A Tough, Gritty Movie.... about Disco?

I don't think you could make a movie like this anymore. For one thing, it's actually a movie about a popular trend, that is actually illuminating as well as being merely topical. As well, Travolta's character would have to be watered down if he were depicted in a 2002 film. Travolta gives the character charm, but the character himself is a thug. He and his buddies are racist and sexist, and his character does a few things that most audiences would not accept nowadays (see below), I think, if he is to be a hero of a film. His treatment of women is harsh and appalling, but it fits the story -- one of the things he has to overcome is to see women as real people, as people who could be friends to him, rather than as objects to either put on a pedestal or to degrade. Just as the movie also makes the point to follow your dreams, it also makes the point that you have to open your mind, and throw away the prejudices of your youth.

I must say that there are some scenes that will offend people with sensitive or politically correct sensibilities, however. Annette's character is obviously insecure about herself, and needs the sexual acceptance of this god of the dance floor to make her feel good about herself. The actress plays her character, for the most part, as desperate and fragile, which is probably pretty accurate, but is definitely not a role model for emotional strength. As well, (major spoiler!!!) there's a shocking sequence when Tony actually attempts to rape Stephanie (this mirrors a moment when Annette is gang-raped by two of Tony's friends). Some people will be even more upset by the ending, then, when reflecting upon this previous event. Some people would think that Stephanie should call the cops, instead of coming to a forgiveness and an understanding. All those feelings would be natural, but sometimes, I enjoy controversy, so while I can fall into the sorts of feelings that the other sensitive people fall into, I can see that the plot progresses logically, for the most part.

Saturday Night Fever is a powerful time capsule, and is far more tough than a movie about disco has any right to be. The film isn't

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