“DON’T RUSH TO FAME”
Starring: Asher Book, Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton, Kay Panabaker, Kherington Payne, Collins Pennié, Walter Perez and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, with Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth.
Directed by: Kevin Tancharoen
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material including teen drinking, a sexual situation and language.
Genre: Drama, Musical/Performing Arts, Remake and Teen
Release Date: 2009
By John Delia
When it comes to musicals it’s the thrill of watching an interesting character in a dramatic or comedic role burst into song or dance that makes the magic. Although the remake of Fame does have some very good musical numbers, it fails to provide the exciting characters that carry out the story. With the exception of a couple of roles, I found the cast to be fair at best. Teens however, to whom the film is targeted, may get some excitement from a couple of the upbeat modern day tuneful arrangements.
The central plot of the film centers on at least one character from each of the arts at a prestigious performing arts high school in New York City. We are asked to follow each of the roles as they progress from incoming freshmen to their graduation. Along the way we get invited to the challenges of being in the school and the rewards gained from their efforts.
The trailer does most of the work that will probably get every teen and tween into theatre seats. Exciting and explosive, the moviemakers go right for the throat when it comes to marketing the film. BUT, the movie itself drags, its very disorganized, hurried and lacks personal character build-up that made the original Fame an Oscar winning movie.
Characters are introduced and left stranded, popping into the movie as either eye candy or medium support. I was left out in the cold with the development of characters like Neil (Iacano) who wanted to be a filmmaker, but his story gets literally brushed aside. And then there was Alice (Payne) one of the most talented and gorgeous dancers I have seen on the screen being pushed into dance scenes with others that had less than an ounce of her ability.
The biggest tragedy of all came with the miscasting or misdirecting of Kay Panabaker as Jenny one of the central figures. Here she plays a young girl that has a desire to be an actress but is embarrassed to show her talent. In a performing arts school each student has to audition in order to become a member of the freshman class. Panabaker ‘s performance in the film is lifeless at best, not even worthy of a selection into the class. In her sophomore and junior years Penabaker shows no improvement in Jenny’s acting ability and the actor delivers a pitiful casting couch scene that’s laughable.
It’s easy to blame the director on this one because he doesn’t hold the movie together. It’s so disjointed and delivers no compassion from the characters
except the two brilliant performances by Kherington Payne as mentioned earlier and Naturi Naughton who brings down the house with the voice of a diva. Naughton’s Denise enters the school as a promising piano player who has deep seeded desires to become a singer. She lives with a domineering father that wants her to be a classic piano player. But, her dream finally becomes a realization when she joins a musical combo that puts her on a fast track to singing stardom.
And, as far as having stringent instructors in a performing arts environment, Neuwirth, Grammer and Mullally could not make me a believer. All three came across as friends to the students rather than their teachers.
The movie Fame contains teen drinking, a sexual situation and language so as a parent reading this you may want to sit this one out after you drop some advice on your children who just must see it.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â The only fame here will come with the box-office receipts. (2 OF 5 Palm Trees)