Call in the cleaners, because this film could use a little spit-shining and elbow grease. Kevin Tancharoen makes his directorial debut with the remake of the 1980 hit movie “Fame.”
The original film contained a gritty, realistic script full of teenage angst and edgy urban flavor. It tackled controversial topics like homosexuality and racism, and was fueled by standout musical numbers. The remake falls short of its original, though it may still have enough charge behind it to be worth seeing.
The film follows talented, young performers through their four years of high school. As part of the handful of the 200 accepted applicants to the prestigious New York City High School for the Performing Arts, these students receive coveted, specialized training from a school known to churn out famous actors, musicians and producers. Struggling through an extremely competitive atmosphere while wrestling with normal teenage anxieties, these students face breakups, make-ups and parental disapproval. One by one, they each find their niche, with most well on their way to star status, but a few falling short of expectations.
Though not as bold and unkempt as the original, the film still deals with a few controversial issues. Na?ve little Jenny Garrison, played by Kay Panabaker (“Nancy Drew”), often finds herself in sticky situations. Her ignorance leads her to a famous actor’s trailer, where he proceeds to videotape a “love scene” with her, assuring Jenny that it is only part of an audition. We all know how that story goes. Luckily, she catches on in time to slap him and flee the trailer, but loses her boyfriend in the process.
Struggling ballet dancer, Kevin, played by Paul McGill (“Man on Wire”), also faces hard times. After being told by his dance teacher that he has no hope for fame, Kevin falls into a depression. He attempts to hurl himself in front of a subway train, but is saved by Jenny and her friends in the nick of time. He also appears overtly feminine in the film, though he never “comes out” like the audience may expect. This is but another example of how the remake differs from the original film. The 1980 movie dealt openly with homosexuality, while the new version seems to keep it tightly locked in the closet.
Tancharoen should have gone in a different direction more true to the original, perhaps focusing more on the issues of suicide and homosexuality rather than stifling them. Though it would have been a bit dark, the plotline could have really benefited from Kevin actually going through with the suicide, allowing Tancharoen to explore how a friend’s death affected his characters.
As Jenny’s, Kevin’s and the other students’ struggles continue, the plot holes left in the film’s wake are hard to handle. The movie churns out unresolved subplot after unresolved subplot, leaving audiences hanging. Difficulties arise, and are never brought up again.
In one scene, vocal instructor Fran Rowan (Megan Mullally, “Will and Grace”), belts out a powerful and moving rendition of a Broadway classic at a karaoke bar. This prompts her students to ask why she never went professional. Ms. Rowan shrugs off the question with a clich? answer, leaving the viewers wanting more. This could have been another chance to really develop the plot into something more interesting.
The unresolved subplots continue to unfold, but among them is still some scattered entertainment. The standout actress, by a landslide, is Naturi Naughton (“Notorious”), who plays young Denise Dupree, a powerhouse of a singer that could easily give Beyonce a run for her money. Naughton belts out a jaw-dropping rendition of “Out Here on My Own,” one of the few musical numbers from the original score.
Newcomer Asher Book also shows off his vocal chops as the sweet and sexy crooner Marco. Though most of the cast features strong vocals, the acting is not quite up to par. Had Tancharoen put more musical numbers in the film, “Fame” may have been a complete hit. Sadly, popular songs from the original version never appear in the film including “Red Light,” “Bring on Tomorrow” and the song the movie itself is titled for.
Besides a few compelling musical numbers and an exciting finale performance, audiences will not be too impressed. If you don’t mind a completely different version of the 1980 original, however, you stand a chance to enjoy the film. But if you are hoping to see an accurate remake — or hear some of your favorite songs — you will be leaving the theater disappointed.
2 out of 5 stars.
