3/5 Bob Fosse: Dance expresses joy better than anything else.
  by Galina (Virginia, USA)
My love and admiration for Federico Fellini/Guiletta Masina's film Nights of Cabiria had stopped me for long time from seeing Sweet Charity, the adaptation of the musical based on the same story which was made into a highly successful Broadway show directed and choreographed by a multitalented Bob Fosse. I am a fan of Bob Fosse. I love all his films, musicals and not, but I was hesitant to see Sweet Charity the movie and I never had a chance to see the Broadway musical. Well, I finally did and I can say that nothing is wrong with transporting the same story to the different time, place, language, medium, and to use the different artistic tools. The story is the same; the films are as different as Rome and NYC or as Federico Fellini and Bob Fosse. Fosse's film should be judged on its own terms, and it has a lot of breathtaking scenes to enjoy, bright colors, outrageously stunning costumes (the work of incredible Edith Head), adorable and unbelievably cute Shirley MacLaine, Sweet Charity Hope Valentine, and the best of all - the dancing sequences to die for. Among them, splendid The Big Spender is perfection and the real treasure. Fosse's staging of the musical numbers is outstanding. The most memorable moment in the movie for me was stolen from Shirley MacLaine by Chita Rivera in Big Spender. Just watch Rivera's seemingly boneless arms, the right one around her head and the left one behind her back, the left hand on her right hip as she sings, "do you want to have fun, fun, fun?" For this moment alone, I like the film even if I see very well that it has some minuses, too. The first act between two intermissions was really good, and it includes the best dancing and singing numbers: "Hey, Big Spender", "The Pompeii Club", "Rich Man's Frug", and "If They Could See Me Now". After the second intermission the movie went over the hill. I believe that it could do without both intermissions. We are not watching the show at the theater, and the intermissions only took time. The "hippiest" "Rhythm of Life" scene was overlong, did not make much sense, and made me want to fast-forward it. I take it that Fosse wanted to experience with the camera movements and different techniques in his very first feature film which was a screen transfer of his Broadway Musical. This is the only explanation of his multiple slow-motions, stills, color/black/white and back changes that did not add anything to the film, just paused it with no apparent reasons. His next screen adaptation was timeless Cabaret, and he had improved his directing style dramatically. As the result, Cabaret has stayed his greatest achievement along with All That Jazz.

Coming back to the original tragic comedy "Nights of Cabiria", of all the characters Fellini had given life on screen, by his own words, Cabiria was the only one he worried about many years after the film was made. Of all the characters, I've seen in films, Cabiria is the one I often think about - whatever happened to her? Did she survive? Was she able to find love? As much as I like Shirley MacLaine/Charity, I did not worry about her future. She lived happily ever after - in both movie endings, theatrical and alternative.

3.5/5

5/5 Sweet Charity
  by Ruthann Hunsinger (AZ)
I saw the original Broadway musical & went back stage as a kid to get autographs. This is a good rendition, but it is nowhere near what the Orig was. I do recommend this to others, as it is a classic & a fun movie. Gwen Verdon was supreme on Broadray, Shirley MacLaine does her best to replicate her.

5/5 My mother-in-law loved it!
  by Allan L. Erickson (Gig Harbor, WA. USA)
Requested by my mother-in-law she absolutely loved the movie. The songs were outstanding as you would expect from most high class musicals. And last but not least the price and prompt delivery were very much appreciated.

5/5 "The rhythm of life is a powerful beat..."
  by JML (NH, USA)
I do not want to recreate the wheel regarding reviews, but SWEET CHARITY is a unique and entertaining movie summarized very well by the 5 & 4 star ratings. I would like to clarify some of the comments stated in the lesser reviews.

First, you have to remember this movie was made in the late 60's. You have to think about the context of the times; movie making was in it's infancy (or at leat toddler-hood), colorization was still new & you did not have computer enhancement & the cameras of today's technology. Then add to it all that Fosse had to deal with.

Second, this movie is based on a Broadway show w/Gwen Verdon in the lead & written by her husband at the time, Bob Fosse. It is always difficult bringing stage to the screen. And w/a star like Gwen Verdon, some of the character traits of SWEET CHARITY were already established. The dancing scenes & choreography of Fosse are one reason alone to acquire this movie for your personal library. Extensive dance scenes, including group dancing numbers, such as "Rich Man's Frug" & "The Rhythm of Life" were novel ideas. The choreography is so avante garde & fresh that THE GAP used parts of "Rich Man's Frug" in it's commerical's. The musical number, "Hey Big Spender" shows the seeds of Fosse's later hit "CABARET. Fosse was a genius and this movie was just the tip ice burg of his unique & creative vision. This movie also provides the opportunity to see a young Ben Vereen before the fame of PIPPIN. In addition, this movie allows one to see what an amazing dancer Shirley MacLaine was.

Third, you just gotta love Shirley MacLaine who's talent stretching from comedic dance musical such as SWEET CHARITY, to Oscar winning dramas such as THE TURNING POINT & TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. SWEET CHARITY is a quirky, silly story that warms you heart & Shirley's performance is memorable. Another quality movie showing a young MacLaine is Alfred Hitchock's WHAT TO DO ABOUT HARRY.

Forth, I didn't notice missing material, but there is additional footage of Sammy Davis Jr.'s performance of "The Rhythm of Life." I saw this move as a teenager, with pretty much the same observations as now. I purchased this DVD so I can watch some of my favorite musical numbers. If you are a Fosse & MacLaine fan buy this DVD. Not sure, then rent it.

5/5 Gina's Kitchen
  by Bunker (Seneca, SC USA)
What is there not to like about Shirley McClain and Bob Fossee. We had to replace a old video tape which we wore out.