Pros: Acting in general, Gig Young, Jane Fonda, Dialogue
Cons: Ending, Gimmicky Flash-forwards, Often over-the-top, Drags in the middle
Plot: Set during the Great Depression. Unemployed people enter a dance marathon, hosted by a manipulative businessman Gig Young. Contestants include bitter, sharp-tongued, Jane Fonda, her new found quasi-boyfriend Michael Sarrazin, would-be actress Susannah York, ex-sailor Red Buttons, and a married couple who are expecting.
"There can only be one winner, folks, but isn't that the American way?"
Its easy to be critical of TSHDY. Its a mildly interesting but unpleasant movie about dance marathons in the 30s. Well acted, but pretty much every character (except Red Buttons) is a loser, unpleasant, and/or crooked. Not content with suffering on the dance floor, the contestants fight and quarrel with each other and go crazy, while Gig Young manipulates everyone for the "good of the show". The ending is abrupt and unconvincing since (a) it makes little sense and (b) the movie never provides a convincing motivation/background for their actions.
But the acting saves it. Gig Young (Yowsa, Yowsa, Yowsa) shines as the aging, disillusioned and somewhat dishonest manager while Fonda puts in her best performance next to Klute. She's competitive, bitter, funny and strong and will do almost anything to win. Unfortunately, her strength makes nonsense of her characters story arc. York also plays her part well except for an over-the-top shower scene.
Cons: Ending, Gimmicky Flash-forwards, Often over-the-top, Drags in the middle
Plot: Set during the Great Depression. Unemployed people enter a dance marathon, hosted by a manipulative businessman Gig Young. Contestants include bitter, sharp-tongued, Jane Fonda, her new found quasi-boyfriend Michael Sarrazin, would-be actress Susannah York, ex-sailor Red Buttons, and a married couple who are expecting.
"There can only be one winner, folks, but isn't that the American way?"
Its easy to be critical of TSHDY. Its a mildly interesting but unpleasant movie about dance marathons in the 30s. Well acted, but pretty much every character (except Red Buttons) is a loser, unpleasant, and/or crooked. Not content with suffering on the dance floor, the contestants fight and quarrel with each other and go crazy, while Gig Young manipulates everyone for the "good of the show". The ending is abrupt and unconvincing since (a) it makes little sense and (b) the movie never provides a convincing motivation/background for their actions.
But the acting saves it. Gig Young (Yowsa, Yowsa, Yowsa) shines as the aging, disillusioned and somewhat dishonest manager while Fonda puts in her best performance next to Klute. She's competitive, bitter, funny and strong and will do almost anything to win. Unfortunately, her strength makes nonsense of her characters story arc. York also plays her part well except for an over-the-top shower scene.
Direction: Although Pollack was nominated for an AA, the direction is flawed. The photography and set design are excellent. But the flash forwards are gimmicky, the opening scene is pretentious, and many of dance scenes (especially the dance 'races') are absurdly overdone. Pollack even uses slow motion so that even the dimmest dim-bulb can see the "suffering." Subtle it ain't.
The film also drags at times, with too many repetitive shots of actors dancing and getting on and off the dance floor. Oh, and its supposed to be some deep allegory about life or 1930s capitalism, or something.
Summary: One of the better Hollywood "Everything stinks" movies of the late 60s. TSHDY is an excellent, character piece with some great acting by Gig Young and Jane Fonda. Its held back by a bleak simple-simon plot and too much melodrama . Rating **1/2
The film also drags at times, with too many repetitive shots of actors dancing and getting on and off the dance floor. Oh, and its supposed to be some deep allegory about life or 1930s capitalism, or something.
Summary: One of the better Hollywood "Everything stinks" movies of the late 60s. TSHDY is an excellent, character piece with some great acting by Gig Young and Jane Fonda. Its held back by a bleak simple-simon plot and too much melodrama . Rating **1/2
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