"Xanadu" (1980 release; 95 min.) brings the story Sonny and Kira. As the movie opens, Sonny is seen as a struggling painter. He tears up his latest bad painting and tosses it out the window, where the wind carries it over a mural depicting the Muses of Olympia. Magically, the muses come to life (as ELO's "I'm Alive" blasts away), and it's not long before Kira encounters Sonny in a nearby park, kisses him, and then leaves him. "Hey, you, wait a minute!", yells Sonny as he chases her... At this point we are less than 10 min. into to movie.
Couple of comments: I saw "Xanadu" upon its release in 1980, when I was 20 years old. Let's be clear: the movie is a super-cheesy attempt to recreate a musical from Hollywood's golden era in the 40s or 50s. For good measure, Gene Kelly gets a major role (his last role ever) to provide some credibility. "Xanadu", coming on the heels of the global mega-success of "Grease" was intended to launch Olivia Newton John as someone who can carry a movie on her own. She was 32 when this came out, and at the peak of her music super-stardom. Alas, the script is very weak and light as a feather. Not to mention that Michael Beck is just plain miscast in the role of Sonny. I guess that production mega-budget of $20 million (a stunning $65 million in today's dollars) simply didn't allow for a better script or actor. All that aside, I quite enjoyed the movie, in particular for its stellar music, half of which was written by John Farr (performed by Olivia) and the other half courtesy of Jeff Lynn (performed by Electric Light Orchestra). It all culminates in the sublime title track (performed jointly by Olivia and ELO). I love how many of the songs actually advance the movie's story line (check: "I'm Alive", "Suspended In Time", etc.). Come for the cheesy fantasy, stay for the stellar music.
Widely panned upon its original release (and a commercial flop), the movie has steadily gained traction in the subsequent decades, culminating in a delightful Broadway adaptation in 2007 (I saw it in 2008, and LOVED it). I don't know when was the last time I saw the movie, I'm guessing at least 15-20 years, and I stumbled upon it on Showtime this past weekend. I just had to watch it again! I found myself humming along all of the music, which I've known by heart for years and years. "Xanadu" will be FORTY years old next year, and like a good wine, is ageing very nicely.
Couple of comments: I saw "Xanadu" upon its release in 1980, when I was 20 years old. Let's be clear: the movie is a super-cheesy attempt to recreate a musical from Hollywood's golden era in the 40s or 50s. For good measure, Gene Kelly gets a major role (his last role ever) to provide some credibility. "Xanadu", coming on the heels of the global mega-success of "Grease" was intended to launch Olivia Newton John as someone who can carry a movie on her own. She was 32 when this came out, and at the peak of her music super-stardom. Alas, the script is very weak and light as a feather. Not to mention that Michael Beck is just plain miscast in the role of Sonny. I guess that production mega-budget of $20 million (a stunning $65 million in today's dollars) simply didn't allow for a better script or actor. All that aside, I quite enjoyed the movie, in particular for its stellar music, half of which was written by John Farr (performed by Olivia) and the other half courtesy of Jeff Lynn (performed by Electric Light Orchestra). It all culminates in the sublime title track (performed jointly by Olivia and ELO). I love how many of the songs actually advance the movie's story line (check: "I'm Alive", "Suspended In Time", etc.). Come for the cheesy fantasy, stay for the stellar music.
Widely panned upon its original release (and a commercial flop), the movie has steadily gained traction in the subsequent decades, culminating in a delightful Broadway adaptation in 2007 (I saw it in 2008, and LOVED it). I don't know when was the last time I saw the movie, I'm guessing at least 15-20 years, and I stumbled upon it on Showtime this past weekend. I just had to watch it again! I found myself humming along all of the music, which I've known by heart for years and years. "Xanadu" will be FORTY years old next year, and like a good wine, is ageing very nicely.