“Oh My God, I just kissed Al Pacino!”
- Title: Saturday Night Fever
- Director: John Badham
- Release date: 14th December 1977
Although I love to class myself as a film connoisseur, conversations with friends and family have made me realise that there are a lot of films out there that I have never seen. Famous ones at that! These conversations inspired me to create a new series of posts titled ‘The Greatest Films I Have Never Seen.’ To begin, we shall start with no other than Saturday Night Fever…
Who knew the highlight of my Monday morning would be watching John Travolta styling his quiff with a blow dryer, in the world’s smallest underwear I may add, whilst listening to the sweet sweet sound of ‘Night Fever’ by the Bee Gees.
Saturday Night Fever was the film that flung John Travolta into major stardom and, rightfully so. This dance drama hit follows the life of the smooth Italian-American Tony Manero as he attempts to navigate his young adult life. Trapped by his working-class surrounding, the only place Manero feels at home is on the dancefloor of the 2001 Odyssey, where his dance moves tell a thousand words, and the women begin to flock. Although the film explores much darker intertwining storylines such as rape, mental health and the difficulties faced by working-class families, the main attraction certainly is Manero’s moves on the dancefloor.
Having seen John Travolta’s dancing capabilities in other films such as Grease, I am pleased to say that I have now seen where it all began! Having practised his dance sequences for 3 hours a day, losing 20 pounds in the process, Travolta’s commitment to the role of Tony Manero was certainly worth it. Throughout the entirety of the film, it felt impossible to take my eyes off him. From his strut down the streets of New York in the opening credits to his slick dance moves in that striking white suit, his performance was a pleasure to watch. After much reflection, I cannot believe it took me so long to watch the film that revived the disco era of the 70s, created one of the best-selling soundtracks of all-time and has a mass cult following.
So, if you, like me, have heard about how great of a film Saturday Night Fever is and have still failed to watch it. What are you waiting for?!
And now that I think about it, maybe Tony Manero really does look like Al Pacino…
Tia's Not-So-Secret-Diary 