Staying Alive (1983)

User Rating:

3.9/10   

Director:

Sylvester Stallone

Writers:

Nik Cohn (characters)
Sylvester Stallone (written by) ...

Release Date:

15 July 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

Tony Manero knows the old days are over - But nobody's gonna tell him he can't feel that good again.

Plot:

It's five years later and Tony Manero's Saturday Night Fever is still burning. Now he's strutting toward his biggest challenger yet - making it as a dancer on the Broadway stage.

Plot Keywords:

Dancer | Sequel | Writer Director | Title Based On Song | Spandex

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 5 nominations

Cast

John Travolta	...	Tony Manero
Cynthia Rhodes	...	Jackie
Finola Hughes	...	Laura
Steve Inwood	...	Jesse
Julie Bovasso	...	Mrs. Manero
Charles Ward	...	Butler
Steve Bickford	...	Sound Technician
Patrick Brady	...	Derelict
Norma Donaldson	...	Fatima
Jesse Doran	...	Mark
Joyce Hyser	...	Linda
Deborah Jenssen	...	Margaret
Robert Martini	...	Fred
Sarah M. Miles	...	Joy (as Sarah Miles)
Tony Munafo	...	Doorman

Runtime:

93 min | Argentina:96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Spain:T | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Singapore:PG | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Just like for the original, star John Travolta underwent extensive physical training for the role. The training was supervised by director Sylvester Stallone.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Tony is trying out for the second show, he is shown wearing number 46, but there is one quick shot of him wearing number 40, which was his number for the first tryout.

Quotes:

Laura: Who do you think you're dealing with... some little groupie who jumps when you call? Is that who you think I am? We met, we made it. What do you think it was? True love? And you say I used you, but what about you using me? Everybody uses everybody, don't they?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "I Love the '80s Strikes Back" (2003)

Soundtrack:

Breakout

ONE OF THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD MOVIES EVER MADE

Sylvester Stallone's "Staying Alive" is one of the most misunderstood movies ever made. It is the sequel to the very popular "Saturday Night Fever". However, "Staying Alive" is often pegged as a turkey in comparison to the first film. That is very unfair.

I wonder whether critics have anything against the film or Stallone himself. Stallone had established himself as a very capable director with "Paradise Alley" in 1978 and "Rocky II" in 1979 and "Rocky III" in 1982. But they seem unwilling to lay off Stallone and his many talents. I think he does an excellent job continuing the story of Tony Manero (played again by John Travolta).

If you love dance, you will love this film. Stallone uses his camera extremely well to capture the nuances of dance itself. There is one very strong sequence in which Tony and his on-again, off-again girlfriend practice for a Broadway musical that takes up about 12 minutes and is just exhilarating.

The story is also very good here. Tony is now a professional dance instructor in Manhattan who has a chance to get a part in the hottest new Broadway musical out there "Satan's Alley". Tony finds himself torn between two women and Stallone asks a lot of tough questions about relationships here that a harebrained movie wouldn't even touch.

Travolta is again on target here as Tony Manero. A lesser actor wouldn't even touch material as tricky as this, but Travolta takes the risks and it pays off. The music (by the Bee Gees and Frank Stallone) is excellent and fulfills the same purpose music did in the original.

"Staying Alive" probably won't ever receive the recognition it deserves. For those of you wondering, I am not being paid by Paramount to say this. My opinions CAN'T and NEVER WILL BE bought. I genuinely feel that this is an exceptional film and that it deserves better than it has received over the years.

**** out of 4 stars