In its time, "Sweet Charity", the film, was a financial flop. The critical reviews were mixed. Anyone who saw the stage production probably regards that version as better.
Bob Fosse, choreographer and first-time director, certainly is responsible for the film. As a neophyte, he might have been intrigued by the new possibilities of film, and over-directed. The result is an inharmonious story about a young woman who is free-spirited and full of optimism, to her own detriment. She can only see the good in others, even when others are up to no good.
Regarding the choreography, it is very stylized, which is a Fosse hallmark. And he can be given credit for a superior troupe of dancers. The precision of the dances suggest a tremendous rigor, for which he should also be credited.
Oddly enough, one of the main shortfalls of the production is the undermining of the dance numbers by the director's style. One would expect Fosse to be well aware of how a dance should be filmed (Astaire certainly knew), but he employs too many cuts, shortchanging the beauty of the choreography. And too often he fails to show the full figure of the dancer---like a director filming an inadequate dancer---which is a shame.
Fosse created some wonderful, memorable choreography during his career, so it is disappointing that some of the choreography in "Sweet Charity" is derivative. Watch Ann-Margret in "Bye Bye Birdie" or "Viva Las Vegas" to see some of the same moves used in "The Aloof" and other sections that, for some reason, are titled.
Another shortcoming is the sound, which seems to be overdubbed in a coffee can.
Shirley MacLaine, who plays Charity, gives a mixed performance. I don't know if she was the best actress for the role, but the direction can only be considered a handicap to overcome for any actress. When I watch the film, I wonder what it could have been if Streisand had starred (with less dancing).
For better dance, see "West Side Story". For a better film adaptation, watch "Cabaret".
I enjoyed the ending. Charity is a romantic who is always looking for a guy to rescue her, but there is redemption after all.
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