Cabaret is one of the most unique and gripping movies I have seen in a long time. Going into it with almost no idea what it would be about made the experience even better. From amazing dance sequences (perfectly choreographed by director Bob Fosse and wife Gwen Verdon) to an exciting storyline that on the surface is full of glitz and glam but really holds a dark under current, Cabaret is the best film adaptation of a play that I have seen. Featuring Liza Minnelli and Michael York, plus an incredible supporting cast, this is a film that any fan of musical theatre or history/period pieces will love.
Set in 1939 pre-World War II Berlin, the film opens with a cabaret performance that sets the tone for the rest of the film, introducing the audience to the dark, gritty underbelly of the city while also showing us what Berlin looked like before the war. Throughout the film it becomes clear that the threat of Nazi-ism is on the rise, and this is first shown in the club when a man wearing a Nazi uniform is kicked out and beaten by the club's manager. Later on, people become more tolerant of Nazi's and they become seen more prevalently in the film, while separately characters begin being attacked for being Jewish.
For a film released in 1972, this movie is very ahead of its time and very progressive in the topics that it discusses. I liked that the movie did not shy away from hard to discuss situations and took the audience on the journey with the characters.
This film is both funny and serious, the cabaret scenes and witty dialogue will have you laughing one minute while the heartbreak that the characters endure will have you on the edge of your seat. With amazing direction and quick cutting of scenes to create a fast-paced world for the audience, the movie will fly by and leave you wanting more.
Rating: ★★★★★
Recommended for fans of: musicals, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), historical/period pieces, Chicago (2002)
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