Opened: December 13, 1985

Directed by: Richard Attenborough

Starring: Michael Douglas, Alyson Reed, Terrence Mann, Sharon Brown, Michael Blevins, Yamil Borges, Jan Gan Boyd, Gregg Burge, Cameron English, Tony Fields, Audrey Landers, Nicole Fosse, Vicki Frederick, Michelle Johnston, Janet Jones, Pam Klinger, Charles McGowan, Justin Ross, Blane Savage & Matt West

Taking a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical focusing on theater actors on a stage wasn’t going to be an easy feat, and this film couldn’t rise to the challenge.

Director/choreographer Zach (Michael Douglas) auditions actors to be part of the chorus line of a new musical. He has them share their life stories through his questions.

The problem with this film is that A Chorus Line shouldn’t have been made into a film. What makes the stage show emotionally gripping is the intimacy of being in a theater where the auditions would happen and the stories unfold.

By taking Cassie (Alyson Reed) out of the line for a majority of the film and focusing on her and Zach’s relationships, there are special moments taken away from other characters. By the end, some still aren’t recognizable.

Final say: Not a singular sensation. ★★☆☆☆