The mid-1980s marked a distinct, hyper-kinetic era for Hollywood cinema, a period when the sudden explosion of MTV transformed the visual language of studio filmmaking. Pop music and synchronized choreography were no longer just elements of the classic studio musical, but instead became the vital tissue driving youth culture on screen. Within this landscape, a fascinating intersection occurred when Sidney Poitier, an icon of classical Hollywood dignity, stepped behind the camera to direct the 1985 dance drama Fast Forward. Coming off a string of successful comedies, Poitier shifted gears to capture the neon-soaked, synth-driven energy of the decade, resulting in a film that remains a fascinating, earnest, and deeply rhythmic artifact of its time.
The narrative structure follows a blueprint that is comforting in its familiarity. A group of exceptionally talented, starry-eyed high school students from Sandusky, Ohio, calling themselves The Adventurous Eight, leave their small-town lives behind to journey to New York City. Led by Matt and Michael, the group has been promised a shot at a major talent competition by a prominent entertainment executive. Upon their arrival in the bustling, unforgiving metropolis, they discover a harsh truth, as the executive has passed away, the competition is delayed, and the new corporate management has little interest in a pack of untested Midwestern outsiders.
Faced with a three-week wait and dwindling funds, the troupe is forced to adapt quickly to survive. They secure a rundown apartment and begin performing on the streets and in high-end restaurants to earn money for food and rent. This setup allows Poitier to explore the classic fish out of water dynamic, contrasting the wholesome, disciplined work ethic of the Ohio teens with the gritty, competitive reality of the New York arts scene. The stakes rise significantly when the group visits a local hot spot called The Zoo, where they encounter a rival street-savvy dance crew that easily out-shines them with contemporary, aggressive breakdancing techniques. This defeat forces the group to completely reinvent their style, blending their traditional training with the raw energy of modern street dance to prepare for the ultimate showdown.
What sets Fast Forward apart from other mid-80s contemporaries like Flashdance or Breakin' is the distinct touch of Poitier's direction. While lesser directors might have leaned heavily into cynical exploitation, Poitier approaches the young performers with genuine respect and empathy. He infuses the production with an infectious optimism that balances out the predictable plot points. His camera work treats the dance sequences with a sense of geographic clarity. Instead of relying on rapid, disorienting edits to simulate energy, Poitier lets the camera linger on the performers, showcasing the physical prowess and synchronicity of the cast. The choreography feels urgent and athletic, capturing a specific moment when jazz, ballet, and street hip-hop were actively fusing into something entirely new.
The film is also heavily anchored by its sonic landscape, which functions as a time capsule of 1980s pop production. Featuring tracks produced by major industry heavyweights, the soundtrack keeps the momentum moving at a relentless pace. Standout musical moments elevate the emotional resonance of the rehearsal sequences. The synthesizers are bright, the basslines are propulsive, and the gated reverb on the percussion provides that iconic thumping heartbeat characteristic of the era. The music does not merely back the action, it dictates the visual rhythm of the entire piece, driving the narrative forward even when the script hits conventional speed bumps.
While the story beats are undeniably formulaic, tracking the standard trajectory of rejection, intensive training, romantic sideplots, and eventual triumph, the ensemble cast injects the film with substantial personality. The chemistry among the core eight dancers feels authentic, projecting a believable sense of camaraderie that likely mirrored their real-life experience rehearsing the grueling routines. Tamara Mark, playing June, brings a fierce determination to her role, serving as a strong emotional anchor for the group. The interactions with cynical city locals, including a memorable turn by Irene Worth as a wealthy resident who crosses paths with the teens, add a layer of texture to the urban backdrop, showing how art can occasionally bridge cultural and generational divides.
Viewed through a modern lens, the movie serves as a testament to the sheer ambition of 1980s studio filmmaking, where major companies were willing to fund high-energy, original musical properties driven by fresh talent. It is a work that values hard work, collective unity, and the transformative power of self-expression. Poitier's venture into the genre may have seemed unexpected on paper, but his steady directorial hand ensured that the film maintained a core dignity amidst the exploding synthesizers and brightly colored spandex. The movie does not offer a gritty documentary look at New York street life, but rather a stylized, theatrical playground where conflicts are settled through rhythmic precision and athletic showmanship.
For collectors of physical media and enthusiasts of retrospective pop culture, this vibrant piece of cinematic history is receiving a fitting home video tribute. On June 23, physical media collectors will be able to pick up a new Blu-ray release of Fast Forward that pays homage to the era of its birth. This special edition features retro packaging designed to emulate the look and feel of a classic VHS cassette, complete with a nostalgic slipcover that captures the aesthetic of wandering the aisles of a neighborhood video store. It is a perfect presentation for a film so deeply rooted in the video age, offering fans a chance to experience the high-definition restoration while celebrating the analog formats that originally helped cement the film's cult status.
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