An Updated Version of the 1980s Musical

“Fame” is the remake of the 1980’s Academy Award-Winning film about teens and their work at the Performing Arts High School in New York. It has a young director at the helm, Kevin Tancharoen (age 24) who has a musical and dance background.  The film has its problems with character development, but as an advocate for more family-friendly films, this one hits the mark in my book. 

Before the screening, two dance troupes from Chicago gave a lively toe-tapping performance and set the tone for the evening. It was also interesting to view the film with High School kids who are so passionate about dance and to take note of their reactions to the film. They were not a quiet group and reacted plenty to many of the scenes. One scene that is a show stopper is the solo that is sung by  a young Jennifer Hudson look alike named Naturi Naughton. She belted out an amazing song and at the conclusion, those dance teens erupted into a roaring applause.  As the credits were rolling, all were chatting excitedly about the film. I overheard many kids stating that they loved it! I enjoyed the positive, realistic role models the characters portrayed.  

“Fame” was most definitely made for a targeted audience and that comes through loud and clear. “High School Musical” is also rated PG although the story lines are fantasy. “Fame” is about the hard work and determination needed to succeed in the exclusive School of Performing Arts. As Debi Allen, who plays the principal states, “It also covers side stories of the kids and their problems.” Unfortunately, the stories aren’t developed enough. Kay Panabaker plays Jenny in the film and she is a very talented young actress from Naperville, Illinois. The problem is that the film doesn’t showcase her talent; in fact you’ll find yourself wondering why she even made it into the school. Her scenes focus on her nervousness and self doubt. We also know nothing of her family life except that she has a dad.

One character that is developed is Naturi Naughton, as Denise, and she is exciting to watch. Her scenes begin with a teaching session on classical piano. Her teacher is played by Kesley Grammer. Denise is a gifted pianist and also a gifted singer. The problem lies with her strict parents and their desires for her future.   She does change throughout the film as she finally has the courage to stand up to them as she dabbles in Hip Hop music against their wishes. 

Other students include; Ashler Book, as Marco (he plays a singer), Kristy Flores, as Rosie (she plays a dancer and actress), Paul MecGill, as Kevin (he plays a dancer), Kherington Payne, as Alice (she plays a dancer), Collins Pennie, as Malik (he plays an actor and a rapper), Walter Perez, as Victor (he plays a musician and composer ), Anna Maria Perez De Tangle,  as Joy (actress) and Paul Iacono, as Neil ( a director and filmmaker). Each of these students were great onscreen and a joy to watch— all were enthusiastic and had onscreen charisma. 

The instructors at the school include Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth. All of these actors did a fine job, but I found myself linking Neuwirth and Grammer together as they played husband and wife on the hit TV show ‘Frasier.’ I simply couldn’t get Neuwirth’s Judith out of my head and it was distracting. I believe this was an error in casting. Nothing should take away from the spotlight of the students in this film.

Mullally has a great role. We know her from the hit TV show ‘Will and Grace’ and she has the opportunity in the film to showcase her singing talents as she performs an over-the-top karaoke number as her students watch in disbelief. The song is a rendition of the Rodgers and Hart song “You Took Advantage of Me” and is it ever an amazing standing ovation performance!

The director Kevin Tancharoen has a background of dance himself. “I was the one with a number on my chest waiting to find out if I made the cut or not,” he stated in the production notes. He also has experience in choreography. Certainly the director sets the tone of the film and, to me, Tancharoen gave us a PG rated High School film that displays kids working hard to achieve goals while struggling with modern everyday life. I appreciated this as more age- appropriate viewers will see this film. The dancing and singing is superb and I predict an Academy Award nomination for a couple of the songs.

Fame is entertaining and presents that ever needed positive role models for our kids!

*Alumni from the real Performing Arts School in New York include:
Jennifer Anniston, Ellen Barkin, Adrienn Brody, Dom DeLuise, Eartha Kitt, Liza Minnelli, Al Pacino,Leslie Ann Warren and Billy Dee Williams

Sarah Adamson © 2009