2024 is a significant year, marking 30 years since the release of "Pulp Fiction" (Quentin Tarantino, 1994) and 35 years since "Look Who’s Talking Now" (Amy Heckerling, 1989). Additionally, 2023 marked 45 years since the release of "Grease" (Randal Kleiser, 1978), and 2022 marked 45 years since "Saturday Night Fever" (John Badham, 1977), as well as 15 years since the release of "Hairspray" (Adam Shankman, 2007) and the passing of the beloved Olivia Newton-John. What connects them all? John Travolta, who turned 70 on February 18th this year. Let’s explore how he shaped a new concept of female sexuality and male sensuality in "Saturday Night Fever." Like any other Thursday, let’s throwback!
It's worth highlighting that "Saturday Night Fever" was not Travolta’s Hollywood debut; instead, he first gained attention in the television movie “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” (Randal Kleiser, 1976). This was the same year as the release of the horror classic "Carrie" (Brian de Palma, 1976), where Travolta portrayed the jock bully Billy Nolan. However, "Saturday Night Fever" marked a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his place in the entertainment industry.
The movie holds significant cultural importance within the collective imagination of the 1970s, particularly with its portrayal of disco music and its impact on American culture. It notably contributed to the surge in popularity of the Bee Gees. Last Christmas, Travolta recreated its iconic opening sequence as Father Christmas, underscoring its enduring legacy. Let’s delve into this emblematic moment further.
In this scene, protagonist Tony Manero (John Travolta) is introduced, framed centrally within shots of the Brooklyn neighbourhood, accompanied by the iconic soundtrack of “Stayin’ Alive.” He sports a black leather jacket, an open red shirt, and tight pants, which serve as visual cues to his character’s cool and confident persona. These fashion choices also reflect the trends of the time and solidify his status as a style icon, influencing both his neighbourhood and the dance club scene. Additionally, his pompadour hairstyle is reminiscent of Elvis Presley, adding to his charismatic allure.
The use of angles in the scene effectively captures Tony's sway and charisma, drawing the viewer's attention to his magnetic presence. The colour red, prominently featured in Tony's shirt, carries symbolic weight, representing danger, passion, and power.
Moving forward to the scene where Tony Manero prepares for the discotheque, we observe mirror shots of him shirtless, meticulously fixing his hair. This scene highlights his embrace of masculine vanity and pioneering metrosexuality, pioneering a new standard of male grooming. This theme is not exclusive to Manero; it's also evident in Travolta's portrayal of Danny Zuko in "Grease," where grooming and appearance play significant roles in his character's persona.
The sequence of scenes mentioned marks Travolta's debut into a new concept of masculinity, signalling a departure from the rugged cowboy archetypes of the 1960s and ushering in the era of the complex urban hero in the 1970s, though some say masculinity was under crisis. This new masculinity is a blend of influences from his contemporaries, in his character’s bedroom, such as Al Pacino and Sylvester Stallone, whose characters are working class men mixed with Jackie Chan's physical prowess and action-oriented. Travolta draws upon the aesthetics of James Dean's iconic portrayal in "Rebel Without a Cause" (Nicholas Ray, 1955), embodying the charismatic bad boy persona that captivates audiences.
The mirror sequence of scenes holds significant symbolism within the film. Beyond its literal function, the reflecting surface implies a sense of ambiguity, reflecting the character's complex relationship with masculinity amidst toxic surroundings. These include his unsupportive father and obnoxious friends, who are entangled in gang wars, sexual assaults, homophobia, and racism. Additionally, the protagonist's attitude towards women, at times sexually inappropriate, is mirrored in these scenes, highlighting his internal struggles.
Moreover, the use of mirrors can be seen as a reflection of the broader societal context of the 1970s. This was a period of transition following the turbulent and revolutionary sixties. Notably, the second wave of feminism gained traction during this time, advocating for sexual liberation, reproductive rights, and women's health. However, it's important to acknowledge that these advancements often excluded minority groups. Despite this, the relevance of these themes persists today.
While "Saturday Night Fever" is celebrated for its cultural impact, it also falls short in terms of diversity and perpetuates stereotypes of the Italian community. These stereotypes include associations with religion, pasta/pizza, and a strong emphasis on family dynamics. Additionally, the film reinforces gender tropes, as evidenced by its failure to pass the Bechdel test, the portrayal of female characters facing disproportionate harm to motivate male characters (known as the "women in refrigerator" trope), the presence of only one significant female character among a predominantly male cast (the "smurfette trope") and the objectification.
However, it's worth noting that female characters in the film are portrayed as active and assertive in matters of sex, demonstrating attitude and promiscuity. Furthermore, the cinematography, particularly the shots mentioned earlier, can be interpreted as aligning with the male spectacle and female gaze, despite being directed through a masculine lens by John Badham. This juxtaposition could be seen as homoerotic, especially in scenes such as Tony's introduction in his red costume and his frequent cigar-smoking. However, there may also be slightly homophobic undertones associated with the colour red, which symbolizes both love and danger. It suggests the fluidity of gender too.
Overall, the movie solidified John Travolta’s persona on the silver screen, a presence that became even more notable two years later in "Grease." In Heckerling’s film, there's a notable emphasis on female sexuality, portrayed through a proper female gaze with a female protagonist whose point of view is from and the director. He is the desire from the main character.
Later in his career, particularly in collaborations with Tarantino, there was a shift towards roles focusing on him as a gangster, Vincent Vega with a long hairstyle and holding a phallic object. He adopts from masculinity traditional tropes with an unconventional take to deconstruct and provide a commentary. Long hair has frequently been perceived as feminine or non-conforming to traditional gender roles. The juxtaposition of long hair with Vega's portrayal as a gangster creates an intriguing tension between traditional notions of masculinity and contemporary interpretations. However, it's important to acknowledge that the portrayal of long hair in these roles may also carry undertones of homophobia or transphobia, particularly when combined with other elements like wielding a weapon. These associations reflect societal biases and stereotypes that link non-conforming gender expression with deviance or threat.
In "Hairspray," Travolta's portrayal of crossdressing explores themes of gender expression as Edna Tumbland, one more time blurring gender boundary, though transphobic undertone as a comical relief character and exaggerated stereotypes.
Travolta's public image has often been subject to assumptions about his sexuality, with his charismatic sway becoming the target of fake news and unnecessary hate in previous decades. His legacy extends beyond his roles, as he has become an icon of both female and male sexuality and sensuality, challenging gender norms, and paving the way for other stars.
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