Fame Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of talented kids sing and dance their way through high school, dealing with the usual teen drama except with more jazz hands.

🍿 Fame: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Auditions and Freshman Year

The film opens with auditions for the New York Academy of Performing Arts, showcasing the talents and dreams of aspiring students. Among those accepted are Jenny, a shy actress; Marco, a talented singer; Denise, a classical pianist with a hidden desire to sing; and Malik, an actor struggling with personal issues. Freshman year begins with the students diving into their respective disciplines. They quickly learn the demanding nature of the school and the high expectations of their teachers. Friendships and rivalries begin to form as they navigate the challenges of their rigorous training and personal lives. One memorable scene shows the students participating in an impromptu lunchtime performance, showcasing the school’s vibrant artistic spirit.

Sophomore and Junior Year: Exploring Passions and Facing Challenges

Sophomore year sees the students pushing their boundaries and exploring their artistic identities. Denise secretly collaborates with Malik and Victor on a music project, defying her parents’ expectations for her to focus solely on classical piano. Relationships develop as Marco and Jenny start a romantic relationship. Junior year presents new challenges. Jenny is nearly taken advantage of by an older, more experienced actor. Neil, a student filmmaker, is scammed out of money he intended to use to make a film. Denise faces increased pressure from her parents to abandon her singing aspirations, adding tension to her life.

Senior Year: Confronting Fears and Making Choices

The pressures of senior year mount as graduation approaches. Kevin, a struggling dancer, faces the harsh reality that he may not have the talent to succeed professionally, leading to a suicide attempt. Alice receives an opportunity to tour the world as a dancer. Joy leaves school early to pursue a full-time acting role on ‘Sesame Street.’ These challenges force the students to confront their fears and make difficult choices about their futures. Denise, supported by her mother, finally defies her father’s wishes and embraces her passion for singing. The film culminates in a graduation performance where the students showcase their talents and reflect on their journey together.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jenny Garrison (Kay Panabaker): A shy and initially insecure actress-singer who gradually gains confidence throughout her time at the performing arts school.
• Marco (Asher Monroe): A self-assured and supportive singer-songwriter who encourages Jenny and struggles with his own artistic path.
• Denise Dupree (Naturi Naughton): A classically trained pianist who secretly desires to sing, rebelling against her strict parental expectations.
• Malik Washburn (Collins Pennie): A tormented and ambitious actor from a troubled background, striving for fame while battling personal demons.
• Kevin Barrett (Paul McGill): A determined but struggling dancer who faces discouragement and grapples with his self-worth.
• Ms. Kraft (Bebe Neuwirth): A demanding and critical dance teacher who pushes her students to their limits.
• Mr. James Dowd (Charles S. Dutton): An acting instructor who challenges his students to confront their inner struggles and emotional barriers.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jenny Garrison: “Success is waking up in the morning so excited about what you have to do that you literally fly out the door.” – Jenny reflects on her experiences and defines success as passion and joy in one’s work during her graduation speech.
• Jenny Garrison: “Success is getting to work with people you love.” – Jenny reflects on her experiences and defines success as passion and joy in one’s work during her graduation speech.
• Jenny Garrison: “Success is connecting with the world and making people feel.” – Jenny reflects on her experiences and defines success as passion and joy in one’s work during her graduation speech.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $22,455,510
• Worldwide Gross: $77,211,836

💥 Fame Reviews

Personal Review

I remember being excited about this remake, hoping it would capture the magic of the original ‘Fame’. While the music and dancing are energetic, I felt disconnected from the characters. There were too many storylines crammed into a short runtime, leaving me feeling like I barely knew anyone. The film lacked the grit and emotional depth that made the original so memorable, but I still enjoyed the performances and the soundtrack.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of teen musicals and dance movies”
  • “Viewers interested in performing arts school settings”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted and inspirational film”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide attempt”
  • “Brief suggestion of exploitation”
  • “Teen drama and relationship conflicts”

Professional Reviews

• Box Office Mojo: “Blue Skies for ‘Cloudy,’Hazy Starts for ‘Surrogates,’ ‘Fame’ – The 2009 remake attempts to recapture the spirit of the original but ultimately falls short, offering a watered-down version that lacks the original’s grit.
• Variety: “A remake of the 1980 musical, which is better than the ‘Step Up’ style crap that has been coming out lately. Wonderful choreography, fantastic music and singing, great acting, and a very good story abound in this new classic.
• Ropeofsilicon.com: “It seemed that Mr. Tancharoen forgot (maybe intentionally?) that he had 10 characters to develop. The movie had such a good vibe in the early stages before we actually started to shoot it. In fact, it had such good energy going on, that it was a pity it ended up being cut-up/chop-chopped and ‘sanitized’. There were a lot of scenes that unfortunately did not make the final cut. These scenes showed stories about true friendship, love, passion, relationships, sexuality, disappointments and successes in detail thru character development

Audience Reactions

The dance sequences were captivating and made you want to get up and dance.: Most viewers enjoyed the music and dance performances, finding them energetic and entertaining.

Some found the movie a poor update of the original, the acting sucks, the music is forgettable, and the direction is so bland that nobody even knows what to do half of the time.: A good choice for a Saturday afternoon if there’s not much else to do.

Overall Consensus: The 2009 remake of ‘Fame’ is a visually appealing and energetic film with impressive dance sequences, but it ultimately lacks the emotional depth and character development of the original, leaving many viewers feeling disconnected and underwhelmed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Debbie Allen, who played Lydia Grant in the original 1980 film and subsequent TV series, appears in this remake as Principal Angela Simms, creating a direct link between the two versions.”
• “Director Kevin Tancharoen had previously worked primarily in music videos and concert films, making this one of his first major feature film directorial efforts.”
• “The filmmakers aimed to update the original ‘Fame’ for a modern audience, incorporating current music styles and addressing contemporary issues faced by aspiring artists.”
• “Several of the young actors cast had previous experience in dance or music competitions, lending authenticity to their performances.”

🖥️ How to Watch Fame?

Fame (2009) is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Fame, you might like these similar films:

• Fame (1980): The original movie on which this remake is based, exploring the lives of students at a performing arts high school.
• Footloose (1984): Explores themes of artistic expression, rebellion, and the pursuit of passion against societal constraints.
• A Chorus Line (1985): Provides a raw look into the lives, struggles, and ambitions of dancers auditioning for a Broadway show, similar to the competitive atmosphere in ‘Fame’.
• High School Musical (2006): A modern, teen-focused musical that, while lighter in tone, also deals with students balancing academics with their passion for performing arts.

🛒 Fame Related Products

• Fame (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Experience the energy and passion of the film with the official soundtrack featuring original songs and electrifying dance tracks.
• Fame (1980) [Blu-ray]: Own the original 1980 ‘Fame’ movie on Blu-ray and relive the groundbreaking story that inspired the remake.
• Fame Movie Poster: Get a poster for the Fame movie.
• So You Think You Can Dance Board Game: Compete with friends and family in a fun and interactive board game inspired by the hit TV show and dancing showcased in Fame

🎧 Soundtrack

Fame features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Fame” – performed by Naturi Naughton
• “Out Here On My Own” – performed by Naturi Naughton
• “Someone to Watch Over Me” – performed by Asher Book

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The King of Comedy – The Unhealthy Quest for Fame

Ever wonder about the dark side of chasing fame? This video breaks down ‘The King of Comedy’ and totally nails the obsession with being famous. It’s a bit unsettling, but super insightful – definitely worth a watch!

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