A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line

Movie spotlight

A Chorus Line

1985
Movie
118 min
English

A group of dancers congregate on the stage of a Broadway theatre to audition for a new musical production directed by Zach. After the initial eliminations, seventeen hopefuls remain, among them Cassie, who once had a tempestuous romantic relationship with Zach. She is desperate enough for work to humble herself and audition for him; whether he's willing to let professionalism overcome his personal feelings about their past remains to be seen.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes61%
Metacritic50/100
Google Users75%
Director: Richard AttenboroughGenres: Drama, Musical, Romance

Plot Summary

During a grueling audition for a new Broadway musical, a diverse group of dancers pour their hearts out, revealing intimate details of their lives, struggles, and dreams. The demanding director, Zach, pushes them to their limits, forcing them to confront their pasts and their deepest insecurities. As the final callbacks approach, the dancers grapple with the sacrifices they've made for their art and the precarious nature of their careers.

Critical Reception

The 1985 film adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical 'A Chorus Line' received a mixed to positive reception from critics. While many praised its ambitious attempt to translate the stage production to the screen and the powerful performances of its cast, some found it lacked the intimacy and raw energy of its theatrical counterpart. Audiences generally appreciated the familiar songs and themes, though its box office performance was somewhat modest.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its faithful adaptation of beloved musical numbers and compelling narrative.

  • Some critics found the transition from stage to screen lost some of the original's impact.

  • The performances were generally well-received, capturing the emotional depth of the characters.

Google audience: Viewers appreciated the film's faithful adaptation of the classic musical, enjoying the memorable songs and the touching stories of the dancers. Some felt the film didn't quite capture the live energy of the stage show, but overall, it was seen as a solid and emotional cinematic experience.

Fun Fact

The film adaptation was directed by Richard Attenborough, who had previously directed the critically acclaimed film 'Gandhi'.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Were it not for Marvin Hamlisch's "Surprise, Surprise" then I think this film would be even more forgettable than it actually is. Michael Douglas is the hard-to-please Broadway director "Zach" who is casting the dance ensemble for his lates...

talisencrw

talisencrw

For what it is--a slice-of-life of a group of people, trying to make the big-time and at least be able to say that they were on Broadway--it's a fine work. I admit I haven't seen the stage play--which many sources say is far superior to thi...