Bob Fosse: It's Showtime!

source: Bob Fosse: It's Showtime!

I'm gonna have to play the devil's advocate here for countless and somewhat obvious reasons. I'm taking into consideration the majority of viewers of this documentary are quite experienced in the life and work of Bob Fosse, so I can totally understand people's opposition in endorsing this film. I know plenty of things as well and even so I enjoyed it even though I did find many objectionable things about it, many annoying things as well, but it wasn't a total disaster. It's a little enjoyable. However, I'm not judging its merit based on just me, myself and I, so I'm thinking about possible future viewers of this project if curious in knowing the important legacy of film director, choreographer and dancer Bob Fosse ("Cabaret", "All That Jazz"). Beginners in knowing anything about him, his craft and talent will find it here a quite informative piece but bear in mind that there's plenty of better things out there, including the miniseries "Fosse/Verdon". As for Fosse's huge fans this is very erratic, annoying, doesn't have the points of view from people who knew him or even a huge name from show business or some veteran film critic to talk about his work. Instead, we have a group of unknown talking heads, the majority being British dancers who know plenty of his choreographies and trademarks, but as for knowing the man they make many assumptions and conjectures about the real Fosse simply because they watched his autobiographical masterpiece "All That Jazz" countless times. None of the interviewed folks knew the man, neither worked with him and they're only famous in their own circle, largely unknown to most audiences, and worst: almost nothing they share is interesting of hearing. I prefer the narrator showing Fosse's career evolution rather than listening to dancers talking about style then rehearsing dance moves as the man created. I was bored during those moments, and felt more hurt when one of the critics trashed "Star 80" - Fosse's final film and a very dark story unlike any of his colorful works. This documentary is supposed to be a celebration of Fosse's work, so he should keep those negative thoughts to himself. I'm also critical of those people in being critical of Rob Marshall's "Chicago", originated from Bob's Broadway play and firmly believing that had Fosse directed he would make a far superior work. Perhaps, but let's not forget that many original authors when translating their works to different versions of arts can also destroy their creation and not make a better work. Anyway, for a summary style of documentary this was manageable and quite enjoyable, specially seeing the clips from his choreographies and movies. But we all missed some interviews with him and the people who knew the man in detail. I won't recommend it to his fans, but I can suggest to new admirers because you'll learn a little about Fosse's importance in show business. 6/10.

I adore Bob Fosse, a genius whose style is unique and timeless. So I sat down to watch this with the hope of watching a bio about the man and instead we have people like Louse Redknapp, a pop singer who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, Will Young, who I believe has theatre experience, but, is best know for being the first winner of Pop Idol and Jason Solomons, who is a rent a gob film reviewer and go to interviewee for entertainment. I think I know more about Bob Fosse than the three of them combined. It was a terrible 'documentary' an insult to Bob and all he achieved. Please don't waste your time, go to YouTube and watch videos of the man himself and of his choreography, better still, go watch his work from 'My Sister Eileen', the dancing duel with Tommy Rall is a delight, 'Kiss Me Kate' again he and Tommy Rall are wonderful and all the movies he choreographed and directed. 'Cabaret' is fantastic, years ahead of it's time and the performances he got from the actors are outstanding. Enough of these documentaries that are more about the people saying stuff than the subject matter themselves. Awful.

I agree with the other reviewers === all three of them ! I was hoping for clips and more clips and instead had to watch a bunch of people I did not know or care about talking talking talking about Bob Fosse and some choreographer going on about how she teaches her dancers. Disappointing documentary that had greater potential. Rather interesting when they actually showed what they were talking talking talking about but there should have been more of that.

The great thing about this documentary is seeing some of the archival footage. But then the commentators start commenting and I wondered, who the hell are these people? The first few people aren't even dancers! Just people with opinions. Why do I care about what these people think? Why should their perspectives matter to me? Then you see two choreographers and group of dancers talking and suddenly it's no longer about Bob Fosse but about what these dancers think. Well, ok, that's nice but why do I care?? Very frustrating. I gave up on it.

