Svengali

There are few things more entertaining then an unintentionally funny film. Very few. Fewer still are films that fall into this category. If a film is trying to be funny it is not unintentional now is it? This was supposed to be serious. This starred Peter O'toole and of course Ms. Foster. The two of them were still reeling from Calligula and Hinkley respectively and therefore were in no position to turn down work, at least that is what I keep telling myself. Svengali is the story of a singer, a female singer in a band called, get this "The restless nights." A talent scout is in the audience with the big time singing instructor (Otoole) when the nights come on, fronted by Jodie Foster, in all her glory. She sings. She really sings. No really...it's her...not someone else, she is belting out a number that must be heard to be believed, I will spare you the gory details of the lyrics, it suffices to say they were far from great. O'toole takes on the challenge of teaching the little songbird to sing. He works and works and finally says "tell the whole city" they run to the roof of the building and Foster sings on the roof. I am not making this up. She sings. EXACTLY THE SAME WAY SHE HAS BEEN SINGING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF THE FILM!!! Not one note has changed, but never mind that. Oh god..she hits number one...she starts an affair with Peter O'toole, her X boyfriend quips "I didn't know you were into wrinkles" AAAAAARRRRGHHHH!!!!! I am giving this film 10 stars, just like Showgirls. Foster is the greatest film actress ever. Ever Ever. This is one of the greatest bad films ever.....Ever....Ever....You just gotta see this...ya just gotta. PS look for Holly Hunter in this, if you can spot her E-mail me, you need to get a life.

Two of the greatest - playing together. They are doing it so good, that I can remember THEM; not especially the plot in the movie; but Toole and Forster WAUW! Their emotions became so real!

I watched this well over 30 years ago and have just rewatched.

Peter O'toole's performance was memorable and that is why i sought it out for a second viewing.

Well worth watching for his performance alone. Brilliant.

Most of the people that have seen it, will not have anything bad to say about the performances of the leading actors. Yet, it is obvious that Foster cannot sing, and that O'Toole is being Bela Lugosi, the star of the early Dracula films.

Nevertheless, it is not their fault if in the late seventies they were asked to star in such a tremendously average and weak movie about a young rock star in the making whose mentor is a tough Hungarian and former musical star. Eventually, the 50 year old becomes romantically involved with the 22 year old, and I hate the way in all these movies in the end they actually do 'make it' as they say in the film, but there is never just a strong admiration or platonic love. It would have kept O'Toole's character interesting, before it too crumbles down and becomes a sad little human being.

Anyways, it's free on youtube somewhere so check it out there, though mind you, you could be bored to hell with, particularly every time O'Toole is away from the action.

George L. Du Maurier's novel "Trilby", first filmed as "Svengali" in 1931 with John Barrymore and Marian Marsh, gets an embarrassing '80s make-over here, with New York bar-band singer Jodie Foster discovered and sent to vocal tutor extraordinaire Peter O'Toole for refinement. They share a begrudging relationship at first, accented by ego-mad Svengali O'Toole's stormy temperament, until Foster's Zoe eventually lands a record deal--putting into question her need to rely on this man who has come to be her mentor and love-interest. Well-produced for television, the movie gets off to a good start but eventually flags, with Foster unconvincing as a vocalist and O'Toole looking ragged and disinterested. There's a funny bit performance by a young Holly Hunter (whose screws are so loose, she clashes with the relatively somber tone of this piece), and Elizabeth Ashley has some fine moments near the beginning before she is unceremoniously lost in the shuffle.