#63 - Cabaret

Pardon the lack of political correctness, but this is one of the gayest movies I've ever seen. Set in 1931 Berlin, this 1972 movie-musical is loosely based on the musical by Kander and Ebb (the poor man's Rodgers and Hammerstein).

The story, starring Liza Minelli and Michael York, depicts the relationship between American Sally Bowles and Briton Brian Roberts. Sally is a cabaret singer at the local Kit Kat Klub (unfortunate initials, no?), and Brian moves into her apartment complex to complete a study of German culture.

The person who steals the show, however, is Joel Grey, who won the Oscar for his portrayal of The Master of Ceremonies of the nightclub shown throughout the film. Never seen off the stage, I feel like the movie turns to him and one of his zany (and lewd!) performances whenever the plot gets a little boring. He also sets the entire tone of the movie with the perfect opening song, "Wilkommen." Like any good musical number, this has been in my head for days since I watched this movie. Just look at this man. Perfectly campy and perfectly cast.

The main conflict in the movie, however, is the burgeoning relationship between Sally and Brian. Forward and promiscuous, Sally has a personality that is in direct opposition to Brian's reserved and almost celibate way of life. Once Sally finally breaks through Brian's soft shell, she ends up pregnant. But a question of the paternity arises after she has an affair with a baron who had been wooing her for a few days. Sally has the child aborted, and ends up bidding goodbye to Brian and singing a razzle-dazzle song in the club. That's how all abortions end up, right?

But the movie is effective in its depiction of 1930s Germany (I'm guessing). The sound of clarinets blaring through the musical arrangements take you to a faraway place, if you're willing to go there. Is it worth being on this list? I'll give a reluctant "Yes," but say that it should be much, much lower than it is (of what I've seen so far) -- we're talking low-90s territory. The rise of Nazism angle is interesting. And the musical numbers are catchy and funny, I've got to give the movie that, especially my favorite, the last song, the title song of the movie. As gay as it may sound, life really is a cabaret.