Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Barry Miller, Bruce Ornstein, Donna Pescow, Fran Drescher, John Travolta ... (see more) , Joseph Cali , Julie Bovasso , Karen Gorney , Karen Lynn Gorney , Martin Shakar , Paul Pape , Sam Coppola
John Travolta graduated from minor celebrity to superstar with Saturday Night Fever. Travolta plays Tony Manero, a Brooklyn paint-store clerk who'd give anything to break out of his dead-end existence. In life, Tony is a peasant; on the disco dance floor, he's a king. As the soundtrack plays one Bee... (read more) John Travolta graduated from minor celebrity to superstar with Saturday Night Fever. Travolta plays Tony Manero, a Brooklyn paint-store clerk who'd give anything to break out of his dead-end existence. In life, Tony is a peasant; on the disco dance floor, he's a king. As the soundtrack plays one Bee Gees hit after another (including Stayin' Alive), we watch white-suited Tony strut his stuff amidst flashing lights and sweaty, undulating bodies. Tony's class aspirations are mirrored in his relationship with his dance partner, Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney), a secretary eager to move into the glamorous world of Manhattan. Saturday Night Fever's huge success grew meteorically thanks to the towering popularity of its soundtrack; during the first half of 1978, when the movie's disco songs saturated the singles charts up to four at a time, it was no longer clear whether the hit movie was feeding the hit songs or the hit songs were feeding the hit movie. This crossover between music and movies set the pace for many movies to come, as it also marked the rise and fall of 1970s disco culture. Two versions of this film exist: the original R-rated version and a PG version, edited down to more family-friendly fare and fed to the public with the tagline, Because we want everyone to see John Travolta's performance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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PG, 2 hrs.
Directed by:
John Badham
Release Date: Dec 19, 1977
DVD Release Date: Aug 10, 2002
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Flixster User Reviews
My parents used to play the soundtrack all the time for me when I was little. Oh Bee Gees. Great because it's so 1970's Italian Brooklyn.
I can't put my review any better than this one..."An unglorified coming-of-age film, a kitchen-sink drama and a musical all in one, Saturday Night Fever is blessed a fantastic script, boasting some very complex characters, and a cast that rises to th... (read more) I can't put my review any better than this one..."An unglorified coming-of-age film, a kitchen-sink drama and a musical all in one, Saturday Night Fever is blessed a fantastic script, boasting some very complex characters, and a cast that rises to the challenge of bringing them to the screen. But as good as the supporting cast are, this is John Travolta's movie, and rightfully so, a blistering star making role, oozin charisma and naturalism, this is definately his best performance (yes, even over Pulp Fiction). If only he could do more like this... "
Dated and daggy and really average plot but COME ON.. you gotta love the moves and the music!
Definitely not the light dance movie I was expecting. There were a lot of heavy duty issues but it was a good movie. The ending was weak to me but I was a little scared how much my husband looks like John Travolta in the beginning (minus the flared p... (read more) Definitely not the light dance movie I was expecting. There were a lot of heavy duty issues but it was a good movie. The ending was weak to me but I was a little scared how much my husband looks like John Travolta in the beginning (minus the flared pants)!
After Grease and this movie how could anyone doubt Travolta's homosexuality.
Critic Reviews
The omission of John Travolta in any of the commentaries or documentaries is a major shadow that the new disc cannot get out from.full review
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