Zach (Michael Douglas) is auditioning dancers for a new show he is putting on. A multitude of dancers show up for the audition, but only 8 will make the cut. As the numbers of dancers are whittled down, we begin to learn more about them. We learn about the hardships they face in their daily lives, and how quick you can be cast aside in the world of dancing.

What first drew me to this movie was the fact that it had the late Tony Fields in it as Al DeLuca. Tony played Sammi Curr in another of my favourite movies, Trick or Treat (1986).  Tony was a brilliant professional dancer, and he doesn’t disappoint here. Zach and his number 2 Larry (Terrence Mann), slowly cut the numbers down to a line of dancers before choosing the 8 that will be in the show. Zach goes through each of the dancers and asks them about their lives. He asks them about their childhoods, their likes and dislikes and why they want to be in the show. As the dancers divulge their personal lives, we begin to see how hard it can be being a dancer and trying to navigate your way through life to find your own identity as a person.

The whole movie is set in the theatre at the audition. Along side the stories of the dancers, we have the story of Cassie (Alyson Reed). Cassie used to be romantically involved with Zach, and has returned to audition in the show. At first Zach is reluctant, as he believes Cassie to be too talented to be in a chorus line. However he eventually relents and lets her participate. It all leads to a wonderful musical number to end proceedings with a bang.

I have to say I am normally very hesitant to watch musicals. I just find it hard to get into them. However I did enjoy this. There are some cracking musical numbers, and jaw dropping dance moves. Everyone gives it their all and you can see they are enjoying themselves. Also any film that has a song called ‘Tits & Ass’ in it has got to be worth a watch.

3/5

JM