Incredible disco music but plot neither gripping nor inspiring

Rating: 5/10 (14 March 2006)

For me, this entire movie IS the music. I love the BeeGees songs, which of course became famously popular and almost defined the disco and bell bottomed era. Also, I think John Travolta gives a great performance, incredible dancing sequences, in the role of Tony Manero. When I picture Travolta, like most others I'll wager, the image that comes to mind is the white suited Tony strutting away on the disco floor to the BeeGees hits. His main purpose in the movie, apart from dancing, is of course to appear sexy.
The film is short on plot. I haven't seen the movie for a number of years, but all I can recall is that Tony is an uneducated Brooklyn teenager whose life revolves around his Saturday nights at the disco and his attempts to win a dance competition. Apparently (from others' comments), there are girls involved...one, Annette, that he rejects as being too plain so not good enough for him, and another, his pretty dance partner, Stephanie who, aspiring to better things herself, rejects HIM (good for her). Any details didn't make enough of an impression to remain with me for long.
The film does memorably capture, however, Tony's poor employment opportunities due to his lack of education and of course the fact that his entire self esteem unfortunately revolves around his coolness, particularly relative to his admittedly legendary disco dancing skills. Let it be a message for young viewers to stay in school.
How refreshing that another reviewer (you are not alone!) has denounced the poor sexual messages conveyed here. Other than dance, this movie is pretty much all about sex, isn't it? This other commentator noted that Tony's brother leaves the priesthood because he can't deal with the celibacy. Hardly surprising that this attitude is the one presented, is it? Also Tony's friend gets a girl pregnant but is unable to deal with the responsibility (hopefully a good warning to young male viewers). Yes, plenty of sex, though mainly talking about it.
Watch the movie for the great music...it'll "make you feel like dancing", but don't expect a gripping plot or encourage your kids to get their moral attitudes from it. Better still, just buy the BeeGees CD and don't bother with the movie at all. You won't miss much.