This is a fine post. “All That Jazz” is one of my favorite films. The final number with Ben Vereen is incomparable. “Bye, bye, love . . .” And the expression of Gideon as he is carried forward to his rendezvous with Angelique is quite something. I have the soundtrack. Just great movie-making, on an adult level.
Thanks for reading and for your kind words about my post! "All That Jazz" is one of my all-time favorite films as well. I also have the soundtrack and play it a lot too.
Thanks for reading! I agree that "All That Jazz" isn't perfect, but it sure is fascinating, especially if you know a lot about Fosse's personal life and how it's reflected in the film.
Thanks for reading! There are so many great lines in this film, don't you think? I'm constantly going around quoting the movie, but most of the time, nobody recognizes the dialogue.
When you consider the nominees for best actor and their finished performance in their respective films, I would definitely agree that Roy is the hands down winner.
Not knowing what an SOB Fosse could be, it made me re-evaluate his work, including All That Jazz, realizing how truly autobiographical it is. Also amazing the respect his leading ladies had for his talent despite the abuse they suffered at his hands.
Thanks for reading! Yes, I was quite surprised at just how good the miniseries really turned out to be - Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell were totally believable as Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse.
As someone who remembers both Fosse and Verdon I thought Rockwell and Williams and the series were superb. But my absolute favorite scene was the one depicting the filming of All That Jazz. Lin-Manuel Miranda was one of the producers and he took the cameo of Scheider who was playing Gideon who of course was the film's version of Fosse. Very meta.
Thanks for writing this and posting it. "All That Jazz" is one of my favorite movies, and I have watched several documentaries about Bob Fosse. He was a genius, and his choreography is unmistakeable.
I work with a woman who is a dancer and we could talk for hours about Fosse's work, alas, we have to work. ,
After the recent death of Gene Hackman I watched "The French Connection" again. It's hard to imagine his partner Roy Scheider as Fosse, but in a few years, it happened.
I could keep going, but the cattle call scene of the stage filled with dancers alone is just brilliant film making. And the death scene with Ben Vereen ("And great humanitarian"), all singing, all dancing, was a treat.
Pardon me while I have a quiet moment for the beautiful Ann Reinking - she was stunning!
Thanks for reading my post! I agree with everything you said - and, as you can probably tell, "All That Jazz" is one of my all-time favorite movies too. It's just sad that Fosse wasn't able to make more movies. Sometimes I fantasize what his version of "Chicago" would have been like as a film. Sadly, we'll never know.
Right out of deeply personal experience, no filters. They have patches where they’re so raw and brutally honest that they’re chilling. Mixed with a real entertainer’s instincts.
The last time I saw ALL THAT JAZZ, it left me speechless. And so did Roy Scheider in it.
I re-watch "All That Jazz" all the time and every time I do I see something new in the film I didn't notice before. And yes, Roy Scheider's performance in it continues to amaze me too. Thanks again for taking the time to read my post!
Thinking too much about who won the Oscar will drive you crazy. Roberto Benigni in LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL over Nick Nolte in AFFLICTION? Kevin Spacey in AMERICAN BEAUTY the year of Sean Penn in SWEET AND LOWDOWN and Richard Farnsworth in THE STRAIGHT STORY? …
Bob Fosse was absolutely unique. He came out of dance and you can feel it in every moment of his films, musical and non-musical. His films come from a very different place
Thanks for reading my post! I agree that Bob Fosse was a very unique film director. I wish he had made more films during his all too brief life (although I can't watch "Star 80" because it's so brutally devastating for me).
Just “rewatched” the film, and honestly couldn’t recall most of it. Now I’m thinking I might only have recollected scenes , trailers or the buzz related to the movie when it premiered :) But I agree you with you 100%. Great performance, film & review. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Thanks for sending me back!
Thanks for reading my post! I agree we need more movies today like "All That Jazz." And, yes, you're right - sadly, they don't make this kind of film anymore. I think the 1970s was really the last great era of Hollywood film.
This is a fine post. “All That Jazz” is one of my favorite films. The final number with Ben Vereen is incomparable. “Bye, bye, love . . .” And the expression of Gideon as he is carried forward to his rendezvous with Angelique is quite something. I have the soundtrack. Just great movie-making, on an adult level.
Hi Dark Sky Best,
Thanks for reading and for your kind words about my post! "All That Jazz" is one of my all-time favorite films as well. I also have the soundtrack and play it a lot too.
Scheider was masterful in that film.
For sure! And he should have won the Oscar that year too.
