It dawned on me that, when I first saw this movie as a kid, it was stupid. Disco sucked and the fashion was dumb. The music by The Bee Gees was already dated. That's because I'd been watching the PG rated version all this time.
Even in today's culture, I'd consider it a Hard 'R' rather than the 'R' given. In fact, I'd say it caught up to the sexual insanity we face now. That a girl who is so tired of chasing an unobtainable dancing fool would allow herself to be gang-banged, and then go about life as if nothing is wrong. A cum-dumpster of sorts. Or as Tony Manero says "you're either a good girl or a cunt, which do you wanna be."
I feel bad for the schmucks who fell for disco. In the documentary that accompanied this disc, it does mention the fact that people were tired of the sick and dark. They were 2 years after Vietnam War and wanted something mindless. Disco was the answer.
There is no real plot to speak of, in this movie. Only that Tony (none other than John Travolta) wants to win a dance contest and is trying to survive the harsh realities of Brooklyn. He shits all over a girl who fawns over him (aforementioned Annette, played by Donna Pescow) to get hooked up with a wannabe uptown girl, Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorley). Even her name is WASP-y.
The 'R' version of this movie is amazing. The language of the city is so authentic, you swear you're living in the sweaty city. It's a night of just...showing off your dance moves. Which was what this movie is based, a story about the underground of disco.
What is truly amazing about this movie, is Travolta. Yeah, he is Vinnie Barbarino, but...as Tony, he has depth no real teenager has. Even though he's sort of an ignorant clod, unimpressed with Stephanie's airs, he sees his life for something bigger than the mooks he grew up with, or works around. In that sense, they're a pretty good predecessor to "Good Will Hunting." He has natural talent, good looks and a curiosity about the world. Yet, he expresses them like a caveman. To impress his friends? Most likely. He knows it's a dead end hanging around. But in the meantime, the dancing makes him feel like a king, if only...well, there is a secret to that as well which is revealed.
Tony Manero is a dynamic complex character. He is racist, but not. Misogynistic, but not. A thug, but not. Hell, he don't even knows what he is, but something eats at him to be more.
Expertly directed by John Badham, who incidentally re-created the dancing in "Short Circuit" which he also directed.
Does the movie hold up? Story wise, definitely. Fashion wise...I think polyester is going to make another come back.
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