It's showtime, folks!
All That Jazz is easily one of the most unique biopics ever made and sets the standard for them. Written and directed by Bob Fosse, the film focuses loosely, but obviously, on his own life within the musical theatre community. Fosse's stand-in Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider) is a womanizing, pill-popping musical genius that poses a great financial liability to his Broadway producers due to his poor health and refusal to clean himself up.
The film follows Gideon as he works to bring a new show to Broadway while simultaneously editing one of his films. While working on his new play and film, Gideon chats with an angel of death (Jessica Lange) as he takes her through the story of his life starting as a young boy in burlesque clubs through his own death from a heart attack, which is eerily how Fosse would die just a few years later. Gideon's ex-wife, current girlfriend, young daughter, and new mistresses all come in and out of his life as he slowly spirals out of control.
It's rare to find such a self aware film made by the person that the film is about. No one but Bob Fosse could have made a movie about himself and have it turn out to be this good. This is a musical that transcends the genre and even those who do not typically enjoy musicals will love the history of New York City found in this deeply personal film.
Rating: ★★★★★
Recommended for fans of: musicals, Cabaret (1972), biographical, Amadeus (1984), A Star Is Born (1976)
0 Comments.