Star 80 (1983) Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: Star 80
Year: 1983
Director: Bob Fosse
Country: US
Language: English

Acclaimed choreographer and director Bob Fosse's last film, Star 80 is a a bleak tale of obsession, both for fame and romance, swathed in questions regarding public persona and the exploitation of women. It is relevant, which perhaps makes it even more depressing, because it reflects our society's current and past desire to consume the nude bodies of young women. 

Star 80 documents the life and tragic death of Playboy centerfold Dorothy Stratten (Mariel Hemingway) at the hands of her obsessive ex-husband, Paul Snider (Eric Roberts).

 1979’s All That Jazz was a testament to Fosse’s life and career, along with the doubts and guilt he felt about getting older. Star 80 continues that “What if…” element of his career, albeit with absolutely nothing positive or cathartic present. It has a completely different feel from the rest of his filmography yet touches on the same themes regarding destructive masculinity and torturous relationships. 

Eric Roberts plays the insidious Paul Snider; a man who is obsessed with fame and whose charm always feels fake. He’s the spider setting the web for the innocent fly, in this case, Dorothy. He isn’t just chilling but there’s an added layer of fear for his portrayal of an emotionally manipulative and abusive husband.Though the story is about Dorothy's life, we never get a sense that she is an agent of free-will. Fosse presents us a toxic relationship that is all too present in our society. It is emotionally gripping because this abuse isn't far-fetched, it has happened to at least a couple of people we all know. 

Fosse never tells us what we should do with this revealing information. There are countless Paul Snider’s out there in the world. How do we rid this destructive masculinity? How do we cease a society that treats women's bodies as a consumption for male pleasure? The social commentary is welcoming, especially since this could have easily been made into a straight-forward biography. Star 80 is difficult to watch, but very intriguing.