Fosse

Author(s): Alex
Location: Washington State

"Fosse”

Directed by Robert Altman
Written by Bill Condon
Produced by Rob Marshall
Music by John Kander
Creative Consulting by Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, Chita Rivera, and Ben Vereen

Principal Cast:

Woody Harrelson (Bob Fosse)
Cate Blanchett (Gwen Verdon)
Toni Collette (Liza Minnelli)
Alan Cumming (Joel Grey)
Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chita Rivera)
Hugh Jackman (Jerry Orbach)
Terrence Howard (Ben Vereen)
Kevin Spacey (John Kander)
John Cusack (Fred Ebb)
Rachel McAdams (Joan McCracken)

Tagline: "This October prepare to be Razzle Dazzled!"

Synopsis: The film starts in 1958 when Bob Fosse is choreographing Damn Yankees, where he meets Gwen Verdon. Soon after he meets her he divorces then wife Joan McCracken. He then directed and choreographed Sweet Charity starring his new wife Gwen Verdon. This is third show to give him a Tony Award (after “The Pajama Game” and “Damn Yankees”). He then does six more shows including “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” and “Sweet Charity” (the later starring Verdon). Jump to November 20, 1966. It’s “Cabaret”’s opening night on Broadway, and there’s Bob Fosse in the audience. Swept away by the musical, he starts production and eventually gets it done in 1972 starring Judy Garland’s star struck daughter Liza Minnelli and original cast member Joel Grey. When it opens in theatres it’s an absolute hit. It goes on to win Fosse, Minnelli, and Grey Academy Awards. He won his Oscar in the same year he won a Tony for “Pippin” (starring Ben Vereen) and an Emmy for “Liza with a Z” (also starring Minnelli). In 1975 writes, choreographs, and directs “Chicago” which stars Verdon, Chita Rivera, and Jerry Orbach. They aren’t very far into “Chicago”’s run when Verdon is injured. It looks as if it will stop until Minnelli offers to play Verdon’s part while she recovers. This is where the film “Fosse” ends, and his ever-growing legacy takes a life of it’s own.

What the press would say:

In a role he was born to play, Woody Harrelson absolutely shines as Bob Fosse! By far his best film ever, Harrelson is tremendously talented and this is his role! Rob Marshall presents us with a wonderful show helmed by the great Robert Altman (and though he’s never won a competitive Oscar this will most likely win him his). After showing he understands Bob Fosse’s writing and dance numbers (via the “Chicago” movie musical), Bill Condon takes Fosse’s own life and puts in his magnificently crafted screenplay. Cate Blanchett gives a stunning performance as Gwen Verdon. Alan Cumming and Hugh Jackman are perfect casting choices as Joel Grey and the late Jerry Orbach, but if anyone from this cast (besides Harrelson) is to be awarded it’s Toni Collette as the young diva who brought Fosse to stardom, Liza Minnelli. Overall, the best biopic of the century with a great campaign in these categories:

Best Picture (Rob Marshall)
Best Director (Robert Altman)
Best Actor (Woody Harrelson)
Best Actress (Cate Blanchett)
Best Supporting Actor (Alan Cumming, Hugh Jackman)
Best Supporting Actress (Toni Collette)
Best Original Screenplay (Bill Condon)
Best Original Score (John Kander)
Best Costume Design
Best Cinematography