Grease
1978 · Directed by Randal Kleiser
Original language: English
- romance
- comedy
The story
Australian good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance despite their eccentric friends?
What it’s like
Bright, saturated 1950s-pastiche California: sunlit schoolyards, drive-in neon, chrome-and-pastel diners and a sky that looks painted on, shot in glossy late-70s film stock with a lot of warm sunshine and bouncy handheld energy on the dance numbers. The sound is pure rock-and-roll revival: big horns, doo-wop harmonies, bubblegum pop ballads and a lot of stomp-clap choreography that fills the frame. Its vibe is giddy, sunny and a little cheeky, the kind of thing you put on for a Friday night with friends, a sing-along, or a comfort rewatch when you want to feel young and silly. Pacing is brisk and bouncy, with the songs breaking up the romance and the comedy at a steady clip. Emotionally it stays light: a sweet, slightly bruised romance between two teenagers who pretend to be someone else for each other, and a crowd of friends who squabble, scheme and grow up a little. Intensity is mild: some teen sexual innuendo, a few scuffles and a rowdy street-race sequence, but no real violence or cruelty and nothing frightening. It suits anyone who wants musical nostalgia with a wink, a feel-good watch with no heavy stakes, and playful teen romance.
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