Cabaret is the rare Best Picture winner that I think has not only stood the test of time but managed to remain somehow underrated (and yes! I know it was up against The Godfather!!!! I watched every episode of The Offer, you can’t tell me shit!). Fosse has such an innate sense of film as a medium, and particularly how to queasily thread the needle between naked entertainment and subversion. Impossible not to be seduced into just “enjoying Liza doing her thing” regardless of whatever else is happening. Liza’s kooky-attractive charisma (“you’re about as fatale as an after dinner mint!”) adds a level of wholesome plausible deniability that really veils the obvious rot within Sally.
I think the film version, in making Sally actually talented (albeit still just scraping by) instead of a mediocrity, ends up being more of an indictment of artistic complicity with fascism—isn’t the naive hope always that extraordinary people will use their gifts for something beyond self-advancement, given that they are in a unique position to do exactly that? Haha, no.
I often think of Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon saying "doesn't that sound like a hit!"
I am also a Fosse Head, and I go back and forth on whether I think Cabaret or All That Jazz is his best film--I think the former is, like, one of The Perfect Movies, but the latter has the autobiographical thing that I think I ultimately value most. Anyway, I would love a Convo Part Two after you both rewatch
not once but TWICE in my youth (once in middle school, once studying abroad) I thought I was alone in a domicile and was belting "hey big spender" and then later learned I had not been alone and that some adult had HEARD ME, and it was very embarrassing but that just proves, I think, the innate power of mister bob fosse
Ok wow this showed up on my notes page but I’ve literally never heard anyone mention any of the Gormenghast trilogy ever but it’s one of my favorite things!! I discovered it several years ago totally randomly. It’s so crazy, funny, and original!! New subscriber here 😁
More like Titus GREAT! I got my copy of the Gormenghast novels last Christmas and have yet to really crack them. I will take partial credit for making this happen, unless it goes poorly, in which case I will take all of the credit. Can’t wait!
tell your roommate i watch the mendes tape in parts on youtube on my phone once a year and then ask him what he thought of maude apatow as sally bowles
Cabaret is the rare Best Picture winner that I think has not only stood the test of time but managed to remain somehow underrated (and yes! I know it was up against The Godfather!!!! I watched every episode of The Offer, you can’t tell me shit!). Fosse has such an innate sense of film as a medium, and particularly how to queasily thread the needle between naked entertainment and subversion. Impossible not to be seduced into just “enjoying Liza doing her thing” regardless of whatever else is happening. Liza’s kooky-attractive charisma (“you’re about as fatale as an after dinner mint!”) adds a level of wholesome plausible deniability that really veils the obvious rot within Sally.
I think the film version, in making Sally actually talented (albeit still just scraping by) instead of a mediocrity, ends up being more of an indictment of artistic complicity with fascism—isn’t the naive hope always that extraordinary people will use their gifts for something beyond self-advancement, given that they are in a unique position to do exactly that? Haha, no.
I often think of Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon saying "doesn't that sound like a hit!"
I am also a Fosse Head, and I go back and forth on whether I think Cabaret or All That Jazz is his best film--I think the former is, like, one of The Perfect Movies, but the latter has the autobiographical thing that I think I ultimately value most. Anyway, I would love a Convo Part Two after you both rewatch
This is nuts— I just so happened to see “Cabaret” for the first time ever LAST NIGHT. WHAT TIMING!!! 😱😱
not once but TWICE in my youth (once in middle school, once studying abroad) I thought I was alone in a domicile and was belting "hey big spender" and then later learned I had not been alone and that some adult had HEARD ME, and it was very embarrassing but that just proves, I think, the innate power of mister bob fosse
how does redmayne’s emcee compare to his balem abrasax
FOSSE FEVER 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
Ok wow this showed up on my notes page but I’ve literally never heard anyone mention any of the Gormenghast trilogy ever but it’s one of my favorite things!! I discovered it several years ago totally randomly. It’s so crazy, funny, and original!! New subscriber here 😁
More like Titus GREAT! I got my copy of the Gormenghast novels last Christmas and have yet to really crack them. I will take partial credit for making this happen, unless it goes poorly, in which case I will take all of the credit. Can’t wait!
“It’s Fosse Fever, Not Fosse Fancy!” - need it printed on a shirt and/or bumper sticker
tell your roommate i watch the mendes tape in parts on youtube on my phone once a year and then ask him what he thought of maude apatow as sally bowles
Getting my copy of Titus Groan immediately and putting it out there: the secret is that all Oklahoma!s are sexy! it is a sexy musical.
Can’t wait to figure out what Dr Alfred Prunesquallor’s deal is!!
I bought Mervyn's trilogy on Kindle for $15. It was a better deal than just buying the first book.
My mom and I are SO excited for titus as you know!! So excited we didn't use the affiliate link oops sorry.
Also take a shot every time phil says "Liza Minnelli"