Newton-John mythical muse in musical fantasy, Xanadu
MAGIC… that is what Olivia Newton-John’s latest musical-fantasy film, XANADU, has.
This ordinary “boy-meets-girl” plot turns a magi cal twist with a not-so-ordinary girl–Kira (Newton-John), a Muse right out of the mythological archives.
Goddess Kira was sent to earth from the heavens of Zeus to inspire a struggling artist, portrayed by Michael Beck of “Warriors” fame. And, what entails after their first encounter is certainly a compliment to the writing staff of this Lawrence Gordon production.
Beck plays Sonny Malone, an artist who desires fame. But, when he meets the angelic Kira, all he desires is her. Unfortunately, she has a habit of disappearing and trying to find her isn’t as easy as he hoped it would be. He searches high and low while skating the busy sidewalks of Venice, he meets the lonesome Gene Kelly.
The chemistry between Kelly and Malone is there from the start. Together, they talk about dreams and girls, initially unaware that they are destined to become partners in the fabulous dance land, XANADU.
Malone begins to weary of his search for Kira, but Kelly encourages him to look further. So, he continues and, as he passes a vacant auditorium, soon to become XANADU, he hears his dream girl’s melodic voice. Suddenly, there she is, skating out of the shadows, beckoning “Come take my hand, you should know me…” then she’s gone.
The Hollywood magic of special effects - the creative talents of R. Greenberg Associates - does the trick here and throughout the movie.
The most spectacular of all illusions is at the beginning of the film when Kira and her eight equally beautiful sisters spring to life-out of a mural depicting their images - and dance into the vacant streets of sleepy L.A. to the awakening sounds of “I’m Alive”, written and performed by Jeff Lynn and ELO.
XANADU’s irresistible score is matched by its irresistible choreography, headed by veteran Choreographers Jerry Trent and Kenny Ortega.
The final number combines an old style of dance - with a little help from the great Gene Kelly - and the new disco/punk style, complete with roller skates and dyed hair, to make this grand finale a credit to the dance industry.
In an age where musicals are as rare as dreams coming true, it is ironic that the two musicals that did hit the screen in the last five years were the biggest hits of the decade. XANADU and the blockbuster “Grease”. Another irony is that they both starred Olivia Newton-John.
One has to wonder if Americans are trying to find that sweet innocence lost in the turmoil of the rebellious ’60s generation - that same innocence that the wholesome-looking Olivia represented. Or is it just that most people, like the desperate Sonny Malone, want their dreams fulfilled without thought or worry?
And is everyone looking for womeone as promising and inspirational as the lovely Kira to fulfill them - at least those who haven’t already found their Muse.
“… Is it a dream? When will it end?”
By Debbie Steinbach