Movie Analysis: A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line revolves around a Broadway show director who puts his singers and dancers through a gruelling audition process. Even though it’s a tough audition with many talented people to compete for the roles, they all wanted to be a part of it so badly not only because it was job for them but because of the one directing it – Zach, the director who’s known to be a great director.
From that scene alone, the Chorus line may not be the reason why some auditioned. It may be because of the “Source” or the one directing it. Someone who has great reputation in theatre and would produce a show where they might be known, just like what Peripheral Route in cognitive routes tell us- they are persuaded not because of the content but because of the source.The movie started with the audition where you will see how people strive to be a part of the show. There was no room for mediocrity in it and everyone should have their best foot forward otherwise they’ll get cut off from production.
You’ll observe the degree of motivation and self esteem on how they took failure and success when some are picked and some are not. Those who have low self esteem looks at others with envy and looks at themselves with inferiority when they start to compare themselves to other.
In this case Social Comparison is inevitable when faced in a situation full of people who has the same passion but different experience, age, gender, background and culture in which the casts is comprise of- from 17 to 30 years old; man, woman and gay, Puerto Rican, American, Black, Jew and so on.
This tends to develop self perception but if you have low self esteem (How you evaluate yourself), self schema (how you see yourself) and self efficacy (belief in your competency), this likely leads to giving up.
You’ll see how badly one wants to be part of it. Larry, the choreographer is the one responsible in pooling for the best dancers however and while the audition was ongoing, Cassie – former girlfriend of Zach and dancer who left him to go to Hollywood to become an actress came to audition and that’s where the past came flashing back.
There were large numbers of hopefuls audition, hoping to be selected but throughout the day, more and more people are eliminated, and the competition gets harder. Eventually, approximately a dozen dancers must compete for a few spots, each hoping to impress the director with their dancing skill. But this isn’t what Zach is looking for.
They were first asked to introduce themselves, their stage and real name, where they come from and their age. The first one asked about his background is Morales- when asked to tell about what’s not in her resume, what she can say about the Bronx she said that it’s just in the right side and what makes her start dancing she replied, “Who knows, we’re Puerto Rican, we jump around a lot” and “Of course, I want the job”. He said he will shake them up to know who they really are because their Self Presentation they did was to get sold, not to be known to fit to the roles the director had in mind.
Everyone stayed for the audition and started with Mike- who danced because of the influence of his sister who’s enrolled in a dance class and told himself that “He can do that” and started dancing. His character showed high self esteem and self efficacy that’s why he’s highly motivated and confident when asked about his back ground.
Bobby was asked about his family- his mother has a lot of card parties and father was part of a big company. He described himself to be strange, he told about his experiences as a child and student, his father didn’t know how to present him to the public that he was presented to have a polio, he thought about committing suicide but this would be in their town “redundant”. His experience made him who he was that day- striving to build his self esteem up.
Shiela was asked about his mother who lived a middle aged life. The red shoes- changed her life. Her mother married her father when she was 22 and it wasn’t a life of a picnic she said. This made her become the aggressive that she is. Everything was beautiful in the ballet- where she found happiness and herself. Bebe and Maggie shared the same sentiments about their families that ballet is the only escape they have. Dance basically brought their self worth back.
Mark talked about sex and his first wet dreams, others thought about theirs too. This is where Don told everyone that he’s gay and Richie sang “surprise” where he talked about his experience about sex.
Eventually, only 8 were picked for the production but those who weren’t picked didn’t come out sad. The whole experience taught them a lot about themselves that it boosts their Self Concept- understanding why they dance and who they dance for in the first place- which is for them not for other people regardless of their past.
