On C List of Movie Reviews
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Cabaret (1972)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
2/17
2/17:
A surprise winner of 1972, Cabaret, which was shot on location in Germany, bested
The Godfather at the Academy
Awards by eight to three and remains the film with most Oscars without winning Best Picture.
Liza Minnelli is famous for this because of her unique iconic look. Although she's special and hits the
right notes, I'll have to say it was her makeup that did it, but she deserved the Oscar for Best Actress. Her
character is supposed to be less talented.
Even better than Liza Minnelli is Joel Grey. Winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, he did the impossible by beating
out Al Pacino, James Caan, and Robert Duvall for The Godfather. I have to agree with the decision
because he's marvelous and unforgettable as the Master of Ceremonies. He did the role for the stage version, too.
Here's a piece of trivia you might not know: Joel Grey, whose name is actually Joel David Katz, is the father of
Jennifer Grey, the very same actress from Dirty Dancing and
Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Because of the foreboding invasion of Nazism, the story, however little it is, is haunting and surreal, thanks to the
brilliant Oscar-winning editing by David Bretherton. In many ways, the film reminds me of
Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Additionally, the shows are well-choreographed, and the lyrics are catchy.
All in all, setting an example of how a musical should be, Cabaret is considered the Zeitgeist film of
Germany's cabaret scene of the 20's and 30's.