Saturday Night Fever

Name: Saturday Night Fever
Genre: Drama, Romance, Music
Released: December 16, 1977
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 77
Cast: John Travolta

1977

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 121 Ratings

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8.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 121 Ratings

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Saturday Night Fever

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 16, 1977 | PG

Starring: John Travolta

Summary: John Travolta stars as a local disco kingpin at the peak of his popularity. Once a week, after six full days of work in a Brooklyn paint store, Tony (Travolta) douses himself with Brut cologne, dons a floral bodyshirt, gabardine pants and platform shoes - and ritualistically prepares himself for "Saturday Night Fever." Through the influenceJohn Travolta stars as a local disco kingpin at the peak of his popularity. Once a week, after six full days of work in a Brooklyn paint store, Tony (Travolta) douses himself with Brut cologne, dons a floral bodyshirt, gabardine pants and platform shoes - and ritualistically prepares himself for "Saturday Night Fever." Through the influence of Stephanie - his more sophisticated dance partner - and Tony's brother - a disillusioned priest - Tony begins to question the way his views life and the narrowness of his perspective. (Paramount Pictures)… Expand

Director: John Badham

Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Music

Rating: PG

Runtime: 118 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Gene Siskel

One minute into Saturday Night Fever you know this picture is onto something, that it knows what it's talking about. [15 Oct 1999, Siskel Years, p.6]

Roger Ebert

It's also interesting to see how little screen time the final disco competition really has, considering how large it looms in our memories. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Travolta molds what could have been an equally obvious character into a substantial, tragic figure. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Non Credited)

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. Read full review

Dave Kehr

A small, solid film, made with craft if not resonance. Read full review

Elvis Mitchell

Fever beings to flag when, after an initial hour filled with high spirits and jubilant music, it settles down to tell its story; the effect is so deflating that it's almost as though another Monday has rolled around and it's time to get back to work. [16 Dec 1977]

Staff (Not Credited)

The clumsy story lurches forward through predictable travail and treacle, separated by phonograph records (or vice versa). Read full review

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User Reviews

JohnTravolta321

Aug 19, 2016

After reading all the reviews, the one by Gareth from Disco Mountain hits it right on the head. I loved it when it came out almost 25 years ago, I think it's a masterpiece now. There's no dead space in that movie. When you consider all the issues raised, it's astounding that more peopleAfter reading all the reviews, the one by Gareth from Disco Mountain hits it right on the head. I loved it when it came out almost 25 years ago, I think it's a masterpiece now. There's no dead space in that movie. When you consider all the issues raised, it's astounding that more people don't see the authenticity and humanity within all the flaws of the characters. What Badham did was create a seamless integration of many contemporary themes, and they still hold today in some other neighborhood anywhere in the world. First, it has some of the most natural dialogue ever written. Gritty and powerful and sexy. When I first saw it, I reacted to it with passion. Today, I see the brilliant writing and directing, and those issues! feminism, racism, class consciousness, family dysfunction, religious uncertainty, teenage angst, the inevitable changes encroaching the neighborhood. And all these social commentaries to the beat of nonstop, exhilirating music. The apathy and despair in the family scenes alone go right to the gut. I know these people! Finally, blend that in with those great Brooklyn accents, the dancing, Travolta and company, and you've got one of the most authentic movies made in the last 25 years.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

EvanW.

May 22, 2004

I always enjoy watching Saturday Night Fever. It's not my favourite film though, even if all my friends make out that it's more than a favourite to them than I can imagine. The film isn't at an obvious level worthy of being filmed, or for that matter capable of being seen as I always enjoy watching Saturday Night Fever. It's not my favourite film though, even if all my friends make out that it's more than a favourite to them than I can imagine. The film isn't at an obvious level worthy of being filmed, or for that matter capable of being seen as an art work. I may be one of a few individuals who think this movie is still good enough to watch during 2004, even though it probably seems to everybody concerned as if we are worth much more this time round.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Trailesque

Oct 10, 2018

A hugely successful film that spread disco music and dancing all around the land, SNF stands tall as an image of its place (Brooklyn, NY), its people (working class Italian-Americans), and its times (late 1970s.) It was based on a magazine article that turned out to have been mostly fake,A hugely successful film that spread disco music and dancing all around the land, SNF stands tall as an image of its place (Brooklyn, NY), its people (working class Italian-Americans), and its times (late 1970s.) It was based on a magazine article that turned out to have been mostly fake, but that doesn't detract from what was eventually created here. John Travolta is brilliant in the lead role - he successfully conveys Tony Manero's charisma, ambition, and vulnerability. The other actors are less impressive unfortunately. Some of it is melodramatic and out of date for sure, but it is still a powerful movie and a good candidate for a 1970s time capsule.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hornysoul

Sep 22, 2018

John Travolta fez um trabalho brilhante neste filme clássico de dança. Embora o "Grease" seja o meu predileto, este filme ficará sempre na minha memória. Travolta é o modelo de homem (quase) perfeito, que desliza entre a masculinidade e o talento na pista de dança.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

NobodyYouKnow

Oct 6, 2020

Please don't pay attention to the *awful* trailer used here on Metacritic. This movie is really a character study about people living what they feel are dead-end lives. They (specifically Travolta's character, Tony) use the nightclub as a place to try to elevate their status and give somePlease don't pay attention to the *awful* trailer used here on Metacritic. This movie is really a character study about people living what they feel are dead-end lives. They (specifically Travolta's character, Tony) use the nightclub as a place to try to elevate their status and give some meaning to what feels like a meaningless life. It's surprisingly moving, especially as Tony starts to show his vulnerability. SNF made Travolta a superstar not merely by association with the music craze but by his ability to convincingly convey the nuances of Tony's character.

The music and dancing became a cultural phenomenon and is, of course, dated now. If you look past the disco stereotypes and focus on the characters, you'll find this to be a movie with an emotional impact that still resonates.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CritiqueGirl

Mar 4, 2011

It was a 10 in the 70's but now, not so much. It was the disco era and it almost couldn't miss. The dancing is very good but the story line is so-so. Coming of age and so on.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Scorpion

May 10, 2013

This is typical bad movie, everything about it is bad, the plot ridiculously vulgar, full of holes and end meaningless horribly stereotyped characters, the abuse of the same song for several times, the glamorization of the dance scenes has no limits provalmente this is the most pointlessThis is typical bad movie, everything about it is bad, the plot ridiculously vulgar, full of holes and end meaningless horribly stereotyped characters, the abuse of the same song for several times, the glamorization of the dance scenes has no limits provalmente this is the most pointless films already made.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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