Fame (1980)
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A group of ambitious teenagers navigate the grueling journey of pursuing performing arts education in New York City.
The story
Set in New York City in the mid-to-late 1970s, a group of teenagers audition to study at the High School of Performing Arts. They are sorted into three departments: Drama, Music, and Dance. The film chronicles their lives and hardships as they progress through their freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years. Students face academic requirements, personal struggles, and the intense pressure of pursuing their artistic dreams while navigating the complexities of adolescence and the competitive nature of the entertainment industry.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In mid-to-late 1970s New York City, teenagers audition for the High School of Performing Arts, entering Drama, Music, or Dance departments. Drama students include Montgomery MacNeil, Doris Finsecker, and Ralph Garci; Music students include Bruno Martelli; and Dance students include Coco Hernandez and Lisa Monroe. During their freshman year, they balance academics with performance. Sophomore year sees Bruno's father inspire the school with his music, while Lisa considers suicide before joining the Drama department. In their junior year, Ralph and Doris develop a romance, and Doris explores her identity. By senior year, Ralph struggles with a hard-party lifestyle, and Coco is manipulated by a pornographic film director. Leroy Johnson eventually finds a place in a dance company. The film concludes with a graduation ceremony where the students perform an original song, showcasing their individual growth and collective talents.
- First release year
- 1980
- Runtime (minutes)
- 133
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Alan Parker
- Writers
- Christopher Gore · writer
- Cast and characters
- Eddie Barth; Irene Cara · Coco Hernandez; Lee Curreri · Bruno Martelli; Laura Dean · Lisa Monroe; Antonia Franceschi · Hilary van Doren; Boyd Gaines; Albert Hague · Mr. Shorofsky; Tresa Hughes; Steve Inwood; Paul McCrane · Montgomery MacNeil; Anne Meara; Joanna Merlin
- Genres
- musical drama; drama
- Themes
- ambition; rejection; adolescence; identity
- Tone and mood
- dark; dramatic; gritty
- Premise and plot tags
- musical; drama; teen; performing arts
- Source material / true-story basis
- A Chorus Line
- Franchise connections
- Fame
- Reception
- The film received a mixed response from reviewers who praised the music but criticized the dramatic tone and pacing, though it has been reappraised over the years.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Original Song ("Fame") · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Original Score · Nomination; Golden Globe Award · Best Original Song ("Fame") · Win
- Production trivia
- The film was originally titled Hot Lunch.; The film was shot on location in New York City because the Board of Education prevented filming at the actual High School of Performing Arts.; The film was named after the 1975 song performed by David Bowie.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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