Grease-1978
Director Randal Kleiser
Starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John
Top 250 Films #69
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 meets that criteria.
It is light-hearted and sweet, and above all, it 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 maintains his tough image, and he and Sandy find their way back to each other through classmates, songs, and dancing, intermingling with fun supporting characters who encourage 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 marvelous as comic relief.
Rizzo is an interesting character and can be argued to be 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.
Being unmarried and pregnant in the 1950s was quite the scandal, and Channing conveys 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 “Grease”, “Greased Lightning”, “Hopelessly Devoted To You”, and “Beauty School Dropout” are intrinsically memorable, all of which are personal favorites of mine.
Grease is a film meant not to be analyzed but rather enjoyed for its fantastic chemistry and energy.
Sometimes, in a film, all the elements come together perfectly, and Grease (1978) is an excellent example.
Oscar Nominations: Best Song-“Hopelessly Devoted to You”
