The one time I get the chance to see old films is when I am ill. And having had the flu for the last few days (still recovering btw, but feeling a lot better) I took the opportunity to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Saturday Night Fever. And watching the latter I realised I still really like the film.

The basic story is simple: boy has crappy job, slightly dysfunctional family, and passion for dancing. Boy is popular with the girls, but sets his sights on one girl who doesn't really want him. Then a fight scene, and a dance scene and the scene where it becomes obvious boy wants to get a 'better life'.

I grew up in the 70's. It was not a pretty time. But it had a certain innocence, not just because I was under 10, but because many things in life seemed simple and straightforward. Tony, the main character, doesn't dream of making big money, or being a star, he just wants to dance and to get a little ahead in life. Even sex was simple. And the fashion was awful, but simple. And not as phoney as the 80's fashion. Where 80's fashion did focus on status and brand names, 70's fashion could be glamorous without being expensive (which is why some of the fashion looks like home-crocheted shawls).

Of course the film focuses on disco music. And I am not a fan of disco music. But it can be so easy to listen to, and I can imagine how it freed people to dance to. Still, from the film, I got the idea there were many stylised dances, as if it imitated classical ballroom dancing. And that is reflected again in the many disco versions of well known classical numbers.

So why is this film still so watchable? Because it doesn't ask anything more than just to sit back and let it wash over you. Which is why it was such a good choice to watch when I was feeling so ill. Better than The Phantom Menace, because I fell asleep during that one. Again.