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Even though it's cheesy, Grease is undeniably one of the most satisfying and memorable musicals ever made. In 2006 the special edition 20th anniversary DVD won the Satellite Awards' Best Classic DVD, and according to worldwide box office figures it's one of Hollywood's most successful films raking in close to $380 million. Almost three decades later, Grease is still the word.
Watch clips from the movie!
Based on Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's musical, the Bronte Woodard and Allan Carr classic perfectly captures the 50s as THE boogying rock and rollin' era. Gals show off their frilly, colorful poodle skirts, guys maintain greasy Elvis inspired hairdos, tight pants, leather jackets and the ridiculously catchy ditties in the stage play/film, a comedy-cum-romance-cum-musical.
Grease is fun and a pure delight to watch. It's groovy, euphoric and vibrant while the story line is clear-cut and resonates with most: a simple and lighthearted love story. Over a fateful summer holiday playboy Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and prissy Miss goody-two-shoes, Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John), meet and fall in love. But soon it's back to school at Rydell High and Danny, who thinks Sandy will be going back to Australia, goes back to his old 'player' ways. To their surprise, Danny and Sandy later discover they're attending the same school.
As most of us know, high school is the breeding ground for everything deemed 'cool'. Danny is the leader of the school's cool cats the T-Birds – who are actually boys suffering from an overdose of testosterone – and Mr. Man has an image to uphold with his crew and as a heartthrob and heartbreaker. So when he and Sandy run into each other at school, he slights her initially to play it cool. As a result, their romance rides a rollercoaster of troughs and peaks until they eventually hook up and live happily ever after.
Olivia Newton-John was nominated for a Best Actress Golden Globe for her role as Miss Priss Sandy. Although she shines the most as a singer, it was a tad bit disturbing to see her front as a good girl gone bad by smoking and changing her wholesome image to get Danny's attention and eventually win him over. But hey, it's one of those things that did and still does happen in high school and even after. Stockard Channing commands your attention as the wild and carefree Betty Rizzo. She comes across as the with-it leader of the sassy Pink Ladies, but she's that girl in high-school who was willing to "give it up" without thinking twice, just to be popular with the boys.
But probably the best thing about Grease is the incredibly catchy soundtrack. From beginning to end you're treated to captivating dance and sometimes melodramatic, melancholic ditties. You can't help but sing along, especially to hits such as "Summer Nights", Frankie Avalon's "Beauty School Dropout", "Hopelessly Devoted To You" and the climactic and most memorable duet "You're the One That I Want", of which three became massive hits in the US and the UK. The music lingers and is etched in your memory forever.
The sometimes hilarious dance moves, singing, liveliness as well as the cheesy and gloomy moods of the tunes add to the charm of the film because of their simplicity and message. Adding to the film's magnetism are the equally amazing supporting actors Stockard Channing (Rizzo), Jeff Conaway (Kenickie), Didi Conn (Frenchy), Jamie Donnelly (Jan), and Dinah Manoff (Marty). They all have a strong presence that leaves a lasting impression.
Grease takes you back to high school as each character and the plot plays out what usually goes down during that phase in our lives. Cheesiness aside, it's pure movie magic and is still a slick flick – not just for chicks but for everyone. That is why it's still the word.
