Cabaret (1972)

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Bob Fosse directs Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey in this musical look at the rise of the Nazi party viewed from the prism of the decadent Berlin cabaret scene. 

A very powerful, unflinching look at both Germany’s descent into fascism and the heartlessness of libertarian debauchery. The musical numbers punctuate the subtly unfolding horrors, growing more menacing in tone and vision as the party gives way to The Party. Joel Grey is an inscrutable malevolent marvel as the godlike MC. I’m less keen on Liza’s haranguing Sally Bowles, and… bless him…. Michael York is, as ever, adequate at best.  But that last shot we see of the warped reflection of the audience is some truly haunting shit.

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