Music in the Cabaret - Movie Review Example

This, in my opinion, is a very effective device in transforming the movie into an interesting and original take on what otherwise could have been a very standardized movie. Unlike most other musicals, it also integrates songs into the narrative, to elaborate and comment on the storyline, instead of isolating them as separate elements. The setting of the movie in Berlin in the 1930s and the focus on nightlife and romantic relationships sets the movie up for some unexpected musical numbers.

Instead of the nightlife being portrayed as a blissful escape from the impending horrors of the outside world, it is shown as extremely seedy and somewhat distasteful in its’ indulgence of decadent behaviour. One of the first musical numbers is a flirtatious, provocative number, performed by the protagonist, Sally Bowles. The song ‘Cabaret’, perhaps the most well-known of all the musical numbers in the movie, is in my opinion, the darkest and most effective song performed. The lyrics and performance of the song are high-spirited, careless and jovial, utterly contrasting with the environment within the movie – both geographically and within the seedy Kit Kat Klub itself.

The way in which the songs provide a commentary for the movie, and are integrated within the dialogue, to an extent, is a useful technique. Instead of being separated from the development of the movie, they are made a part of the development, elaborating on information, feelings and occurrences, much in the same way as spoken dialogue. This provides another interesting and effective use of song, which makes the movie stand out as an original creation. Another effective use of the song can be found in the contrast between the opening and closing performances of the song ‘Willkommen’.

In the beginning, it is performed in a positive, excited tone. By contrast, at the end of the movie, it is given a much harsher and violent execution which reflects the tone in the movies final scenes. In my opinion, the use of songs in the movie Cabaret is a thoughtful and effective device. The contrast that the light-hearted songs create against the dark background only serves to highlight the troubles and impending doom of the outside world, as the contrast is so starkly sharp. The integration of the songs within the development of the story as narrative devices also provides the movie with interesting and original aspects which work with the story to successfully impact the audience.