likely to become the most famous of the musical high school movies -- or even of the movies called "Fame."
The Story
This updating of the 1980 film and/or mid-80s TV series follows 10 high school students from their freshman through senior years at a rigorous, high-pressure New York City high school for the performing arts. Of the thousands who apply, only 200 are accepted every year based on their skill and potential as actors, dancers, singers, and musicians.
Jenny (Kay Panabaker), an uptight actor, draws the attention of Marco (Asher Book), a natural and easygoing singer. Angry young actor/rapper Malik (Collins Pennie) notices that classical pianist Denise (Naturi Naughton) is secretly the best singer in the school. Victor (Walter Perez) plays keys and DJs and has eyes for gifted ballet dancer Alice (Kherington Payne).
That still leaves dancing Kevin, acting Joy, and directing hopeful Neil to keep up with. But wait, there's also a lot of teachers played with great restraint by former sitcom stars like Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Bebe Neuwirth, and Charles S. Dutton.
About the story, though: All these people hang out for four years performing, relating, and going to school until they graduate.
The Verdict
What we thought of the film on its own terms
What Works: The idea of a high school for the performing arts -- where you have to be talented just to get enrolled -- is powerful enough to provide some drama all on its own, especially given the legacy of the "Fame" franchise. And you get some sense of that make-it-or-die-trying spirit very early in the film.
A few of the performances stand out and two or three of the characters who experience some growth or change during the four years crammed into this movie provide the film's highlights. Specifically, Denise's nearly silent battle with her parents to do more than just play piano and Malik's battle with himself -- provoked by his tough, compassionate acting teacher -- stand up thanks to the performances involved.
What Doesn't Work: I don't remember much at all about the original "Fame" movie or TV series. But I do remember being blown away (and a little intimidated, even) by the confidence, talent, urgency, joy, and drive of the performers. That is talked about in this new film, but I didn't feel it with any kind of intensity.
The other glaring problem is that there are just way too many characters and too many years covered for us to track beyond the surface much with anyone. Instead, the scenes end up feeling like a kind of highlight reel of four years in the lives of these dozen or twenty people, an expanded yearbook for someone else's high school.
With half as many characters and more scenes between the teachers and students where we see the kids being challenged and getting better, "Fame" might have told a more interesting story.
Content: The film landed a PG rating, but it does include some harsh language, along with uses of God's name for swearing. Students drink, and one gets drunk for a video to "expand her life experience." Students kiss; dancers and performers wear some skimpy clothing.
Worldview
How the film's take on life compares to a biblical perspective
The name of the movie is "Fame," and that is meant to serve as the driving motivation of the students to attend the school, though you don't really see that hunger in most of them. I don't know if it's intentional or just the film's construction, but even the kids seem unconvinced that fame in and of itself is a worthy goal.
The Bible would agree that making your own name glorious is both a sinful and unsatisfying goal in life. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon includes his own fame in the idea that all things "under the sun" are meaningless. It certainly didn't make him happy to be known for his talent, wealth, or power.
Proverbs 25:27 reflects that: "It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor."
In the 30 or so years since the first "Fame" film debuted, fame itself has become a different animal. You had the sense at that time that those kids were trying to get famous by becoming the best at their art. Since then, it's become obvious that you don't have to be all that talented at anything to get famous.
But this is an art school, and there will ever and always be a tension between talent and fame, between great art and getting rich. One is a worthless goal, and the other can be the height of Christlikeness as we imitate the Creator. And sometimes they overlap.
The challenge for artists of every kind in our era where everyone produces "content" all the time is to do the hard work it takes to make great art even if only a handful of people ever take it in. Do we create for fame and glory or to get the truth exactly right, to reflect real beauty and joy and glory with the best tools we have?
Questions
- Would you ever want to go to a high school for the performing arts? What would you specialize in if you could commit to one form of performing with everything you had?
- Which of the characters did you related to the most? Why?
- If you were remaking this film out of the same parts, how would you change it? What would you leave the same?
- What worldview perspectives would you say the film presented?
- Are you attracted to the idea of being famous? Would you like to be recognized for being great at something? What's the difference between those two things?
- How would you define art? How can creating art -- even as a performer -- be a form of Christlikeness? How can we do it in such a way as to bring glory to God?
Comments
Leah on Oct 04, 2009 said...
I was super upset this movie was rated PG. I am disappointed that you guys didn’t point out the scenes that made me hide my face because of how inappropriate it was. There is a ton of unnecessary provocative dancing, inappropriate costumes that made me want to leave. I was embarrassed and felt bad for the guys in the theater. This movie should NOT have been rated PG. It should have been rated AT LEAST PG 13.
Don’t go see this movie, it’s a waste of time and money.
Garrett Pletcher on Oct 08, 2009 said...
You must have some strict standards Leah because there was only really bad cuss word and two dances that were a bit questionable but other than that I don’t understand why you are implying that it should have been rated R. (“AT LEAST PG 13”) PG was the perfect rating for this movie. It is a great and wonderful movie anyone who loves music and theater should go see it!!
Leah on Oct 08, 2009 said...
Garrett, i respectfully disagree. The fact that this movie included issues such as suicide attempts, more than just a “bit” questionable dance dance right before that part, made it very unsuitable for younger kids. or anyone under the age of 13. I just think it was not appropriately rated.
Bradley on Feb 04, 2010 said...
I don’t see anything wrong with this movie at all, in fact i think it was a little short, it didn’t expound on the different students enough! I went with my School Acting class to see it!
the suicide attempt (only one) was a very poignant moment, in which a kids dreams were crushed! and his friends saving his life! that was very touching and sad! but the dance by kherington payne to the song black and gold, right before the suicide attempt was not “questionable”, (well maybe if you are a pilgrim or a quaker! lol) it was really well done and beautiful!! and one of the best parts of the movie! no wonder she was snatched up by a dance company! she’s amazing! the costumes throughout the movie were very appropriate for what they are used for, dance constumes are supose to be tight, and semi revealing because the point is to see your body moving, not be distracted by the cloths.
if nothing else, this movie was a little watered down and too “G” it didnt really capture what the original gave us, but over all it was a pleasant movie!
Theresa Revilak on Feb 13, 2010 said...
I was so disappointed in this movie. I had a 13 year old, 11 year old and 6 year old girls watching it with me and my husband, and I cringed at the language, the drinking, the sexual references. If you put a PG rating on a movie, I expect those ages to be able to watch it with no problems. Even the kids were offended at the language. The original had the same, but a stricter rating and the movie was actually good! This movie stunk. I was very disappointed and I’m writing to complain about the rating.
gaga on Sep 30, 2009 said...
i love this fame movie . it made me crazy. all costumes, dances, omg yep also songs fascinated me.
source
http://blog.80millionmoviesfree.com/in-theaters/watch-fame-online