Xanadu, for all its faults, is an ambitious undertaking. If the male lead had been an accomplished dancer, it might have worked. If John Travolta had not passed on the project, I think his energy and dance abilities would have made this film successful. But he had already done the quintessential disco movie, Saturday Night Fever, in 1977. And perhaps he did not want to make another film with Olivia so soon.
The best part of this film is its music. No surprise, since it features the musical genius of Jeff Lynne. Xanadu is an attempt to create a 1940s-style musical with 1980s music. Gene Kelly is the glue that connects, plot-wise, the old MGM-style musical with current trends.
Among those trends are disco, roller disco, the fitness movement, and bold, colorful fashions. Gene was one of the inventors of the roller skating dance number. And disco is little more than '40s style swing dancing with a stronger, electronic beat. Overall, I liked Gene's performance in Xanadu. However, I thought his big dance number with Olivia was lackluster. On this site, it was written that this dance number was done after all other scenes were shot. My guess is that Gene was either tired or not feeling well, because it does not have the energy of his other scenes.
When the 9 muses are introduced at the beginning, we find that Olivia is portraying Terpsichore. This is made harder to believe by surrounding her with accomplished dancers, including the talented Sandahl Bergman. While these dancers are doing high kicks and dynamic spins, Olivia skips around the stage.
Nevertheless, Olivia does some adequate dancing in other dance numbers. Gene taught her well. And she really tries. But she is no Rita Hayworth. Worse than her dancing, though, is her rollerskating, which proves even more of a distraction.
Someone commented that this movie now has a cult following, particularly among gays. This is understandable. Besides the excellent music, this movie is a visual feast--especially with regard to fashion. Although I don't particularly care for the neon-bright synthetic-fabric styles of the fitness movement (in which Olivia would become an icon with her Physical album--1981), the styles here include the blousy slinkiness of disco, zoot-suited pop-lockers, and even some country outfits.
The final scene at Club Xanada is a blast and the redeeming feature of the film. Crank up the sound and you might feel some chills during the roller disco portion. The muses really get to kick up their heels. And the electronic energy of ELO drives it all.
I rate this film a 5.
The best part of this film is its music. No surprise, since it features the musical genius of Jeff Lynne. Xanadu is an attempt to create a 1940s-style musical with 1980s music. Gene Kelly is the glue that connects, plot-wise, the old MGM-style musical with current trends.
Among those trends are disco, roller disco, the fitness movement, and bold, colorful fashions. Gene was one of the inventors of the roller skating dance number. And disco is little more than '40s style swing dancing with a stronger, electronic beat. Overall, I liked Gene's performance in Xanadu. However, I thought his big dance number with Olivia was lackluster. On this site, it was written that this dance number was done after all other scenes were shot. My guess is that Gene was either tired or not feeling well, because it does not have the energy of his other scenes.
When the 9 muses are introduced at the beginning, we find that Olivia is portraying Terpsichore. This is made harder to believe by surrounding her with accomplished dancers, including the talented Sandahl Bergman. While these dancers are doing high kicks and dynamic spins, Olivia skips around the stage.
Nevertheless, Olivia does some adequate dancing in other dance numbers. Gene taught her well. And she really tries. But she is no Rita Hayworth. Worse than her dancing, though, is her rollerskating, which proves even more of a distraction.
Someone commented that this movie now has a cult following, particularly among gays. This is understandable. Besides the excellent music, this movie is a visual feast--especially with regard to fashion. Although I don't particularly care for the neon-bright synthetic-fabric styles of the fitness movement (in which Olivia would become an icon with her Physical album--1981), the styles here include the blousy slinkiness of disco, zoot-suited pop-lockers, and even some country outfits.
The final scene at Club Xanada is a blast and the redeeming feature of the film. Crank up the sound and you might feel some chills during the roller disco portion. The muses really get to kick up their heels. And the electronic energy of ELO drives it all.
I rate this film a 5.