The redeeming qualities of this movie are its score (which Russell does no justice to AT ALL), Karl Malden who gives a fully developed performance as Herbie, and Natalie Wood-the definitive Louise. Natalie Wood's "The Strip" is a HUGE highlight as you watch Louise transform from a somewhat awkward girl into a beautiful, sophisticated woman who has turned what is considered a cheap way to make a living into an art. The show "Gypsy" is a masterpiece. It has the perfect libretto and a masterful score. This movie doesn't take advantage of that. It adds far too many scenes, softens the monstrous character of Rose (some blame of this goes to the completely miscast Russell), and so many moments that are supposed to be dynamic are very lackluster. Examples of this are both "Everything's Coming up Roses", the Act 1 closer that is supposed tohave the force of an army, but here has the force of a synchronized swimming team, and "Rose's Turn": the ultimate 11 0'clock number breakdown of the main character that only really limps along.
Only when the movie uses the exact material of the show, completely in tact, does it shine. Two scene highlights are Louise's birthday in a motel and the elderly strippers giving Louise helpful career advice (Luckily "Gotta Get a Gimmick", one of the most brilliant songs in Gypsy and in musical theatre in general, isn't ruined. It is the only other musical number highlight in the movie.) For any movie buff, and musical buff, I recommend they see this movie to see what a bad adaptation is. They should read the original stage script, listen to the score as sung by either Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury or Bernadette Peters (Tyne Daly, though a brilliant Rose, was the least vocally experienced of the bunch) and know what a perfect piece the original stage version of Gypsy is. And how stupid it was of Hollywood to not trust it enough.
Only when the movie uses the exact material of the show, completely in tact, does it shine. Two scene highlights are Louise's birthday in a motel and the elderly strippers giving Louise helpful career advice (Luckily "Gotta Get a Gimmick", one of the most brilliant songs in Gypsy and in musical theatre in general, isn't ruined. It is the only other musical number highlight in the movie.) For any movie buff, and musical buff, I recommend they see this movie to see what a bad adaptation is. They should read the original stage script, listen to the score as sung by either Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury or Bernadette Peters (Tyne Daly, though a brilliant Rose, was the least vocally experienced of the bunch) and know what a perfect piece the original stage version of Gypsy is. And how stupid it was of Hollywood to not trust it enough.