Last night we were watching That 70’s Show, and they did a little take-off of Grease. The tall kid didn’t get the reference, so during the explanation, Grease was described as one of the movies girls have to love no matter what.
At which point I had to step in and point out I HATE that movie.
I know it’s practically a cult classic. My sister’s entire dorm loved it. There are women who gather with friends to watch it annually. I’ve seen it many times on lists of The Most Romantic Movies EVAH. To which I say…ummm…WHY?
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy the movie. Then they had to blow it big time with the ending. The moral of this story is what? If you deny who you are and turn yourself into an over-permed, middle aged-looking, cigarette-smoking, leather and stilletto-wearing hooker you get to live happily ever after because NOW it’s okay with his buddies?
What am I missing? If you know, please tell me what makes this movie a romance.
And speaking of Grease, what—for the love of Chrysler—ever possessed me to set a book in Greece? I must have been OD’d on caffeine that day.
Comment
I thought it was popular for the music. Never thought about it as a romance.
Comment
Funny, I had the same reaction when the movie came out in 1978. I was twelve, and all “Why does Sandy have to change? It’s not fair!”
Although Danny does letter in track for Sandy, too. But in the end, he dumps that Letterman’s Sweater at the sight of Sandy’s slutty goodness, and their HEA is painted in shades of tight black spandex and dark red lipstick. Still not fair.
Do love the movie, though, because Stockard Channing as Rizzo? My lifelong hero. If you’re gonna be the class tramp, then be the class tramp with CLASS, baby, and don’t apologize to nobody for nuthin.’ There are worse things I could do, indeed.
Comment
Wow, I’d never thought of Grease that way, probably because I haven’t watched it since I was a teenager. Back then, I saw it as a big adventure for her to change and walk on the wild side, I guess. But you’re right, she was changing for HIM not for herself, so as an adult looking at that, it sucks.
Comment
:rulez: That was the first movie I walked out on. They were showing it at some kind of student-y theater and everyone sang along a la Rocky Horror Picture Show. That was the only thing about it I enjoyed.
Comment
I knew the music before I knew the movie, so that’s what I liked it for. Otherwise, I never felt either way about it until you just pointed that out and made me mad. LOL
Comment
I hated it, but that’s because I didn’t like John Travolta…
Comment
I never understood why she was the one who had to change.
Comment
Maybe the thing is that people I’ve seen/heard refer to it as a romance aren’t as HEA-happy as I am. For instance, my sister isn’t a big romance reader, so her “definition” of romance and mine are probably different.
I think it’s even worse than My Fair Lady, though, and that one bugs the hell out of me. “You may fetch my slippers now.” Oooooh, how romantic!