Episodes in the luckless-romance department of a modern-day dancehall cutie in New York City, who seems to date nothing but losers. She chances to meet a handsome Italian movie star--who treats her like Queen For a Minute--and then finds herself stuck in an elevator with a nervous bachelor...but how can she tell him she's in "the rent-a-body business"? Making his debut as director, choreographer Bob Fosse took a distinctive and dynamic sense of style with him when he passed, and musical comedy has never been the same! This adaptation of the 1966 Broadway hit (originally adapted to the stage by Neil Simon by way of Federico Fellini's film "Le Notti di Cabiria" from 1957) is top-heavy with its creampuff story, but there are bits of Fellini's garish style evident in Fosse's handling (particularly at the finale, which mirrors the '57 film). Shirley MacLaine does a fine job as the dancehall hostess (and sometime-prostitute, though this is only alluded to) whose rare shot at happiness might be destroyed by her sordid surroundings. Her boundless enthusiasm--and Fosse's flashy presentation--carries the picture a long way to the iffy finish line. The narrative boxes Charity in at the last gate, and her predicament with her straight-arrow suitor isn't worked out satisfyingly (there's an alternate ending, and it's even worse). John McMartin tries hard in a hopeless role: he's decent at times and noble, he's touchingly square, but then his character becomes a spineless weasel (it's a sour turn of events). The ladies are all terrific, and the splashy production numbers never halt the story: they're the movie's greatest asset. Three Oscar nominations, including for Cy Coleman's sparkling score. *** from ****
Review of Sweet Charity
