Cabaret

although this version had some of the best songs either not taped or not included, this is a complete masterpiece. Alan Cumming is a genius, and he pays so much attention to tiny details of his performance that really enrich the play and adds so much meaning, especially to his choreography in Wilkommen. he just knows exactly what to do to surprise and shock the audience, but he will always exude the exact tone of whatever he is trying to convey (whether it's comedic, flamboyant, or serious); he will forever be THE emcee. and i just absolutely love sam mendes, he re-invented cabaret in the best and most harrowing way possible. although Liza Minnelli will always be my sally bowles, Jane Horrocks is still just as fantastic. she embodies the "creepy" and darker, more depressing essence of Cabaret in a way whereas i find Liza to be more aloof. when Jane began SCREAMING into the microphone shivers went down my spine, she is a master at twisting a scene into an uncanny, uncomfortable melody. in general this version is so much darker and grittier in tone than the 1972 version. it is more sexual, vulgar, and somehow more realistic. the reveal after ernest ludwig's coat was taken off is a great example of this. i actually gasped so loud even though i expected something like that to be coming, mostly because it was just so blatant and he was so proud. AND THE FACT THAT THE BACKGROUND DANCERS BEGAN SYNCING THEIR STEPS TO SOUND LIKE MARCHING????? it really is the tiny details that can bring something to life. the best part is that i know there is so much i probably missed that enhances the performances tenfold. so many of the quotes, mainly the ones highlighted by the finale, expressed things similar to words i have literally heard come out of politician's and family member's mouths today. that's the scariest part. clifford at one point asks sally, "don't you understand? if you're not against all of this, you're for it" and god i wish that was in the 1972 version. but that's the beauty of cabaret, each production is unique but the outcome is always the same. and of course, the emcee revealing his outfit at the end was shockingly horrifying. no matter the version you watch, cabaret has a way of cementing itself into your brain simply through how openly brazen and shocking it is. honestly, i prefer this version which is missing almost all of my favorite songs, because in this version absolutely nothing is hidden away behind symbolism or body language or typical movie attention grabs and dramatics. it's raw, it's real, it's erotic, it's the truth no one ever wants to think about. in this one clifford actually kisses a man, he speaks his mind and faces the consequences that came with it at the time. the characters knew that what they were doing was wrong, and as the audience we know that they don't care, their regime only grew and the context we have is the most terrifying part of it all. once again, it should be mandatory for everyone to watch cabaret but until it is i will continue to never shut up about it. i wish i could give this six stars. edit: after multiple rewatches and thorough examinations, Jane Horrocks IS in fact MY sally bowles. sorry mrs. minnelli