Staying Alive

Good guilty pleasure!
Staying Alive is definitely not the best movie ever made but one I continually go back to - mainly for the music. The soundtrack was understandably ignored because Saturday Night Fever was such a masterpiece but the new Bee Gees songs are terrific, Frank Stallone's songs are good and Cynthia Rhodes is wonderful as well. I don't understand why she didn't have a bigger career. She's a great dancer and singer. Finola Hughes has some terrific dance scenes too - especially the one in which John Travolta first sees her. I agree with critics that the storyline is not that great and you do wonder what happened to all of Tony's family and friends. But the movie is worth seeing - just not to be taken too seriously. Definately worth buying the soundtrack. Pay special attention to "Moody Girl" - "Life Goes On" - and "Finding Out the Hard Way"

STARS FOR CYNTHIA!!!!
Although I tend to agree with most everyone about the storyline, I feel that Cynthia Rhodes, as Jackie, displayed a depth of talent that Stallone and Travolta could only dream of. Her dancing was as hot as the lead's (Finola Hughes) when she helps Travolta prep for the lead. Her singing has emotion and depth, and she displayed great acting ability. (Check out the scene where she walks away from John after he makes a date to meet with her, and then flirts with Finola Hughes as Cynthia walks around the corner. She stops and looks back pensively and without a word shows more emotional range in that look than Travolta does throughout the whole movie.) I agree with the reviewer who wonders why this gorgeous, talented actress has not had more success in the business than she has. Cynthia is the only reason why I watch this movie whenever it comes on.

"Staying Awake"
Six years after "Saturday Night Fever", Tony Manero is a waiter struggling to make it on Broadway. He lives in a fleabag hotel and does his laundry in the shower. His character has matured, but he still disses the nice girl who adores him (Cynthia Rhoades) while pining for a pompous snot-nose (Finola Hughes). Now viewed as a 1980's camp classic (and a good bad movie), the film suffers from director Stallone's infusion of a "Rocky" formula and a certain blandness - the characters here don't generate half the interest of those in the original film. I actually think some of them, like Tony's dance partner and brother (Karen Lynn Gorney and Martin Shaker) could have been carried over into this movie, as their characters still could have gone places. Travolta has a laughable scene with his mother (Julie Bovasso, the only returning cast member) and the finale - "Satan's Alley" plays like an extended MTV video. Frank Stallone contributes most of the songs (bite my tongue) and The Bee Gees...

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