All That Jazz is a dazzling musical movie about Joe Gideon, a talented but overworked director who loves showbiz. He dances, sings, and dreams big, but his wild lifestyle makes him very sick. Through flashy songs and dreamy scenes, the film shows his struggles and imagination. It’s funny, sad, and full of energy—like a circus inside his mind! 🎭🎶✨
All That Jazz
Runtime: 2 Hours 3 Minutes
Audience Rating: 8.7/10
Critics Rating: 8.8/10
Genre: Drama and Musical
Rating: R
Release Date: 01 January 1979
Original Language: English
Production House: Columbia Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Page Last Updated On: 27 July 2025
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Review:
Movie Review: All That Jazz (1979)
All That Jazz is a dazzling, emotional, and sometimes wild movie about life, art, and the cost of chasing perfection. Directed by Bob Fosse, who also helped create famous musicals like Chicago and Cabaret, this film feels very personal—almost like a diary brought to life.
The story follows Joe Gideon (played by Roy Scheider), a talented but troubled director and choreographer. He works hard, stays up late, chain-smokes, and pushes his body to the limit while preparing for a big Broadway show. At the same time, he’s also editing a movie, dealing with family problems, and struggling with his health. Joe loves his work, but his lifestyle is slowly destroying him.
One of the most interesting parts of the movie is how it mixes reality with fantasy. Joe often imagines conversations with a mysterious woman in white (Jessica Lange), who acts like an angel of death, calmly discussing his life and mistakes. These dreamlike scenes make the movie feel like a mix of a musical, a drama, and a dark fairy tale.
The musical numbers are spectacular—full of energy, bright lights, and incredible dancing. Even if you’re not a fan of musicals, you might find yourself amazed by the choreography. The songs are catchy, and the way they blend into Joe’s real-life struggles makes them even more powerful. One of the most famous scenes is the opening, where Joe prepares for his day while listening to "On Broadway" and taking pills to keep going. It’s funny, sad, and exciting all at once.
Roy Scheider gives an unforgettable performance as Joe. He makes the character charming, funny, and deeply flawed. You can see the exhaustion in his eyes, but also the passion that keeps him going. The supporting cast is great too, especially Ann Reinking as Kate, Joe’s girlfriend and dancer, who loves him but can’t save him from himself.
The movie doesn’t shy away from showing the dark side of show business. Joe is brilliant, but he’s also selfish, reckless, and sometimes cruel to the people who care about him. The film asks: Is art worth destroying yourself for? Can you be a genius and still be happy? These are big questions, and the movie doesn’t give easy answers.
Visually, All That Jazz is stunning. The editing is fast and flashy, making the dance scenes even more thrilling. The camera moves like it’s part of the dance, sweeping across stages and zooming in on tired faces. Even the hospital scenes, where Joe’s health gets worse, are filmed in a way that feels dreamy and strange.
The ending is one of the most talked-about parts of the film—it’s bold, emotional, and stays with you long after the movie is over. Without giving too much away, it’s a mix of sadness and celebration, showing the price of a life lived at full speed.
All That Jazz isn’t a simple, happy musical—it’s deeper and more complicated than that. It’s about love, regret, and the struggle to create something beautiful. Some parts might be too intense for younger kids (there are adult themes and some strong language), but older children and teens who love music and drama might find it fascinating.
If you enjoy movies that make you think while also entertaining you with amazing performances and music, All That Jazz is a must-watch. It’s funny, heartbreaking, and unforgettable—just like life itself.
Bob Fosse
(Writer)
Jessica Lange
as Angelique
(Actor)
Ann Reinking
as Kate Jagger
(Actor)
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Leland Palmer
as Audrey Paris
(Actor)
Cliff Gorman
as Davis Newman
(Actor)
Ben Vereen
as O'Connor Flood
(Actor)
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Erzsebet Foldi
as Michelle Gideon
(Actor)
Michael Tolan
as Dr. Ballinger
(Actor)
Max Wright
as Joshua Penn
(Actor)
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William La Messena
as Jonesy Hecht
(Actor)
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Irene Kane
as Leslie Perry
(Actor)
Deborah Geffner
as Victoria
(Actor)
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Kathryn Doby
as Kathryn
(Actor)
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Anthony Holland
as Paul Dann
(Actor)
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Robert Hitt
as Ted Christopher
(Actor)
David Margulies
as Larry Goldie
(Actor)
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Susan Brooks
as Stacy
(Actor)
Keith Gordon
as Young Joe
(Actor)
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Robert Alan Arthur
(Producer)
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Wolfgang Glattes
(First Assistant Director)
Daniel Melnick
(Executive Producer)
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Kenneth Utt
(Production Manager)
Antonio Vivaldi
(Music)
Giuseppe Rotunno
(Cinematographer)
Alan Heim
(Film Editing)
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Howard Feuer
(Casting)
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Jeremy Ritzer
(Casting)
Philip Rosenberg
(Production Design)
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Gary J. Brink
(Set Decoration)
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Edward Stewart
(Set Decoration)
Albert Wolsky
(Costume Design)
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Fern Buchner
(Makeup Artist)
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Romaine Greene
(Hair Stylist)
Roy Scheider
as Joe Gideon
(Actor)
