An extremely talented young cast shines in this “energetic musical romp” (Los Angeles Times)about a drama camp where the outcasts of today hone their skills to become the stars of tomorrow. Packed with romance, laughs and “genuine showstopping musical numbers” (The Washington Post), Camp is a “Blast of exuberant fun” (Rolling Stone)! Every summer, talented kids with big voices and even bigger dreams flock to Camp Ovation. But this year, a sexy new guy, Vlad (DanielLetterle), is not only stealing the show he’s stealing the heart of every girl he encounters. And as the biggest day of camp approaches, the young performers must overcome backstabbing, unrequited love and Vlad’s unpredictable libido to pull off the greatest show of their careers!Charming and frequently hilarious, IFC Films’ Camp is like Fame for the musical-theater set. It’s set at Camp Ovation, a summer retreat for budding actors and singers who chant Stephen Sondheim’s “Losing My Mind” on their bus rather than “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” Into this environment comes a–gasp!–straight male, Vlad (Daniel Letterle), who turns upside down the lives of wallflower Ellen (Joanna Chilcoat), cross-dressing Michael (Robin DeJesus), and instructor Bert Hanley (Don Dixon), a frustrated one-hit-wonder composer. Camp was written and directed by Todd Graff, himself a Broadway veteran, based on his experiences at New York’s musical camp Stagedoor Manor (which was attended by Natalie Portman and Robert Downey Jr., among others). The characters are a bit thin and the plot somewhat predictable, but the musical numbers are a lot of fun–older tunes are mixed with originals by Stephen Trask (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Michael Gore (Fame), and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical the Musical)–and fans of musicals will love the many inside jokes, especially those relating to Sondheim. –David Horiuchi
March 6, 2008
#1
Phew. It’s over, I can leave the theatre and go home. My wife worked at Stage Door Manor, where this was filmed – when I visited her I saw loads of VERY talented kids and some excellent shows. None of them were present when this absolutely dreadful movie was made. The story, characters, situations etc all reek of cliche. The direction is slow and boring, the photography is stunningly bad (as is the acting) and the whole film a total mess.
The dialogue had me and most of the audience I was with in (unintentional) giggles and the the purile story (which we’ve all seen so many times before) was the final straw. Yes, the film is funny, but not on purpose. It’s one of those “so bad it’s a must see” movies.
My wife wanted the dvd (nostaligia value) so here we are. The thought of the extended and deleted scenes is terrifying!! There’s more of the movie? Horror of horrors. I will not be viewing the dvd when it arrives.
Take my advice, ignore all the other reviews that like this turkey. They’re mad. Watch any other movie instead – you’ll be doing yourself the biggest favour ever.
March 6, 2008
#2
Talk about your bad mistakes. I meant to rent “Ray”, and somehow this steaming pile of dung ended up in my hands. No lie, this whole movie’s budget should have been used to buy food for homeless bums, at least then some good would have resulted from this putrid piece of garbage. I don’t say this cause I hate gays, I say it cause I hate dialogue that sounds like it was written by a half-drunk eight-year-old. The acting by the guy named Vlad was stiffer than a wooden plank, and there are so many retarded story lines going on at the same time that you find yourself not giving a rip about if any of these people ended up jumping off a five story building. Do yourself a favor and spend two hours beating your head against a metal pole, cause you will be smarter than watching this movie.
March 6, 2008
#3
This has got to be the worst movie EVER. The only fun character in the WHOLE thing is Fritzy – a girl that takes down the competition – an “evil blonde” of course, who i guess was supposed to be pretty. Maybe 10 minutes total. Much centers around the only “straight”(or isn’t he?) guy in camp, a male slut with some mental problems. He sleeps w/ “the Evil girl”, dates “the ugly girl”(who only supports the idea that ugly girls are desperate) out of pity, and flirts + suggests w/ “the sad gay guy” out of pity – everything and anything to trick people into liking him. The character of “Micheal” was the only sympathetic or likeable character, w/ a sad, lonely gay life with no parental support.
There really is no ending. Endings generally resolve things that happened, make people stronger, and punish the bad characters. Not here. One of the background characters gets closure w/ her parents, and camp ends. Don’t expect to see honesty, drama, ANY consequences of actions, or anything that may interest you.
This film is extremely empty. You WILL fast forward through SOO much like i did.
Good points? Character “Fritzy” and her triumph over the EVIL, “Megan” – great voice and very pretty.
March 6, 2008
#4
Most of the movie is okay, even enjoyable. However I have to give it one star because I am so disgusted with the moral, which seems to be: It’s better to be in a relationship with someone who has no respect for you, no intention of being faithful, and will dump you the second someone prettier comes along than it is to be by yourself.
That’s sick and it infuriates me, so I cannot have fond memories of this movie. Save your time.
March 6, 2008
#5
If watching a bunch of high-strung theatre star wannabes prancing around and hissing at one another is what you’re in the mood for, “Camp” is made to order. I happened to be in the mood for it, but even so found that it tested my patience. For one thing, it’s way too long for its subject matter. For another thing, it’s all over the place as far as plot goes, with no dramatic center to anchor the story. O.k., I wasn’t expecting “Citizen Kane,” (hell, I wasn’t even expecting “Legally Blonde”), but I do like my movies to be written with a modicum of competency. “Camp” flounders from one scene to the next, sort of focusing on three principal characters but not really even doing that, climaxing in a flashy dance number that looks like the final scene from “All That Jazz” mixed with an episode of “Star Search.”
What this movie is good for, however, are the musical numbers. Seeing teenagers belt out songs from “Follies” and “Company” is admittedly fun. And there are some life-affirming lessons about being true to yourself, etc., but these are even more diluted than your average after-school special.
There are worse ways to spend a couple of hours, but you might want to consider re-watching “Fame” instead.
Grade: C