Cabaret

Cabaret; Drama, USA, 1972; D: Bob Fosse, S: Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Helmut Griem, Joel Grey, Marisa Berenson

Berlin, '31. Englishman Brian Roberts rents a room in the apartment of American singer Sally Bowles who performs in a Cabaret. There she sings, entertains the guests and dreams about a career as an actress. Jew Fritz is in love with her, but leaves her for a Jewish woman, Natalia. Sally tries to seduce Brian, but he tells her that women don't excite him. Still, they start a relationship anyway. Soon she starts to flirt with the rich Max who gives her expensive presents and accepts Brian as a friend. The trio has fun in the villa and travels through the country. But the Nazi party strengthens, Sally becomes pregnant and hires an abortion expert, while Brian leaves Berlin.

One of the most famous films by Bob Fosse is the acclaimed drama "Cabaret" that won 3 Golden Globes (best motion picture - musical or comedy, actress Liza Minnelli and supporting actor Joel Gray - even though his appearance is only reduced to the Master of ceremonies in short dancing acts that break up the story), 7 BAFTA awards (including best film) and 8 Oscars (including best director, actress Minnelli, actor Grey). "Cabaret" is an excellent film with occasional musical additions, but Fosse knew how to avoid conventionality and boredom: the singers wrestle in their underwear in mud on the stage; Sally tells Brian he is "too English" while it is implied he had gay affinities. Even the dance sequences are impressive, from the one where Sally is dancing with her legs while sitting on the chair up to the song "Money Makes the World Go Round" where her partner throws her a dime in her cleavage. But even the sole story about the disparate romance set before the beginning of World War II captivates with it's fine tone and questions about life.

Grade:+++