Star 80 (1983)

Synopsis:

Sleazy club promoter Paul Snider (Eric Roberts, Runaway Train) helps small town teenager Dorothy Stratten (Mariel Hemingway, Personal Best) became a famous Playboy model. But as Stratten’s fortune rises, the emotionally unstable Snider begins to feel that he is losing control over his discovery, and tragedy ensues.

Reaction & Thoughts:

“I have this feeling about Dorothy. This hunch. She’s gonna be a big star.”

Star 80 is legendary choreographer-dancer-actor-filmmaker Bob Fosse’s last movie as a director. It received mixed reviews from film critics and performed poorly at the box office. But time has been kind to the movie. Over the last four decades, most people have come around to the idea that this is one of the best docudramas of the ’80s.

Fosse directed only five movies — Sweet Charity (1969), Cabaret (1972), Lenny (1974) and All That Jazz (1979) are the other four — and all of them revolve around the same idea: showbiz isn’t a bed of roses. Star 80 could be interpreted as the final chapter in a quintet of unrelated productions that deglamorized the entertainment industry.

The film recounts the true story of model and actress Dorothy Stratten, who was murdered by her estranged husband, Paul Snider. The story is told entirely in flashbacks, and Fosse handles the nonlinear narrative with assuredness. Although the director was accused of exploiting a real-life tragedy, it’s obvious that he was more interested in exploring the perils of fame than in merely reenacting a murder case.

What’s more, Fosse does something that you don’t see every day in a Hollywood movie: as a bizarre as it may seem, the filmmaker decided to tell the sad tale from the perspective of the killer. The audience is practically forced to experience Snider’s slow mental deterioration, which is perhaps why the movie is tough to watch.

Fosse later said that he had more things in common with the scummy Snider than with the innocent Stratten, and that’s one brave admission. Fosse’s affinity with Snider notwithstanding, the director shows tremendous compassion towards the ill-fated Stratten, who was never given the chance to be her own person.

Moreover, the film is perfectly cast down to the smallest roles. Eric Roberts is a force of nature as the troubled Snider. Mariel Hemingway is equally brilliant in her own quiet way. She wisely decided to evoke Stratten rather than emulate her. Carroll Baker (Baby Doll), who plays Hemingway’s mother, underplays beautifully as well.

Cliff Robertson (Charly) is superb as Playboy magnate Hugh Hefner. Robertson plays Hefner as a cross between Moses and Ron Jeremy. Hefner is depicted as nothing but a wealthy street pimp who exploits Stratten as much as Snider (I wasn’t shocked to read that a furious Hefner tried to sue Fosse and company). The idea of Hefner and Snider being two sides of the same coin adds another layer to the story.

Conclusions & Final Thoughts:

Star 80 is a flawlessly crafted true crime drama, additionally enriched by superb performances from the cast. If you are remotely interested in the murder-suicide of Paul Snider and Dorothy Stratten, this is essential viewing. Plus, being his very last movie, it is a must-see for any Bob Fosse fan. Color, 103 minutes, Rated R.

Original Theatrical Trailer:

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