Sign of the Times
Jackson documentary reveals superstar was on top of his game prior to death
The biggest storm to blow through the music industry recently has been Michael Jackson's death and the world-wide hit of his swan song, the film "This Is It."
Jackson's comeback concert of the same name set to take place in London last year -- his first performances there in a decade -- never happened because of the star's sudden death 18 days before the first show. The film is a recreation of an actual concert experience, using footage from his rehearsals for the concert.
The movie opens with interviews with Jackson's back-up dancers, in which they utter words that would normally cause viewers to cringe in embarrassment, such as "You've inspired everything in my life." But in their case, none of it sounds over-the-top.
There's something about Jackson's dancing that draws in even those who have no interest in pop music. Imagine, then, how hooked in his back-up dancers must have been. They probably sensed that dancing with Jackson allowed them to perform at a level beyond their ability. Jackson's capacity to make people feel that way is palpable even through the film, which explains why the dancers' gushing comments don't sound the least bit unnatural.
Many of the dancers who were willing to go through auditions for a chance to perform with Jackson were top-notch dancers in their own right, accomplished enough to take the stage as solo performers. Still, when watching rehearsal scenes in a wide shot, one can pick Jackson out in a second, even in his casual clothing. There's a sharpness to his moves that no one else has. For most human beings, it's impossible to eliminate all waste in their movement. But Jackson shows no hint of such wastefulness in his dancing. Which is not to say that his movements are mechanical; indeed, he has the pliability of willow branches.
Eliminate all that willowiness from his movement and you've got his famous "robot." Pursue that flexibility and you end up with the moonwalk. It is because of the absolute control he has over his movements that Jackson is capable of enthralling audiences with long periods of complete stillness and movements that seem to defy gravity. His moves suggest no inertia. The way he moves is so unique to him that it's like watching an airplane and realizing it's actually a UFO.
It's even more amazing when you think about the fact that Michael Jackson was 50 years old at the time the footage was taken. I've had the opportunity to see Jackson in concert twice in Japan, but his moves in the film were just as honed as they were in those past performances. If anything, his moves may have had grown even smoother.
Furthermore, Jackson is barely out of breath after dancing. Even when his young, muscular back-up dancers are huffing and puffing, Jackson nonchalantly continues to offer words of encouragement and precise stage directions. And he's the only one who's both singing and dancing.
It's not the sort of thing that makes me feel hopeful as a fellow fifty-something. With such vast disparities between Jackson and me, it's like watching a creature from another planet.
In terms of receiving early exposure to the entertainment industry, Jackson was undoubtedly born into a blessed environment. He was in the spotlight since childhood. However, having seen how extraordinary he is, there's no doubt in my mind that he would have been known throughout the world regardless of whether he'd had a head start or not.
As in the case of Susan Boyle, it's become increasingly common for people to gain sudden fame through the Internet in recent years. What if Jackson had been a young child today? Footage of him dancing on the streets may have been caught on someone's video, which may have then been uploaded on the Web, and one thing may have led to another, making him a star. It's not that hard to imagine.
Despite his genius, however, there undoubtedly was unimaginable effort on Jackson's part -- including weight loss -- behind the scenes. One is impressed to see how humble he is during rehearsals in spite of his superstar status. Geniuses who have never experienced the need to exert effort are often characterized by their arrogance, blasting others who struggle to do what they can do effortlessly. Jackson, however, naturally makes those around him feel that they, too, need to work hard if a talent like him is willing to be as humble as he is.
"(The audience) just wants wonderful experiences, they want escapism. We want to take them places they've never been before." Jackson is captured telling his staff in the film. "So give it your all...We have an important message to give ... I thank you for your cooperation."
Perhaps past media reports on Jackson's eccentricities were examples of him displaying extreme showmanship. I don't think they were the result of a vain desire to look younger; rather, I get the sense that Jackson was using his body as a tool to "perform" at the level that he had set for himself. It was a showmanship that made him willing to sacrifice anything for the best performance.
As I said, I believe that Jackson would've found fame no matter what, but his showmanship was planted in him only because he was born into a showbiz clan. Who knows if this was a curse or a blessing.
"I've been searching for something ... to believe in something. And this is it," said one of his back-up dancers about his opportunity to dance for his hero. I can only hope that "this" was "it" for Jackson, too. (By Ken Sakamura, Professor of Applied Computer Science at the University of Tokyo)
(Mainichi Japan) March 6, 2010