Fiddler On The Roof

[poliphilo]

I like the dream sequence with its white-faced ghosts- and who wouldn't be moved when Tevye finally mumbles "God go with you" to the reprobate daughter who married the goy?- but for much of the time this is a movie that's embarrassed by its own stageiness. There's a lot a standing around and being silently down-hearted where there should be bustle and music.  It despises its theatrical origins and aspires to be Dr Zhivago. Great musicals turn upon their songs- which occur when swelling emotion carries the characters beyond mere words. Here the truly dramatic moments are mostly unsung and the songs occur at odd random moments. Tevye is arguing with a daughter's boyfriend and suddenly he's singing at us. Why? The great musicals bulldoze that question aside. Fiddler just sort of shrugs. 

Comments

Re: Blue Wednesday.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm a miserable sod.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Are you talking about the film with Topol as Tevye? I used to love that, but as Topol/Tevye looks a lot like my late brother I find it hard to watch now.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, they showed it on TV last night.

My friend Judy hates Topol. She says they should have cast Zero Mostel, who created the role on Broadway. Mostel was light and comic and theatrical where Topol is intense. If they had it would have been a very different movie.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I'm more tolerant of musicals-turned-films than many people. I loved the Broderick/Lane musical version of The Producers on screen, although others didn't like it.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I never understood why they had to make that new version when the original is so good.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Mel Brooks' wife suggested turning it into a musical. She was dying and knew he'd need a focus during and after her final illness.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Ah, well, that makes sense.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

This movie is still better as a Broadway play, not a movie. I've seen several live productions - even local! - that are better than the movie.

But, yeah, the music.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's a very theatrical piece of work. The film tries to disguise the theatricality- which is a mistake.

[wyrmwwd.livejournal.com]

Sorry. I disagree. "Fiddler on the Roof" is one of the few musicals that I actually like. (However, to be fair, part of the reason was that my high school graduating class put it on as the Senior Play, and even though I wasn't in it, all of my friends were, so I have very fond memories).

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm not a great one for musicals, but there are one or two I like. My absolute favourite is My Fair Lady.