Review: Grease (1978)

Grease, one of the most famous sing-a-long films of all time still has us ‘Hopelessly Devoted’ 35 years later, with the movie hits, ‘Summer Nights’ still the topping the charts at every karaoke bar in town. Is it any wonder when the casting included (the incredibly popular) Saturday Night Fever’s, John Travolta and worldwide pop princess, Olivia Newton John?

The film takes us through scenes of a typical all American high school, with a satirical look at 1950’s teenage life: jealousy, first love and terrible outfit choices. The light hearted storyline combined with a few catchy tunes and the world was under its spell. Surprising to most, Grease was actually the first feature movie Randal Kleiser ever directed, but equally as unsurprising, this lead him to become an internationally renowned talent, going on to direct ‘Blue Lagoon’ with the beautiful Brooke Sheilds.

Here is Grease summarised for the people who haven’t had the chance to catch it (if they even exist):

It all begins with Danny, the devilishly good-looking Travolta, who plays leader to leather-clad lads known as the T-Birds. It is the first day of senior year after summer break and of course, Danny had exaggerated his romantic conquests to his loyal following. In reality, the summer of 1958 was spent falling head over heels for Australian bombshell, Sandy. When the summer ended they both parted ways, fearing to never see one another again.

Unexpected by both, Sandy is transferred to Rydell High, home of the T-Birds. When they are reintroduced, Danny tries to act cool and aloof causing Sandy to become confused and upset; Sandy is then taken under the wing of the Pink Ladies, given a make over then they all live happily ever after.

My only quibble with the film is the deranged portrayal of women, notably the fact that Sandy must have an all black make over and take up smoking to eventually ˜get the guy’. Sure the girl with the low cut top, badass attitude and super tight disco pants would be ˜The One That I Want’ too. However, I am not denying that I have sang ‘Beauty School Dropout’ in the shower, pretending to be a ˜Pink Lady’.

The Grease franchise attempted to span out to a second movie which, as many sequels are, was an absolute flop. Thankfully it did not change the original from Grease is the word into Grease is the worst. Most of us just try to pretend it never happened… even Michelle Pfeiffer.

Karen McCann