Truly Joyful!

Rating: 10/10 (28 November 2010)

We could use a story of triumph over adversity these days, particularly one with singing, dancing, and romancing. There's an undercurrent of legacy running between Cher and Christina Aguilera, and that adds to the spectacle of big voices, big costumes, and big love. Whoever designed the costumes should receive many awards. The same for the choreography. The musical numbers were all very sexy for being less than over the top. The men's costuming, with vests and bowler hats, was very good: the band rocked.
Of note were the photo histories of burlesque used as props, reminding the audience of the prominence this art form once held. And there was just enough of a tip of the hat to Cabaret to send a signal about those times and our times without being heavy handed.
In the end, girl finds stardom and love. Devotion to art triumphs over commercialism. In short, the world not as it is but as it might be for the brief time one is at the movies. Just a delight to remember the days when big production numbers were, well, big productions. I left the theater feeling, "now that is a movie!" This is one to see on the big screen and then tuck away for inspiration as needed.