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The Band Wagon follows Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire), an aging musical star just going through the motions of what seems to be the end of his career. However, when the opportunity of a comeback comes up in the hands and pen of his two best friends, he's enthusiastic about it. Unfortunately, the upcoming musical is obliviously taken over by the director who wants to turn it into an overblown and pretentious adaptation of Faust.
I've seen a handful of Vincente Minnelli's musical and films and I've enjoyed them all, so I was looking forward to this one. For the most part, it delivered. Astaire is great in the lead role offering equal doses of self-deprecating humor and charm, which is needed to make his relationship with Cyd Charisse, who is 20+ years younger, work and feel organic.
For the first half of the film, I was fully on board. Most of the musical numbers were truly memorable; especially the "Shine on Your Shoes" number and the iconic "That's Entertainment". There is a certain fluidity to these two that makes it all look so effortless. Big part of that goes to Astaire, but a good part also goes to Minnelli's wonderful camera movement.
Unfortunately, I felt the film went perhaps a bit too long. Once the "Faust" musical is done and our stars prepare for what's next, it started dragging a bit. It did recover in the last part, with a noir-inspired song/dance sequence that is both cool and inventive. I think I would still put this below most of the other Minnelli musicals I've seen, but it's still a fun watch, and an opportunity to see Astaire, the grand old man of the dance!
Grade:
THE BAND WAGON
(1953, Minnelli)
A film from Vincente Minnelli
(1953, Minnelli)
A film from Vincente Minnelli
"Step right this way, ladies and gentlemen, Egyptian mummies, extinct reptiles, and Tony Hunter, the grand old man of the dance!"
The Band Wagon follows Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire), an aging musical star just going through the motions of what seems to be the end of his career. However, when the opportunity of a comeback comes up in the hands and pen of his two best friends, he's enthusiastic about it. Unfortunately, the upcoming musical is obliviously taken over by the director who wants to turn it into an overblown and pretentious adaptation of Faust.
I've seen a handful of Vincente Minnelli's musical and films and I've enjoyed them all, so I was looking forward to this one. For the most part, it delivered. Astaire is great in the lead role offering equal doses of self-deprecating humor and charm, which is needed to make his relationship with Cyd Charisse, who is 20+ years younger, work and feel organic.
For the first half of the film, I was fully on board. Most of the musical numbers were truly memorable; especially the "Shine on Your Shoes" number and the iconic "That's Entertainment". There is a certain fluidity to these two that makes it all look so effortless. Big part of that goes to Astaire, but a good part also goes to Minnelli's wonderful camera movement.
Unfortunately, I felt the film went perhaps a bit too long. Once the "Faust" musical is done and our stars prepare for what's next, it started dragging a bit. It did recover in the last part, with a noir-inspired song/dance sequence that is both cool and inventive. I think I would still put this below most of the other Minnelli musicals I've seen, but it's still a fun watch, and an opportunity to see Astaire, the grand old man of the dance!
Grade: