A movie that was better and more life-changing than it had any right to be.
Certain moments that begin to take on a grander meaning as society changes and grows.
These are all the things inGreaseyou only notice as an adult.
In flashback, it’s fine.
“-style piece about the cast back in 2016.
For clarity, the yearGreasewas released, the youngest cast member wasJohn Travoltaat 24.
Stockard Channing was 34, Jeff Conaway was 28, andOlivia Newton-Johnwas 30.
But watched with modern eyes, the sexual politics in particular really don’t sit too well.
From “what’s up, Kenick?
In fact, most of the banter between Rizzo and Kenickie is comprised of back-and-forth dirty talk.
Rizzo is, arguably, the worst culprit, particularly when it comes to ribbing other people.
He ignores her protestations and tells her it’s only making it better.
Screaming at him to stop doesn’t work so, naturally, she resorts to violence.
And we, as an audience, are supposed to feel bad for Danny as a result.
And so much of their dynamic is communicated without words.
the ones featuring adults in charge).
What does this line in Grease mean anyway?
That is, if it even registered in the first place.
Is it a reference to bras (i.e.
“her nets”)?
Is that even a real term for bras that people use?
Is it another innuendo?
Some weird ’50s slang that nobody gets half a century later?
The answer is actually much more interesting.
From the outset, Rizzo is not interested in taking part in the conversations surrounding Sandy’s summer romance.
One of the standout lyrics sees Kenickie asking Danny, “Did she put up a fight?”
Everybody just carries on dancing and singing jovially like it’s a perfectly reasonable question.
But lines like “Did you get very far?”
How much say did Sandy have in these seaside activities anyway?!
Rizzo is the most layered and nuanced female character, brilliantly played by a raw and committed Stockard Channing.
A final showdown sees their sworn enemies beaten and disgraced atThunder Roadthanks to a tricky body of water.
Before that, though, there’s a moment at the pep rally that demands a closer look.
On the surface, it isn’t too much of an incident.
The Scorpions cruise by and the T-Birds wonder aloud if they want to “rumble.”
And then, it happens.
Kenickie, smelling a fight in the air, whips out his trusty knife.
Doody, in direct contrast to this,pulls outa little yellow water gun.
At that very same carnival, there’s a pie-throwing game in service of the teachers' retirement fund.
The students might be slackers,but the teachers really care.
exchange at the slumber party, and all her other little reactions.
So, he tried to roofie her.
It’s like a non-event when it really shouldn’t be becausewow.
In a movie loaded with backwards sexual politics, this song is remarkably ahead of its time.
On its surface, it’s a plaintive romantic ballad about how screwed up she is.
But, let’s face it, she still has tochange a whole lotmore than he does.
Theirromanceisn’t even the most captivating.
Putz and Jan have a much sweeter courtship, as do Doody and Frenchie.
Even Marty and Sonny make more of an effort with each other.
Sandy and Danny are doomed.
