One place, many lives
In the movies, a remake can spawn disaster, or dismal disappointment. This, however, is not a rule.
Back about three decades ago, I joined some friends for an evening at the Confederation Centre Theatre.
A memorable evening, for those of us in the posh seats, because the main stage production was a movie, projected on a huge white screen. I’m not sure that I ever saw another projection in that hallowed hall, but I remember this one. Fame.
For anyone that has suffered the slings and arrows of life in a music or performing arts faculty, this film had to grab you where you were sensitive. A tribute, albeit stylized, to anyone who has had too much hubris, or too little. The original went on to inspire six seasons of TV (still showing on a channel near me). My children laugh at the idea of spontaneous artistic combustion, but it could happen.
Tonight, I opted for a more intimate salle, to watch the new version of Fame. I’m still happy.
The remake isn’t really. Rather, the director has used a place to instill a sense of story. Different characters this time. Different examples of the stress that comes from revealing something of your soul in school. No “raise your hand and answer the math question” for these students; their life is wrapped and delivered in music.
Not quite thirty years. The school hasn’t aged a bit. Neither has the philosophy. I’m going to treat these two movies as bookends. In between, I’m not sure what titles would be appropriate.
