Saturday Night Fever

Friday, January 25 - Saturday, January 26, 2013

DCP projection

“John Travolta’s heartfelt portrayal of Tony Manero, a directionless young clerk in a Brooklyn paint store, catapulted him to stardom. Refusing to compete with his seminarian brother (Martin Shakar) for his father’s approval, Tony lives for the weekend, strutting his stuff on the disco dance floor with his girlfriend, Annette (Donna Pescow), whom he shuns after meeting Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney), an upwardly mobile, smart-stepping miss who becomes his partner for a big dance contest. Tony’s tempestuous relationship with Stephanie, his desertion of Annette, and the pleasures and problems of his neighborhood buddies make up the rest of the film, which reaches its tragic climax in a scene at the Verrazano Bridge, where Bobby C. (Barry Miller), overcome with worries about the baby he has fathered out of wedlock, precariously scales the bridge.

“The story here is really secondary to character and milieu, as director John Badham and his actors create a convincing portrait of frustrated 1970s working-class youth and the escape offered by the swirling lights and pulsing rhythms of the disco. Although technically not a musical — no one in the cast sings — this highly energized film has more songs than many musicals proper, most courtesy of the Bee Gees, who reached their creative and popular apex here.” – TV Guide

• Rating R
• Year 1977
• Running Time 118 minutes
• Director John Badham

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.