"Fame" - it doesn't come easy

Fame is a remake of the old 1980 film of the same name. It shows us what happens over a timespan of four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts. Since this film is mainly character-driven, it's probably best to just list the characters and what they do. The New York City High School of Performing Arts is taught by teachers such as Mr. Alvin Dowd (Charles S. Dutton) the drama teacher, Ms. Fran Rowan (Megan Mullally, "Will & Grace") the music teacher, Mr. Joel Cranston (Kelsey Grammar, "Frasier") the piano teacher, and Ms. Lynn Craft (Bebe Neuwirth, "Cheers", "Frasier", "Jumanji", "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"). Their students consist of pianist Denise Dupree (Naturi Naughton, "Notorious") who wants to try hip-hop, African-American Malik Washburn (Collins Pennie) who wants to learn to be a better rapper, keyboardist Victor Taveraz (Walter Perez) who aims to be a music producer, Jenny Garrison (Kay Panabaker) who wants to be an actress, and several others with different ambitions and talents. But even the teachers have something they need to learn too.

I think I've explained enough of what the film was about (if you want me to describe the rest, contact me privately). Now, I haven't seen the original 1980 version, but I enjoyed the 2009 version. Some people say it's too similar to High School Musical, but I highly disagree. There is so much in this film that High School Musical does not even begin to cover. The message of the film is that fame comes at a cost, and it stays like that. It doesn't just fall into their laps, and we learn about all their hardships (including Malik's mom not approving of this at all) and what they had to go through. Now this may be because I've never seen the original version (which I heard was rated R), but on its own, the 2009 version is a great film IMO.

The film scored a PG rating, but of course, when remaking an R film to a PG rating, limits must be pushed. There is a bit of teen drinking in this film, namely theater-study and Sesame Street actress Joy Moy (Anna Maria Perez de Taglé, "Hannah Montana", "Camp Rock") who actually gets drunk, raps about "bitches" and "hoes", and then vomits, and superstar Andy (Cody Longo) who tries to have sex with Jenny (who then considers using this to get on the show... contact me privately for more info). Iowa dancer Kevin Barrett (Paul McGill) nearly commits suicide by walking toward train tracks with a metro bus heading his way, getting ready to jump in front of it (contact me privately to know how he turns out). We also learn Malik's sister was murdered in a drive-by shooting. A few s-words are present, and some song lyrics (e.g. "Pissing the night away" from "I Get Knocked Down" by Chumbawumba).

Well, it's a musical film... I personally love seeing musicals on the big screen, but... whatever floats your boat. Just remember to have some tissues handy - parts of the film are real tearjerkers.