All That Jazz (film) "an essentially funny movie that seeks to operate on too many levels at the same time... some of it makes you wince, but a lot of it is great fun... A key to the success of the production is the performance of Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon... With an actor of less weight and intensity, "All That Jazz" might have evaporated as we watched it. Mr. Scheider's is a presence to reckon with." "Variety" described it as "a self-important, egomaniacal, wonderfully choreographed, often compelling film" and added, "Roy Scheider gives a superb performance as Gideon, creating a character filled with
All That Jazz (film) nervous energy… The film's major flaw lies in its lack of real explanation of what, beyond ego, really motivates [him]." "TV Guide" said, "The dancing is frenzied, the dialogue piercing, the photography superb, and the acting first-rate, with non-showman Scheider an illustrious example of casting against type . . . "All That Jazz" is great-looking but not easy to watch. Fosse's indulgent vision at times approaches sour self-loathing." Leonard Maltin gave the film two-and-a-half stars (out of four) in his 2009 movie guide; he said that the film was "self-indulgent and largely negative," and that "great show biz moments and