Remember FAME

I wanna live forever, I want to learn how to fly.

If you know the next line in that song then you are a child of the 1980's like myself. For those that have bad memories or are unfamiliar the next line is Fame! as sung by Irene Cara. This was the titular song of the movie Fame! which later spawned a television series of the same name and featuring many of the movies cast. The film was an interesting mix of music and drama, a reflection of life in NYC and preparing for the arts.



One of the things I love about the film is the characters journeys. Learning about themselves, fighting their inner and outer demons. Dealing with the harsh realities of life. And learning to deal with other people that have widely different views.

It was one of the first films I recall to have an openly gay character, an interracial romance, discussing illiteracy, and honestly displaying the work those in the arts must go through just to see if they have a chance in the industry. It was brutally honest in the self-destruction that can overwhelm many. It was honest in the way so many fall before they can rise, and even those that do can crash and burn.

And I really enjoyed Bruno Martelli and the orchestra conductor. Their battle between electronic instrumentation and classical was brilliant. And perhaps the best part is when the old teacher proved he was not unaware of modern music or it's value as he played improv with the best of the younger students. [might have been in the television series but I think it was the movie]

Now I bring up this blast from my past because I have learned that the film is about to be "reinvented". That spells almost certain doom. There have been few remakes that have done well, and even fewer in recent years. And once the words reinvent or re-imagined enter the description you can take odds at how bad the crap will stink.

But this new film is not without it's merit. Unlike the first film that starred in virtually every role unknowns, this new film will star some big names. Kelsey Grammer, Charles S. Dutton, Bebe Neuwirth are all teachers, and Debbie Allen who was in the first film will return as Principal this time. So there is one difference. And that could be good or bad. Because the focus of the film is not the teachers but the students and their paths.

Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton and Kay Panabaker will be taking on the roles of the students. I am not familiar with them, but in looking up the photos there seems to be a lack of diversity that the original had.

Will the new FAME be like the new 90210, a void of real talent and a showcase of the superficiality that pervades television and movies today; especially those that feature younger audiences? It's hard to say yet. I can hope that it will not reflect that. I can hope that the new director and writers have seen the original movie and appreciate it. I can hope many things for this film. But we will see.