Having recently read the massive Bob Fosse biography, I was really looking forward to this doc. But it's disappointingly shallow and lacks the depth/breadth Fosse deserves. Also unfortunate is that the talking heads commenting on Fosse's life and career are Brits, most of whom are unknown to American audiences. I wish somebody else had made the film.

What is the purpose of this film? Looking at the credits there was no one associated with Fosse. Who cares about these people's opinions of something that seems so remote to them? The British do a lot of things well, but why are they attempting to analyze a truly American choreographer when there are many people who have worked directly with Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, who know the real facts? The commentators kept saying "I think" and then make a general comment about Fosse not based on any fact. This is crazy.

I'm gonna have to play the devil's advocate here for countless and somewhat obvious reasons. I'm taking into consideration the majority of viewers of this documentary are quite experienced in the life and work of Bob Fosse, so I can totally understand people's opposition in endorsing this film. I know plenty of things as well and even so I enjoyed it even though I did find many objectionable things about it, many annoying things as well, but it wasn't a total disaster. It's a little enjoyable. However, I'm not judging its merit based on just me, myself and I, so I'm thinking about possible future viewers of this project if curious in knowing the important legacy of film director, choreographer and dancer Bob Fosse ("Cabaret", "All That Jazz"). Beginners in knowing anything about him, his craft and talent will find it here a quite informative piece but bear in mind that there's plenty of better things out there, including the miniseries "Fosse/Verdon". As for Fosse's huge fans this is very erratic, annoying, doesn't have the points of view from people who knew him or even a huge name from show business or some veteran film critic to talk about his work. Instead, we have a group of unknown talking heads, the majority being British dancers who know plenty of his choreographies and trademarks, but as for knowing the man they make many assumptions and conjectures about the real Fosse simply because they watched his autobiographical masterpiece "All That Jazz" countless times. None of the interviewed folks knew the man, neither worked with him and they're only famous in their own circle, largely unknown to most audiences, and worst: almost nothing they share is interesting of hearing. I prefer the narrator showing Fosse's career evolution rather than listening to dancers talking about style then rehearsing dance moves as the man created. I was bored during those moments, and felt more hurt when one of the critics trashed "Star 80" - Fosse's final film and a very dark story unlike any of his colorful works. This documentary is supposed to be a celebration of Fosse's work, so he should keep those negative thoughts to himself. I'm also critical of those people in being critical of Rob Marshall's "Chicago", originated from Bob's Broadway play and firmly believing that had Fosse directed he would make a far superior work. Perhaps, but let's not forget that many original authors when translating their works to different versions of arts can also destroy their creation and not make a better work. Anyway, for a summary style of documentary this was manageable and quite enjoyable, specially seeing the clips from his choreographies and movies. But we all missed some interviews with him and the people who knew the man in detail. I won't recommend it to his fans, but I can suggest to new admirers because you'll learn a little about Fosse's importance in show business. 6/10.

I adore Bob Fosse, a genius whose style is unique and timeless. So I sat down to watch this with the hope of watching a bio about the man and instead we have people like Louse Redknapp, a pop singer who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, Will Young, who I believe has theatre experience, but, is best know for being the first winner of Pop Idol and Jason Solomons, who is a rent a gob film reviewer and go to interviewee for entertainment. I think I know more about Bob Fosse than the three of them combined. It was a terrible 'documentary' an insult to Bob and all he achieved. Please don't waste your time, go to YouTube and watch videos of the man himself and of his choreography, better still, go watch his work from 'My Sister Eileen', the dancing duel with Tommy Rall is a delight, 'Kiss Me Kate' again he and Tommy Rall are wonderful and all the movies he choreographed and directed. 'Cabaret' is fantastic, years ahead of it's time and the performances he got from the actors are outstanding. Enough of these documentaries that are more about the people saying stuff than the subject matter themselves. Awful.