Average Customer Review:
 ( 136 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 56 found the following review helpful:
 A visual feast even for an only lukewarm fan of BroadwayFeb 20, 2001
By Joseph Haschka
Soon after its 1979 release, curiosity impelled me to see ALL THAT JAZZ. I say curiosity because anything smacking of a film musical didn't then attract my attention much. Not yet an old dog, and apparently still capable of learning a new trick, I remember being impressed. Recently, I saw it presented on the Big Screen once again as part of a classic film revival. I'm reminded what a truly superb production this is.
Roy Scheider, in arguably his greatest role ever, portrays Joe Gideon, a work-obsessed Broadway choreographer and director existing on cancer sticks, booze, sex and uppers. Directed by the preeminent choreographer Bob Fosse, ALL THAT JAZZ was purportedly semi-autobiographical.
Joe is struggling to put together a new dance production and, simultaneously, edit a behind-schedule film, all the while juggling the three principal women in his life: ex-wife, current significant other, and teenage daughter. Talk about stress! In periodic visual sidebars, we watch as Joe rationalizes his self-destructive behavior to a glamorous Angel of Death, coquettishly played by Jessica Lange.
The film's dance sequences, products of Bob Fosse's brilliance, and sets by Phillip Rosenberg and Tony Walton, are visual extravaganzas not to be missed. (Oscars were awarded for Art Direction and Set Decoration.) Perhaps the cleverest is the solo routine performed by the ex-wife character as she rehearses a number to be performed in Gideon's latest production, all the while debating with him the course of their failed relationship. Positively engaging is the "impromptu" number performed for Joe at his apartment by his current mistress (played by the strikingly long-legged Ann Reinking), along with his daughter. Then there's the sexually suggestive "Air Otica/Come Fly With Us" ballet sequence, Gideon's attempt to energize an otherwise stodgy production. ("Well, we've lost the family audience.")
Another nice touch for the uninitiated is the revelation that performer selection and training for a polished dance routine is a hard, sweaty, merciless process. The faint-hearted best not show up for the audition.
Perhaps the film's only flaw is its length as it unwinds to its foregone conclusion. Although ALL THAT JAZZ won an Oscar for Film Editing, the Ben Vereen-assisted toe-tapper should have been considerably shortened. However, that said, it must be emphasized that the movie is richly entertaining throughout. Perchance you ever have the opportunity to see it on the Big Screen, don't pass it by. As Gideon so expressively states in front of the mirror each morning after he girds himself (with Dexedrine and Visine) for another grueling day , "It's show time!"
19 of 19 found the following review helpful:
 It's showtime, Folks!May 24, 2003
By Dave Beards
Bob Fosse is a name that, in the minds of Broadway enthusiasts, is paralleled with images of breathtaking and original choreography. Those who have seen live versions of Cabaret, Chicago and Sweet Charity will know what a major talent he was in the Broadway world. In 1979 he directed and co-wrote All That Jazz - a 'fictitious' autobiographical account of his work and life.Whilst a little long and some over indulgence occurs, All That Jazz is a remarkably original movie. It is not only a fascinating insight into the mind and life of a brilliant and talented man, but a captured record of the 1970's Broadway scene. What is so remarkable about All The Jazz is that we actually enter into Fosses' mind to explore his thoughts, feelings and emotions. Two vehicles are used to achieve this - conversations with death (in the form of a white laced Jessica Lange) and stunning Broadway musical sequences. We explore his feelings on women, death and his art. Roy Scheider brings a considerable amount of charisma and emotion to the role of Joe Gideon (who is based on Fosse). Another standout is Anne Reinking - ex lover of Fosse and seasoned Broadway performer. It would have been nice to see her film career take off so we could have seen more of her work. All the cast perform brilliantly in their roles, and a few surprises pop up with some early performances of some now well known actors. All That Jazz contains wonderful performances, brilliant music and a story that not only captures the essence of a significant man in the history of Broadway, but also the vibrancy and originality of Broadway in the 70's. Watch this movie and go back in time to a wonderful world during a colourful era.
