Grease-1978
Director Randal Kleiser
Starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John
Top 100 Films #70
Scott’s Review #354
Reviewed January 9, 2016
Grade: A
Grease (1978) is the ultimate musical fantasy that comes to life and can be appreciated by anyone looking to re-live their high school days through song, or merely escape life’s stresses with a fun, bright, musical, that is very well made.
Is it realistic? Not, but sometimes escapism is just what the doctor ordered, and Grease is one of my favorite films that meet that criteria.
It is light-hearted and sweet, and above all contains wonderful legendary musical numbers.
The time is the 1950s, and we meet Danny and Sandy on a windswept beach with cascading waves and bright sunshine. It is summer break for the two high school students, who meet in California, she vacationing from Australia, and he is a local boy.
They say their goodbyes and return to normal lives, but cannot forget about each other.
Suddenly, Sandy arrives at Rydell High in Los Angeles, coincidentally where Danny goes to school. Her parents (whom we never see) decided to stay in California.
Danny is a “tough guy” in high school, much different from who he was on the beach with Sandy. He is the leader of the infamous T-birds, a group of boys who love their black leather jackets and cars.
Torn, he continues his tough image and he and Sandy find their way back to each other through classmates, songs, and dancing, intermingling fun supporting characters who encourage each of them to find true love.
Travolta and Newton-John have magical chemistry, which allows this film to work.
Grease has appeared on stage numerous times, but these actors are fine together. I bought them as teenagers in love, although both were well beyond their teen years.
The supporting cast is excellent- specifically Stockard Channing as the lead Pink Lady, Rizzo, and Sandy’s kind-hearted friend Frenchy.
Interestingly, no parents ever appear in the film as it is not about the adults.
However, Rydell’s female principal, Mrs. McGee (played by Eve Arden), and her dotty Vice Principal, Blanche (Dody Goodman), are simply marvelous as comic relief.
Rizzo is an interesting character and can be argued is the only one who threatens to steal the thunder from Danny and Sandy. Containing a tough exterior, she is also vulnerable as she fears she has become pregnant mid-way through the film.
Unwed and pregnant in the 1950s was quite the scandal and Channing gives layers of emotion during her solo number, “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”.
The wonderful high school dance scene is choreographed amazingly well. The excitement of the student body at being filmed for a special television show is apparent as dance numbers and dance contests, some raunchy, follow.
The musical numbers are intrinsically memorable from “Grease”, “Greased Lightning”, “Hopelessly Devoted To You”, and “Beauty School Dropout”, all of which are personal favorites of mine.
Grease (1978) is a film that is not meant to be analyzed but rather enjoyed for the fantastic chemistry and energy in which it has.
Sometimes in a film, all of the elements simply come together perfectly and Grease is an excellent example of this.
Oscar Nominations: Best Song-“Hopelessly Devoted to You”
