I am a huge fan of Olivia, and of ELO and of Gene Kelly. The production values are night, the musical sequences are wonderful, there are some great songs and the 40s/80s blend really works between Olivia & Gene. But as much as I love Olivia, the 'straight' bits are very weak. It actually improves, but the early scenes are so dreadfully scripted (like scenes from a kids tv show of the era) that the cringe factor is hard to shake off even if you try to 'get into it'.hot off Warriors Michael Beck is sincere but lost, Olivia is brittle but the director knew it, using her to her best advantage in a series of musical sequences where she is unsurprisingly strong. Gene gives us his last turn as a song and dance man with Olivi and it's a lovely scene. Sadly Beck and Olivia don't click at all. Pity Gene was too old to have that part! It looks great and the music is great and wonderfully staged. But even a fan like me looks the other way when the linking scenes are on and the music dies down.
Review of Xanadu
