It’s getting to that time of year when there’s always a party to go to, another dress or suit to buy, and another bottle to drink. With that in mind, here’s a few films that certainly know how to get you into that glitzy, glamorous mood… complete with Grade 8 dance moves and a couple of rather good songs. So, without further adieu, get your jazz hands ready, warm up those vocal chords, and put on the Ritz!
All That Jazz (1979)
Joe Giddeon lives, breathes, and pretty much dies showbiz. The typical creative genius with a penchant for sex and drugs, he takes us through the joys, the stresses, the thrills, and the pills of his daily working life. With plenty of leg warmers and spandex – that put Fame to shame – Bob Fosse offers a strikingly beautiful film, bursting with incredible dances, songs, and frankly bizarre hallucinations. Shining a light on the sinister areas of this flashy world, this film is an access-all-areas VIP card into the most fabulous business of them all. (*****)
The Artist (2011)
A modern day black-and-white silent film about the black-and-white silent movies of the twenties. This film is pretty much Inception with dancing and the world’s most talented dog. Taking you back in time with tap shoes in tow, this film boasts innovative thinking, beautiful costumes, and glorious filmmaking. A little long in the middle, but nevertheless the dance numbers are fantastic, and it’s lovely to watch contemporary films that show some originality. (***)
Cabaret (1972)
Back to Bob Fosse, and don’t worry, that means we’re in safe hands. Liza Minnelli’s Sally Bowles is our sassy, talented, and ambitious protagonist showing us around 1931 Berlin. This film manages to seamlessly intertwine the heavy themes of poverty, abortion, and Nazi Germany with hit after hit song, offering time for escapism from reality, as well as asking us to challenge it. But don’t worry, Cabaret doesn’t take itself too seriously, delivering classic one-liners, a man in drag, and a woman dressed as a gorilla. This film is sheer entertainment, and will have you laughing and crying, and, more importantly, adding ‘Darling’ to every sentence you ever utter. (*****)
The Great Gatsby (2013)
Not a musical, but most definitely glitzy, glamorous, and oh so twenties. A rather divisive film due to the typical Baz Luhrmann stylised, well, style, it tends to be a bit of a love or hate it film (and I must admit, I do love it). With the infamous story of obsessive love, corruption, infidelity, class, wealth, and the green light, Luhrmann breathes new life into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s beloved novel. Pretty, covered in jewels, parties to die for, and with Leonardo DiCaprio as our Gatsby, what’s not to love? (*****)
It (1927)
This list would not be complete without a true twenties film, and It certainly ticks the boxes. The bright-eyed and beautiful Clara Bow stars as the ultimate flapper, seducing and falling in love with her rather wealthy boss. Typically twenties with its dramatic acting, title cards, and plenty of comedy, this film’s brilliant for anyone who wants a true taste of the jazz age. (***)