'Fame' review

Kherington Payne
(Credit: MGM)

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Fast-Paised review: 'Fame'

Metromix reviews the bland, passionless remake of the 1980...

All the world’s a stage at a New York performing arts high school, where students with various backgrounds and generic parental problems dream of hitting the big time in music, theater or dance. Starring Naturi Naughton (“Notorious”) as pianist/singer Denise and Kherington Payne of “So You Think You Can Dance” as Alice, an arrogant brat who also thinks she can dance.

The buzz: Alan Parker’s excellent, R-rated “Fame” from 1980—which spawned a popular TV series—pulsed with creativity while exploring what it takes to make it in the arts. That was before the Internet and shows like “American Idol” blurred the lines between amateur and professional—turning seemingly everyone into a wannabe star and everyone else into Simon Cowell—which is something the PG-rated “Fame” remake should probably acknowledge.

The verdict: Ryan Seacrest probably spends more time on his hair than most of these wannabes seem to spend on their craft. (The most noticeable work ethic appears in these thinly drawn characters’ commitment to cheesy romantic shenanigans.) The original boasted strong personalities, tough lessons and a real sense of the people behind the performance—artists as they grew throughout high school. This “Fame,” which offers more music, less drama and some lovely work by the promising Naughton, is like an extended pilot for a scripted MTV series.

Did you know? The kids’ acting teacher (Charles S. Dutton) notes, “The theatre is not a place for cowards.” Discuss what picture should accompany that cliche when he hangs it on his office wall.

Video: Watch Matt's review of 'Fame'

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