Summary
Throughout his career,Stanley Kubrickbecame known for his intense and often dark films, so at first glance, the movie he deemed to be the best may come as a surprise. Considered one of thegreatest film directors of all time,Kubrick made movies from 1952 until his death in 1999.Stanley Kubrick’s best moviesare all lauded as classics, from2001: A Space OdysseytoThe Shining.The director’s unique style and innovative filmmaking have had long-lasting effects on Hollywood. Not only did Stanley Kubrick make stand-out movies, but his influences were also rather distinct.
The director was interested in Soviet filmmakers such as Sergei Eisenstein and Vsevolod Pudovkin (viaStanley Kubrick,LoBrutto.)Kubrick also admired the works of Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini(viaKubrick, Ciment.) For the most part, these directors made movies that were contemplative, whimsical, and epic. They made dramas that forced audiences to think and feel in a way they hadn’t before. In this way, it’s even more surprising that Kubrick noted this 1979musical drama filmas the best movie he had ever seen.
Every Time Stanley Kubrick Was Nominated For A Directing Oscar (& Who He Lost To)
Despite being one of the most renowned filmmakers of all time, Stanley Kubrick never won an Oscar for directing. But he did receive a few nominations.
1979’s All That Jazz Was Apparently Stanley Kubrick’s Favorite Movie
All That Jazz’s Story & Background Explained
According to John Baxter’s biography of Stanley Kubrick, the famous director referred to 1979’sAll That Jazzas the “best film I think I have ever seen.” All That Jazzis a musical drama directed by Bob Fosse. For context, Fosse is notable for both his feature films and his contributions to the stage. The young Fosse went from being a dancer on-screen and on stage to choreographing entire musicals with his signature style that persists to this day. ThoughFosse is best known for films likeCabaretandSweet Charity,one of his greatest undertakings wasAll That Jazz.
All That Jazzwas so important to Fosse because it was a fictionalized depiction of his own life.The semi-autobiographical moviefollows Joe Gideon, a film director and choreographer who is editing a film while also choreographing a new show. In any spare time he has, he is chainsmoking, doing drugs, and sleeping with endless women. Ultimately, this lifestyle begins to take a toll on Gideon, forcing him to choose between his vices and his art.This narrative is a direct parallel to Fosse’s struggleswhen he was editing his filmLennywhile also stagingChicago.
Why Stanley Kubrick’s Comments On All That Jazz Are Surprising
Kubrick’s Love Of All That Jazz Also Makes Sense
It is surprising that Stanley Kubrick acknowledgedAll That Jazzas the best movie he had ever seen. At first glance, the movie is far different from the films he made. It is dramatic, but it’s also a musical with a heavy focus on dance, which wasn’t quite in Kubrick’s realm. Furthermore, with such big-name influences,it’s surprising that Kubrick would pin so much admiration on Bob Fosse.Fosse was certainly iconic, but he was not considered the greatest filmmaker of his era. Much of his success revolved around dance. In this way,All That Jazzmay seem like a curveball.
Considering Kubrick’s own overwhelming success, perhaps he saw parts of himself inAll That Jazz,which is why it had such an impact on him.
However,in other ways,All That Jazzis very similar to Stanley Kubrick.All That Jazzis far from a happy-go-lucky experience. The film is dark, difficult, and at times hard to watch. Following the downfall of Joe Gideon, and by extension, Bob Fosse, is incredibly vulnerable. On top of that,All That Jazzshows off Fosse’s sense of ego.Though the director struggled, he also found solace in his success and his artistry. Considering Kubrick’s own overwhelming success, perhaps he saw parts of himself inAll That Jazz,which is why it had such an impact on him.
Why All That Jazz Has Such A Lasting Legacy
All That Jazz Is Both Powerful & Vulnerable
Ultimately,All That Jazzdeserves Stanley Kubrick’s praiseand its long-running legacy. The movie is well-crafted, sharp, and emotionally compelling. Though it can be criticized for trying to do too much, that is part of the movie’s fun. It is chaotic, overwhelming, and at times hard to bear. In this way, it is very much like life, and in particular, the life of Bob Fosse.
Stanley Kubrick is referenced inAll That Jazz.As Gideon is editing his movie, he asks if Kubrick ever gets depressed.
Overall,it was both a power trip and a complete act of vulnerability for Fosse to make such a movie about himselfand for that reason, it deserves the attention it gets. If anything, Kubrick’s praise is just another reason for audiences to check outAll That Jazz.Though it may seem like it’s coming out of left field,Stanley Kubrick’s love ofAll That Jazzmakes a lot of sense.
$37 million
87%
85%
All That Jazz
Cast
All That Jazz is a semi-autobiographical musical drama directed by Bob Fosse, chronicling the life of a driven and self-destructive choreographer, Joe Gideon, played by Roy Scheider. The 1979 film delves into Gideon’s struggles with his work, personal relationships, and health, reflecting Fosse’s own experiences in show business. The film combines a narrative of backstage intrigue with elaborate musical numbers.
