Is Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1979)

📖 The Core Premise

Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny stands as a 1979 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Music, Drama, Comedy landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "John Dexter’s brilliant production, James Levine’s masterful conducting of the eclectic score, and a sensational cast come together to make this Kurt Weill–Bertolt Brecht masterpiece a riveting evening of music theater. At the center of the action is Jimmy Mahoney (Richard Cassilly), a logger who stumbles onto the city of Mahagonny, where (almost) anything is allowed. Teresa Stratas gives a mesmerizing performance as Jenny, the prostitute who takes up with Jimmy, until he is executed for the greatest of all crimes in Mahagonny—to not have any money. The legendary Astrid Varnay, in her final Met appearances, is Leocadia Begbick, and Cornell MacNeil sings Trinity Moses."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Richard Cassilly attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Music. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny worth your time? If you appreciate Music, Drama, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 147 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.