FROM THE BACK OF THE BOX:
Hopefuls try out before a demanding director for a part in a new musical.
FROM THE BACK OF MY BRAIN:
“A Chorus Line” is one of those weird VHS memories that I always remembered passing in the Video Village, when I went to find a copy of “The Secret of NIMH” or “Flight of the Navigator”. Later, I would learn the history of the musical and see it performed a few times. But, there was something weird about chopping up the show’s structure and forcing it to fit into a film. While the initial music cues are there, the relationship between the director and the cast feels forced. Poor Terence Mann tries to hang his part together, but Michael Douglas feels woefully miscast.
Sir Richard Attenborough was a unique choice for this film. Coming off his Oscar win for “Gandhi”, I would’ve pegged him as sticking with historical dramas or a war flick. But, something about this tale of working class gypsies struck a chord for him. I get why, as the film was shot in 70mm to bring a sense of majestic scale to a group of working stiffs trying to get their break. There’s something very cyclical about the nature of performance and it’s captured well in this film. Better in the musical, but go see the stage show and decide for yourself.
The Blu-Ray comes with a trailer and is actually missing material that was on the DVD. Sure, it was just a profile on Marvin Hamlisch, but we shouldn’t be making the bold leap forward by omitting material. Had FOX given this one away to Twilight Time, they would’ve used it. The A/V Quality sports a strong 1080p transfer that makes me remember just how wide this movie was shot. Plus, the DTS-HD 2.0 master audio track carries the music with every little step it takes. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!