22 of 24 found the following review helpful:
 FLAWED, WEAK TRANSFER of a THOROUGHLY ENGROSSING FILMAug 19, 2003
By Nix Pix
"All That Jazz" is a semi-autobiographical recounting of Bob Fosse's life. Directed by the master himself, the film follows Broadway producer, Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider)as he spirals into an oblivion of drug addiction, alcoholism and womanizing while preparing to launch his greatest show yet. Joe is ably pushed to the edge of the great beyond by the lovely Angel of Death (Jessica Lange)who eventually gets her wish. This is perhaps the only time in my viewing experience that a musical film has given me chills. The entire plot functions on the mental anguish of its protagonist and his inevitable demise and the final few moments are truly unsettling.
So is FOX's DVD transfer quality; the image suffers from dated - often muddy - colors, washed out and pasty flesh tones, weak blacks, an excessive amount of film grain and various age related artifacts that generally detract from the visual experience. Edge enhancement and pixelization are big problems in certain scenes but others appear to be free of their frustrating inclusion. The soundtrack is Stereo Surround, well balanced though, on occasion, strident.
EXTRAS: An interview with Scheider while he was making the film that is needlessly divided into chapter stops that don't matter. Ditto for several snippets of Fosse at work on the set. The theatrical trailer is also included.
BOTTOM LINE: If you simply can't live without this film - as I could not (for its brilliant story telling vision and disconcerted charm)then I recommend it highly. The transfer, however, will disappoint - especially for a film of seventies vintage!
22 of 24 found the following review helpful:
All That Music, All that Drama, ALL THAT JAZZ!!!May 29, 1999
If you have very little knowledge of the life and work of Bob Fosse, you'll probably see this movie as dark and pointless. But for anyone who knows anything about this legend, you'll agree that "All That Jazz" is nothing less than a MASTERPEICE! Fosse was nothing short of a genius. That fact that he could actually predict his own death and face his vices head-on proves what an intelligent, strong, sensitive, and brilliant man he was. Yes, this film is very depressing, but life isn't always a Walt Disney film. Like his other musical triumphs, "Sweet Charity" and "Cabaret", the film is dark and sexy, but has plenty of heart. And like all of his film work, it is visually stunning and truly original. This is one guy who didn't do stuff by the book, and the results are always unique and dynamic. Roy Scheider and Ann Reinking give the best performances of their careers. Fosse is an icon who will never be forgotten, and this film does justice to the virtuoso he was. If you aren't familiar with Fosse, I would recommend one or both of the excellent books "Razzle Dazzle: The Life and Works of Bob Fosse" or "All His Jazz: The Life and Death of Bob Fosse". It will give you appreciation for this hauntingly poetic piece of contemporary cinema. A true work of art.
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Brilliant movie. Imperfect DVD.Dec 30, 2008
By NEIL TOBIN
I am a huge fan of Bob Fosse in general, and of this movie specifically. However, the current Special Music Edition DVD (which replaces the now-discontinued original DVD release) has several flaws that prevent me from giving this a full five-star rating.
(1) Incomplete picture: this film deserves to be viewed in a letterbox format that delivers the full picture as the director intended; pan-and-scan is unfortunately the only format provided here.
(2) Dark picture: there's a lot of murkiness in the shadows, much more than in the previous released version. This renders some of the action (especially in Scene 5 with Victoria) nearly invisible.
(3) Commentary thinness: the commentary provided by editor Alan Heim is fun, but could be so much more. Why isn't the scene commentary provided by the late Roy Scheider from the prior DVD release also included on this one? And why haven't other leads (particularly Ann Reinking, who has played such a big part in the resurgence of popular interest in Fosse's work) been tapped to be a part of this?
(4) Special Features filler: unfortunately, there just isn't a lot here. We've got two short featurettes of Fosse colleagues talking about his dances, intercut with numbers from the movie. The rest of the special features menu just raises questions. Why is there an interview with George Benson about recording the opening song, "On Broadway?" It's unnecessary and not at all illuminating. Do we really need a direct menu to all the musical numbers? I thought that's what the scene selection menu was for. And a singalong of "Take Off With Us?" You've gotta be kidding me; what a waste of time and menu space. In their place, imagine what could have been included: how about an overview of his choreography for film, from "Kiss Me Kate" and "My Sister Eileen" forward? Or even better, a non-fictional look at Fosse's life for comparison -- couldn't somebody have talked to the folks at PBS and included its Emmy Award-winning hour-long biography on him, which aired in 1990 but remains unreleased?
I hope that one day, "All That Jazz" finally receives the DVD release it deserves. Until then, the Special Music Edition will have to do.
See all 136 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 136 reviews
