Movie Notes: Grease

December 30th, 2008

= 5 stars

Starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
Directed by Randal Kleiser

Synopsis

Sandy (Oliva Newton-John) and Danny (John Travolta) have a short summer romance and say their goodbyes, only to find they’re both enrolled at the same high-school.

The Good

• John Travolta is charming and funny as Danny Zucco, a quintissential greaser with a goofy pompadour and acting too cool for school. Then there’s Olivia Newton John as a the wide eyed, innocent exchange student, unfamiliar with these proto-slacker teens. While opposites attract, both change for the sake of the relationship.
• Some very funny scenes: the slapstick comedy of Zucco trying out for sports, the passing of a rumor, and the over-the-top dance contest.
• Solid songs with great visual interpretations: the opening animations to the title song, the glammy Greased Lightning and sarcastic Beauty School Dropout, and the stereotypical high-school musical nod Summer Lovin’. Then there’s the solo song Hopelessly Devoted To You which needs nothing more than Newton John crooning beneath a twilight sky.
• Some old timers contribute some welcome polish: Frankie Avalon contributes Beauty School Dropout and Frankie Valli sings the title track Grease, masterfully penned by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees.

The Bad

• Very predictable plot, but I give it a pass because the music is above average. Hey, it’s a musical.
• Rizzo’s pregnancy subplot could have provided some realistic drama to counter the sticky-sweet central romance, but it’s given short shrift.

Conclusion

Grease is a simple story of two polar opposites who must change so they can become a couple. That’s called compromise and the basis of many a strong relationship. Even better, it’s backed by a great soundtrack. It’s movie magic seeing Sandy and Danny’s metamorphosis play out.

IMDB: Grease
Wikipedia: Grease
Rotten Tomatoes: Grease