There have been plenty of films about dancing and the worst seem to be about dance contests, but here is the anti-"dance contest movie". Apparently the USSR would show this film in schools as anti-capitalist propaganda. And thats what it was meant as. Its a very pessimistic, brutally honest study of the shady human nature inherent in exploitation. It uses the early days of Hollywood as a backdrop for the story's angry frustration and tears. Its a feminist story mostly. How women, youth, patriotism, blacks, the working class and anyone who believes the American Dream is pimped and gutted by the lawless governing system of money-driven entertainment. The protagonists are literally teased with hopes of success and artistic expression to become consumable meat puppets for the local bourgeoisie.
I can't recommend this any more without giving away important plot details and spoiling things. This is a great film from Sydney Pollack based on a Great Gatsby-esque novel and Jane Fonda kills it acting-wise. Keep in mind that this perfectly reflected the countercultural mood in post-Vietnam, anti-hippie America. Its just as bleak as Bonnie and Clyde or Easy Rider but with a bitter, ironic Old Hollywood style. Brilliant stuff.
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