Fame (2009)

Directed by: Kevin Tancharoen | 106 minutes | comedy, drama, musical, romance | Actors: Kay Panabaker, Naturi Naughton, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Bebe Neuwirth, Charles S. Dutton, Kherington Payne, Debbie Allen, Walter Perez, Paul McGill, Paul Iacono, Asher Book, Collins Pennie, Johanna Braddy, Cody Longo, Tiffany Espensen, Ashley Galvan, Tim Jo, Peter Mackenzie, Michael Hyatt, Malerie Grady, Kristy Flores, Colleen Craig, Dominique Kelley, Robert Miles, Micheal Eric Reid, Stephanie Mace, Earl Carroll, Ryan Surratt, Eli Myers Bree Elise, Howard Gutman, Gavin Turek, Wyatt Gray, Paul Peglar, Scott J. Wood, Ilisa Juried

Almost thirty years after the successful original, ‘Fame’ has been given a new, modern look. Not a remake, but a true reinvention! Also in this version we follow some talented musicians, actors and dancers in their pursuit of eternal fame. They have all been admitted to the High School for Performing Arts in New York, where ‘good’ just isn’t good enough. It is hard work and they are also confronted hard with themselves. Who are you? What do you want to achieve? And are you willing to do anything for that?

The film starts with the auditions, where the lesser gods also get their moment as we know from programs like “Idols” and “So You Think You Can Dance”. So entertainment. After the selection is completed, the lucky few start their education and the talents also find each other. In love, such as between aspiring actress Jenny (Kay Panabaker) and the talented singer Marco (Asher Book). But certainly in an artistic sense, such as during the cafeteria jam (a homage to the hot lunch song from the 1980 original) and the collaboration that develops between actor/rapper Malik (Collins Pennie), composer Victor (Walter Perez) and the ridiculous singing well – but accepted because of her piano talent – ​​Denise (Naturi Naughton, known from the former girl group 3LW). As the years go by, the young people also increasingly realize that fame is only reserved for the few. No matter how good you are. Succeeding in this hard school is one thing, but making it in the world out there is even more difficult. Failure, disappointments and hard confrontations are part of it. But ‘Fame’ carries the well-known message: dare to dream.

In order to breathe new life into the Fame concept, the help of director Kevin Tancharoen, who previously worked on clips for Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, among others, has a dance and choreography background. A bull’s eye, as it turned out. ‘Fame’ has definitely become a film of our time, with tight music (also a lot of original work in a new jacket, such as the title song by Irene Cara), cool dance moves and modern, fast camera work. So the bar was set high. In recent years, many successful dance films have been reviewed, such as ‘Save the Last Dance’ (2001) and ‘Step Up’ (2006). The viewer is therefore no longer so quick to get lyrical about what he sees. ‘Fame’ manages to do that anyway. Also because it focuses not purely on a single main character trying to make it in the dance world, but on multiple talents in a variety of disciplines. The combination of singing, dancing and catchy beats ensures that you can hardly sit still. Not to mention the energetic atmosphere that sucks you into the pleasure of the talents.

It doesn’t even matter that the storylines of the talents are not all equally profound and the acting is certainly not always brilliant. For example, Kherington Payne (former winner of the American “So You Think You Can Dance”) is clearly not an actress, but more than makes up for that with her phenomenal dance scenes. And that’s what ‘Fame’ is all about: fun, music, dance. That’s how it was with the 1980 version and that’s how it is now. Made in a completely different era and without the intention to copy the original version. The older, original fans will have to make that switch to appreciate this fresh, modern version. For today’s youth, ‘Fame’ means getting acquainted with an old concept; compelling, overwhelming and one big party. See!