daisyduke8000

This movie endures as one of my favorites since the first day I saw it. I had originally heard of it and wanted to see it because I've always been a Cary Grant fan, but what eventually made me go out and get a copy was after having seen Sleepless In Seattle, I was curious to see if it was as good as they let on. It was not - it was, in fact, BETTER! By far, it is one of the most romantic classic films I have ever seen. It also holds special memories for me as well - my boyfriend, the absolute love of my life, and I watched it in the first month that we were together. To us, it will always be "our movie". I'm sure that we're not the first, nor the last, couple (or person for that matter) who associate this film with special moments in their life.

So for those of you who have never seen this beautiful film, go and find a copy and begin creating your own memories with it.

My family and I have been watching this movie at least once every summer since 1988 (we taped it). It's one of those movies you can watch a thousand times, have every line memorized, and still laugh at all the same jokes. One thing I noticed about this one is that they switched the characters of Schwartz and Flick. In "A Christmas Story", Schwartz is the cool, cocky one and Flick is the pathetic loser. In this installment, Flick is the cool one and Schwartz is the loser. Is this intended? Oh well, no matter what it's a great movie. The people who play the parents are excellent. Especially James Sikking, he is absolutely hilarious. I want to see this on DVD sometime soon. Everyone should see this movie. Family Channel should run it again.

This is what happens when directors, actors, etc. who know very little about musicals try too hard to do someting they know nothing about. The only one here with any previous musical experience is Catherine Zeta-Jones, and even she couldn't save it. Don't get me wrong, it is a good movie, but that's it. Good, not great. Not only did they change it from the original stage version (always a receipe for the death of a musical), but they went too far with the "glitz-glamour-razzle-dazzle". So far in fact, that the charm of the portrayed era, the 1920s, was lost, and in it's place was the hollow shell of a 90s fantasy of by-gone days. Razzle dazzle is fantastic, but too much will kill the substance of a musical, make it too bloated, then it will die.

The story though, is still wonderful. Lots of fun, and cynical as well. The music is fantastic, probably the highlight of the movie. But Richard Gere as Billy Flynn???? What were they thinking! John Travolta was offered it, but he turned it down unfortunately. Personally, I would have loved to see Harry Connick Jr. as Billy Flynn. He's got the class, not a phoney act. He can SING, and certainly will be able to dance. He would have been a much better choice, and had he'd been in it, he would have made the movie better by adding the extra class the movie so desperately wanted but never fully achieved.

In all, I give it three stars. It's fun to see once in a while, but not what you should go for if you love a true musical. Some suggestions: anything with Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Eleanor Powell, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, Vera-Ellen, etc. Or for those who enjoy more modern ones, should try the likes of Hair, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, A Chorus Line, or Cabaret.