#192 – GREASE (1978)

 

Director: Randal Kleiser

I can’t remember the first time I saw Grease, but I do remember that after watching it, I fell in love with the film. I’m a bit disappointed that it isn’t higher than 192 in the list if I’m honest. I’ve always said that if I could go back in time and visit an era that it would be 1950s America, maybe Grease is part of the reason why?

Let’s start with the music. How great is the soundtrack? From beginning to end there isn’t a bad song in Grease. Frankie Valli lends his voice to the title song and kicks off the film with a bang. From there the music in Grease just gets better and better. Beauty School Dropout is among my favourites but they all have me singing along. Which is what makes the film so great. The musical score was created to perfection, enabling easy listening and sure-fire audience participation. Songs, such as Greased Lightnin’, are filled with innuendos (which definitely went straight over my head when I was younger), but that only makes them that little bit better. John Travolta’s high-pitched singing is possibly one of the greatest things I have ever heard.

The storyline in Grease isn’t overly elaborate, but screenplay by Bronte Woodard and Allan Carr as well as directing from Kleiser has made it a success. It’s just a jovial and energetic film that lifts your spirits. It really makes me wish that I could be a part of it though. Oh, if only that was possible. If the film was made today I’m not sure that it would work, Kleiser has made a real gem of a movie, that has stolen the heart of millions. Grease is a perfect example of a school musical done right.

As for the acting, the characters were cast perfectly. I always think of John Travolta as this cheesy actor for some reason, but he’s actually pretty damn good (he’s in a few of my favourite films). Olivia Newton-John is THE perfect Sandy, her face just fits the part. And who would make a better Betty Rizzo than Stockard Channing?

Grease is undoubtedly a classic. It has the ability to never get old, partly the reason that it is still such a hit today, 37 years on. For me, Grease has got groove and it certainly has meaning.