I'm sick today and had to call out of work. What better way to spend the day than by watching musicals on the TV???? I have a bunch of DVDs and VHSs that I've bought and borrowed that are begging to be watched, including A Little Night Music. Starring Elizabeth Taylor. Oh wow. What an interesting movie. This is unlike any other Sondheim show made to be watched outside of the theater. Unlike Sunday in the Park, Sweeney(the original), Into The Woods, or Passion, this rendition of A Little Night Music was made specifically as a movie-musical. I've heard alot of people talk about how awful this movie is, particularly Elizabeth Taylor, and much of the singing as well. Truth be told, I didn't mind it too much. I thought on the whole all the filming was as simple as it gets. Look up Harold Prince on imdb.com. This is one of the only movies he's ever made. I actually liked the simplicity of it all though. I feel like movies today are made with shots cutting left and right every 4 seconds. I like being able to watch the action on the screen as it is unfolding while taking place all in one shot. The performers were not bad. I thought Diana Rigg as was very funny and right for Charlotte. Elizabeth Taylor was not terrible, but not enjoyable. She seemed uncomfortable when she started singing. It happened a couple times during the movie with others as well. The actor would be doing just fine, and the song would start and it was like they didn't know what to do with their hands. Things got a little fishy. Hermione Gingold, Len Cariou, and Lawrence Guittard were all superior to the rest. But no wonder, they were all in the original cast on Broadway. While a couple songs were cut from the stage version (like Miller's Son) it stayed pretty true to the original plot line.
Check out this movie and appreciate the fact that they didn't try convert Sondheim's other shows to this kind craziness.
Listen to the new words: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8PV33dmVVU
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