A Chorus Line (film)

A Chorus Line (film) is a 1985 American musical drama film directed by Richard Attenborough and produced by Cy Feuer, based on the 1975 Broadway musical of the same name created by Michael Bennett, Nicholas Dante, James Kirkwood Jr., Marvin Hamlisch, and Edward Kleban. The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Audrey Landers, Terrence Mann, and Shelby Brammer, and showcases the iconic music of Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban. With its unique blend of dance, music, and theater, the film brings to life the stories of Broadway dancers competing for a spot in a prestigious choreographer's new show, including the works of Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins. The film's production involved collaboration with renowned choreographers such as Michael Bennett and Bob Avian.

Production

The production of the film involved a team of experienced professionals, including director Richard Attenborough, producer Cy Feuer, and writer Arnold Schulman, who worked together to bring the Broadway musical to the big screen. The film was shot on location in New York City and featured a range of iconic Broadway landmarks, including the Gershwin Theatre and the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. The production team also worked with choreographers such as Michael Bennett and Bob Avian to recreate the iconic dance numbers from the original Broadway production, which were influenced by the works of George Balanchine and Agnes de Mille. The film's cinematography was handled by Ronnie Taylor, who had previously worked on films such as Gandhi and Superman II, and had collaborated with directors like Richard Donner and John Schlesinger.

Plot

The plot of the film follows a group of dancers competing for a spot in a prestigious choreographer's new show, including Zach, the demanding choreographer played by Terrence Mann, who had previously worked with directors like Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett. The film explores the personal stories and struggles of the dancers, including Cassie, played by Alyson Reed, who had previously performed in Broadway productions such as Chicago and A Chorus Line, and Sheila, played by Pam Klinger, who had worked with choreographers like Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor. As the audition process progresses, the dancers are put through a series of challenging dance routines and interviews, which were inspired by the works of Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. The film's plot is a powerful exploration of the theater world and the sacrifices that performers must make to succeed, including the experiences of actors like Laurence Olivier and Marlon Brando.

Cast

The cast of the film includes a talented ensemble of actors and dancers, including Audrey Landers as Val, Terrence Mann as Zach, and Shelby Brammer as Tricia, who had previously worked with directors like Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese. The cast also features Nicole Fosse, daughter of Bob Fosse, as Kristine, and Pam Klinger as Sheila, who had previously performed in Broadway productions such as Cats and Les Misérables. The film's cast brings to life the characters and stories of the original Broadway musical, which was created by Michael Bennett and Nicholas Dante, and had been influenced by the works of Jerome Robbins and Leonard Bernstein.

Music

The music of the film features the iconic songs from the original Broadway musical, including Marvin Hamlisch's What I Did for Love and Edward Kleban's One, which were influenced by the works of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. The film's soundtrack also includes performances by the cast, including Audrey Landers and Terrence Mann, who had previously worked with composers like John Kander and Fred Ebb. The music of the film is a key element of its success, and helps to bring the stories and characters to life, including the experiences of musicians like Bernard Herrmann and John Williams.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics, including Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, who praised the film's music and dance numbers, but criticized its plot and character development, comparing it to other musicals like Chicago and Cabaret. Despite this, the film has developed a loyal following over the years, and is still widely regarded as a classic of the musical genre, alongside films like West Side Story and The Sound of Music. The film's legacy can be seen in the work of directors like Rob Marshall and Adam Shankman, who have gone on to create successful musicals like Chicago and Hairspray, and had collaborated with choreographers like Kathleen Marshall and Anne Reinking.

Release

The film was released in 1985 and was distributed by Columbia Pictures and Embassy Pictures, which had previously released films like Gandhi and Tootsie. The film was released on DVD in 2003, and has since been re-released on Blu-ray and other digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. The film's release was accompanied by a range of promotional materials, including posters and trailers, which featured the film's iconic dance numbers and music, and had been designed by artists like Saul Bass and Richard Amsel. The film's marketing campaign was handled by publicists like Warren Cowan and Ronni Chasen, who had previously worked on films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Ghostbusters.