Set during the rise of Nazi Germany, in a dimly lit, adult club oozing decadence and sex, CABARET is one of the darkest musicals to ever find success with audiences.
Joel Grey is the Master of Ceremonies, painted like an evil clown and luring us and the audience into the temptations inside the Kit Kat Klub.
Director Bob Fosse brings his own unique style to the film and the dance, shattering every concept of a traditional "feel good" musical as the dark cloud of Nazi oppression swallows up Germany.
Liza Minelli is American singer Sally Bowles, falling in love with her new roommate Brian (Michael York) and a rich Baron Maximillian (Helmut Griem).
Marisa Berenson (Barry Lyndon) is a wealthy socialite discovering her Jewish heritage is becoming a terrifying liability.
For a musical, there are less songs than you'd expect, with most of the story taking place outside the club. This isn't a "people breaking into song for no reason" musical, all the songs take place in the club, expanding on the story.
York (Logan's Run) is terrific as a very sheltered and shy Cambridge student struggling with his sexuality and Minnelli is over-the-top as Sally until you see her world start to fall apart and you realize that its all a facade.
"Money" was added for the film by Kander & Ebb and its just as strong as the rest of the songs.
CABARET won Best Actress (Minnelli), Best Supporting Actor (Grey), Best Director (Fosse), Best Cinematography (Geoffrey Unsworth) and four other Oscars in 1972, thirty year before Kander & Ebb would strike movie gold again with the film adaption of "Chicago".
Part drama, part WW2 film, part musical, CABARET welcomes you to very slimy nightclub and a very twisted stage show focused on the darkest sides of human nature.
If you're looking for happy, you better go next door.
If you like twisted, bievenue, Welcome....
CABARET gets a B.
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