karen-loethen Unlike other reviewers, I saw this movie in the 80s when it first came out having never seen it on stage first. I was mesmerized! I loved it then and I love it now. As a young person it was my first introduction to the New York Theater scene...now I can see the limitations of the film, but the bones of the movie are perfect. The casting is amazing. Michael Douglas is gorgeous and perfect at Zach; other reviewers don't care for him in the role but I love him. Alyson Reed is luminous and wonderful on the boards. I couldn't choose a favorite character if I tried because each character is well-drawn. YES, I prefer the stage version. But I'm not a musical SNOB...I love the film too. I think it's worth a watch if only for the excellent dance. Don't compare, don't dis, just ENJOY.

Steed-2 When this movie was released it was a flop. What a pity!, many said. Now 25 years later and watching the movie I have to admit that the movie is quite good. Not perfect but no the mess many fans claim to be. The first part of the movie is just PERFECT, AMAZING....with unforgettable auditions, dancing, ... The big problem starts when they talk about their lives. From that point the movie has got its ups and downs. But it never falls in a total mess. You can feel the sweat, the hard work, their dreams and hopes.......you can feel LIFE! If we compare it with other musicals of the time, maybe A CHORUS LINE and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS are the best examples of good musicals in a dark age for this gender. Both of them are far superior to other titles and both of them have got their ups and downs. SO to be fair A CHORUS LINE is a very good movie. OK, some changes from the stage production, but it always happens when they translate musicals from stage to screen. Evan some fans have said that the choreography is just awful. Come on guys, the movie isn't cheap and the spend money in the most important thing: dancers and dancing. So if you have never seen the stage version just give A CHORUS LINE a chance. You won't be disappointed. And please Michael Douglas, don't be ashamed about it and stop making jokes about your part in this movie as the worst choice of your life. A flop doesn't mean something it's bad.

writers_reign Occasionally, it would appear, I actually do see the same movie as the majority of other posters. This is a case in point. Like many of those who have posted here I saw the stage version albeit in London rather than Broadway and it was light years ahead of this strangely insipid film. Like other posters I question the wisdom of engaging Richard Attenborough to direct a dynamic Broadway musical or engage Michael Douglas to personify what in the stage version was a disembodied voice. In the theatre the finale, 'One', staged if full costume, was a tour de force, because although we had seen fragments of rehearsal it still made an impact like a pile-driver whereas here it is merely a competent, well-drilled routine. There is perhaps some merit or at least interest in a movie musical in which the bulk of the score is performed almost in passing with a couple of solos just for show but overall we're talking major disappointment.

guncollector-1 I first saw the live musical at the Denver Center For The Performing Arts and it was absolutely mind-blowing, Stunning and had such fantastic continuity of plot and dialogue that I liked it much more than most musicals that I have seen on the stage. The interesting thing is that you NEVER got to see Zach's face. He was always in the dark but his presence was powerful and guided the direction of entire production. Whe I heard they were making a movie from it, I waited with bated breath, but when I watched the movie version I was so bummed-out disappointed that I felt I was cheated. The movie lacks the captivating mood set in the live production and it never allows you to be completely in close touch with every character. Personally, I would like to see the live version again and if that should ever be revived, I would wholeheartedly recommend that you go out of your way to see it. It will be one of the most memorable experiences you will enjoy.