Saturday Night Fever, based on the story by Nik Cohn - 9.6 out of 10

Saturday Night Fever, based on the story by Nik Cohn
9.6 out of 10


One of the best known scenes in the history of cinema is the iconic dance that has John Travolta move with grace in front of Uma Thurman, in one of the best films ever made, Pulp Fiction.

Before that though, there is the spectacle of a much younger Travolta, exuberant and in top form, mesmerizing audiences and other dancers, on the floor where he spends every Saturday Night in a Fever of expectation.
The hero is Tony Moreno, an Italian American who at the age of 19 lives with his now unemployed father, a very religious mother, Flo, a sister and grandmother.

The brother, Frank Jr., is revered for the fact that he is a priest, Flo is crossing herself most often,looking at the picture of the clergyman, that hangs in a special place in the house.
All this would change alas, when the young man finds he hasn't got his calling anymore, abandoning religion to the chagrin, deep sorrow of his mother.

Tony aka John Travolta knows the future doesn't look good, seeing as he has a job with little prospect of a promotion, if any, the neighborhood doesn't compare well with Manhattan and the joy of his life is the local dance floor, where he shines.
Audiences will probably find the hair style - he is very sensitive about that, upset when his father hits his hair - pants, shirt, shoes and moves hilarious.

I wonder about this...
How come the figures in Pulp Fiction seem to be so cool, classy and somehow destined to be eternally appreciated and what Travolta does in Saturday Night Fever looks comical now, dated and ludicrous.

There are some other aspects that have not aged well.
The hero is actually an antihero when it comes down to his attitude towards women friends, that he treats with contempt, arrogance and often rudeness that borders on harassment and maybe worse, according to the standards of the present.

Seeing as he is the best dancer, an exalted performer that has the other dancers stop and make a ring around him, we could understand that this would have the effect of corruption, it all goes to his head and starts thinking he is the King of the world.
However, Tony does have a complex character, for coupled with his cruel behavior, he does have moments of magnanimity and self criticism.

When he wins an award with his partner, he can see that it was not fair.
The judges were prejudiced against Puerto Ricans...maybe Trump was one of them.

And Tony takes a stand.
Saturday Night Fever was nominated for an Oscar for John Travolta and it is included on the New York Times' Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made list.