Cabaret (1972)

Cabaret (1972)

A musical set against the rise of Nazism in 1930s Berlin.

Laura’s Rating: 1.5/5 Stars

Plot: Promiscuous Sandy Bowles is a performer at the Kit Kat Klub in Berlin. She meets the reserved Brian Roberts from England and introduces him to her bohemian and hedonistic lifestyle. Over the course of the film, the culture of the Weimar Republic and the Jazz Age are slowly replaced by the rising Nazi Party.

Opinion: I know this rating seems harsh, but I didn’t really enjoy this film much. All the characters are horrible. The songs are done in a style that I personally didn’t find super enjoyable, so the musical aspect didn’t add anything for me, although I recognize the talent of the actors.

The most interesting part for me was the sub plot of Fritz and Natalia, which probably says something that I wasn’t very invested in the main story. I also felt like certain story lines didn’t have the conclusion or consequences I expected, making them less impactful.

Ultimately, I think you can get the main elements of this story from other movies that I enjoy more. If you want a musical about a night club and the bohemian lifestyle, watch Moulin Rouge. If you want a musical about the rise of Nazism, watch The Sound of Music. I’d skip Cabaret and watch those other films instead.