He was the American Jean Luis Trintignant
Hi Juergen,
Thanks for reading! That’s a great comparison - yes, indeed he was in many ways.
Yep, Roy should have won. It was brilliant.
Hi David,
Thanks for reading! Yes, I agree!
All That Jazz deserves a rewatch from me - big Fosse fan, but I found the film a bit self-indulgent.
Hi John,
Thanks for reading! I agree that "All That Jazz" isn't perfect, but it sure is fascinating, especially if you know a lot about Fosse's personal life and how it's reflected in the film.
Legendary stuff
“It’s showtime, folks”
Hi David,
Thanks for reading! There are so many great lines in this film, don't you think? I'm constantly going around quoting the movie, but most of the time, nobody recognizes the dialogue.
For sure
When you consider the nominees for best actor and their finished performance in their respective films, I would definitely agree that Roy is the hands down winner.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for reading! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that Roy Scheider should've won the Oscar that year.
The Fosse/Verdon miniseries is amazing as well. Both leads do some of their best work.
Not knowing what an SOB Fosse could be, it made me re-evaluate his work, including All That Jazz, realizing how truly autobiographical it is. Also amazing the respect his leading ladies had for his talent despite the abuse they suffered at his hands.
Thanks for reading! Yes, I was quite surprised at just how good the miniseries really turned out to be - Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell were totally believable as Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse.
As someone who remembers both Fosse and Verdon I thought Rockwell and Williams and the series were superb. But my absolute favorite scene was the one depicting the filming of All That Jazz. Lin-Manuel Miranda was one of the producers and he took the cameo of Scheider who was playing Gideon who of course was the film's version of Fosse. Very meta.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reading! Yes, very meta indeed!
A great analysis and appreciation.
Hi Michael,
Thank you! I appreciate you reading it too.
Fosse/Schneider—wrong tribe, no awards
Thanks for writing this and posting it. "All That Jazz" is one of my favorite movies, and I have watched several documentaries about Bob Fosse. He was a genius, and his choreography is unmistakeable.
I work with a woman who is a dancer and we could talk for hours about Fosse's work, alas, we have to work. ,
After the recent death of Gene Hackman I watched "The French Connection" again. It's hard to imagine his partner Roy Scheider as Fosse, but in a few years, it happened.
I could keep going, but the cattle call scene of the stage filled with dancers alone is just brilliant film making. And the death scene with Ben Vereen ("And great humanitarian"), all singing, all dancing, was a treat.
Pardon me while I have a quiet moment for the beautiful Ann Reinking - she was stunning!
Hi Local Wood Worker,
Thanks for reading my post! I agree with everything you said - and, as you can probably tell, "All That Jazz" is one of my all-time favorite movies too. It's just sad that Fosse wasn't able to make more movies. Sometimes I fantasize what his version of "Chicago" would have been like as a film. Sadly, we'll never know.
Right out of deeply personal experience, no filters. They have patches where they’re so raw and brutally honest that they’re chilling. Mixed with a real entertainer’s instincts.
The last time I saw ALL THAT JAZZ, it left me speechless. And so did Roy Scheider in it.
I re-watch "All That Jazz" all the time and every time I do I see something new in the film I didn't notice before. And yes, Roy Scheider's performance in it continues to amaze me too. Thanks again for taking the time to read my post!
Thinking too much about who won the Oscar will drive you crazy. Roberto Benigni in LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL over Nick Nolte in AFFLICTION? Kevin Spacey in AMERICAN BEAUTY the year of Sean Penn in SWEET AND LOWDOWN and Richard Farnsworth in THE STRAIGHT STORY? …
Bob Fosse was absolutely unique. He came out of dance and you can feel it in every moment of his films, musical and non-musical. His films come from a very different place
Hi Kent,
Thanks for reading my post! I agree that Bob Fosse was a very unique film director. I wish he had made more films during his all too brief life (although I can't watch "Star 80" because it's so brutally devastating for me).
One of the greatest performances on film by an actor.
I agree - thanks for reading!
Enjoyed the read very much, Jim.
Thanks, David! You just made my day :)
Just “rewatched” the film, and honestly couldn’t recall most of it. Now I’m thinking I might only have recollected scenes , trailers or the buzz related to the movie when it premiered :) But I agree you with you 100%. Great performance, film & review. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Thanks for sending me back!
Hi Rob,
Thanks for reading my post! I agree we need more movies today like "All That Jazz." And, yes, you're right - sadly, they don't make this kind of film anymore. I think the 1970s was really the last great era of Hollywood film.