All That Jazz

All That Jazz (1979)
Director: Bob Fosse
Cast: Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Ann Reinking, Cliff Gorman, Ben Vereen
Memorable Line: "It's showtime folks!"

This is Bob Fosse's quasi-autobiographical movie detailing his single-minded dedication to his work and his considerable character flaws. Joe Giddeon (Scheider) is Fosse incarnate in the movie, a Broadway choreographer turned director of stage and screen who runs on nicotine, caffeine and uppers. He's incredibly talented, but incredibly damaged, womanizing any chance he gets and neglecting the few women he does care about. His real dance is one with death. Jessica Lange portrays a death figure named Angelique that Gideon bargains without throughout the film, playfully negotiating for more time as he burns the candle at both ends.

Fosse is an overlooked director of considerable talent, a craftsman who's attention to detail is amazing, from the choreography, to the cinematography, everything is spot on. The editing in this movie is considerably note worth.

As far as the cast goes, this is Sheider's show and he carries the role off amazingly well. The supporting cast is solid, but unspectacular. Lange is captivating as Angelique, Ben Vereen pulls of the host of Gideon's death fantasy with lots of charisma and charm, and Gorman slyly portrays an actor who was working with Gideon on a biopic of of a famous comedian (Lenny Bruce).

Many will say that "Cabaret" is Fosse's best work and it may very well be, but this my favorite Fosse film.