Staying Alive (1983)

Staying Alive (1983), the American dance drama film, served as the sequel to Saturday Night Fever (1977). Directed by Sylvester Stallone, the story follows Anthony ‘Tony’ Manero, a former disco king who takes his brother’s advice and pursues his dream of becoming a professional dancer. He now resides in a Manhattan flophouse and works as a dance instructor and waiter at a local club while hoping for a big break in Broadway’s modern dance productions. This move from Brooklyn has seemingly had a maturing effect on Tony’s personality. His diminished Brooklyn accent, avoidance of alcohol, and decreased use of profanity are evidence of this growth. However, some aspects of his character remain unchanged, including his disregard for his rock singer and dancer girlfriend Jackie.

Despite still exhibiting immature behavior in certain areas and maintaining a macho double standard when it comes to relationships, Tony seems to have evolved in some ways since leaving his old life behind. While Tony is engrossed in a television performance showcasing Jackie as a chorus dancer, his attention shifts to the main star, Laura, an affluent English dancer. With seduction on his mind, he spends the night with her but is disappointed when she dismisses him afterwards. Not comprehending that their encounter was meant to be a one-time occurrence, Tony is frustrated by Laura’s behavior. In a cold tone, she justifies her actions by stating that ‘Everybody uses everybody’ and implies that Tony only used her for his own gain in securing a role in her upcoming show.