Audience: NY Times Readers
A young reporter writes a story about the life of a man whose fame and fortune resulted in abandonment and alienation. This reporter's journey sends him to various people connected with the story, each of whom shares their portion of the tale. Through the countless flashbacks, the people closest to this man reveal the side of him not seen by the public.
No, this is not "Citizen Kane." Snow globes and childhood sleds are replaced by bright blue hair and silver stilettos in Todd Haynes' "Velvet Goldmine."
Director Todd Haynes, known for his controversial films "Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story," "Poison," and "Safe," seems to pride himself in the shock factor of most of his movies, often featuring explicit sexuality and homosexual relationships.
"Velvet Goldmine" is no exception. However, beyond the nudes, homosexuals, and orgies lies an actual story line. The movie stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as bisexual glam-rock superstar Brian Slade, an artist only interested in hitting it big and having a blast along the way. In the process, mostly due to his quirky and queer personality, Slade creates a fad that becomes a phenomenon that becomes a revolution.
Soon, all of the youth of Britain is clad in feather boas, silver eye shadow, and fur jackets. Heterosexuality has given way to bisexuality and homosexuality as British teens lose grasp of the difference between girls and boys.
But as easily as fame came to Brian Slade, it is lost. When Slade fakes his own death at a concert, revealed later by the media to be a hoax, his fan base deteriorates, glam rock slowly dies, and Brian Slade disappears not only from the public eye, but from everyone who had been so close to him during his glory days like his wife, played by Toni Collette, and his homosexual partner, played by Ewan McGregor.
Haynes makes more references to real life glam rock than he shows a naked ass. In fact, the title "Velvet Goldmine" refers to a song written by David Bowie of the same title. Many of the small parts in the movie are played by real-life rock stars, and most of the characters in the movie are based upon the life of a real star.
Therefore, this film immediately draws a fan base from fans or participants of the glam-rock era so many years ago looking for a nostalgic flash back.
"Velvet Goldmine" is wildly entertaining, even for those not involved (or not alive) in the era. And no one can argue the uniqueness of the film. However, the sheer strangeness throughout the movie gave the impression that Haynes tried too hard to be provocative, outlandish, and controversial.
Detached from reality, the plot line played out more like a music video than a video about music. And although actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers had the blank stare of a drugged-out superstar down pat, he failed to convey the deeper aspects of the character without looking silly.
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You did a good job of outlining the plot very methodically, I could follow what you were describing, even if I hadn't seen the film. I would have liked to know a bit more about the actors, and I would argue that introducing Ewan McGregor just as Slade's "homosexual partner" downplays his role far too much. More on the other characters and less on the plot might be helpful, depending on the intended audience. I also might have expanded more upon your own opinions of the characters/actors, such as exactly where Rhys Meyers failed, which you mention right at the end. I do especially like your comment at the end that it played out more like a music video than a real film; I hadn't thought of it like that but I agree. Nice title too!
ReplyDeleteYou started your review with a short plot summary which I thought was an interesting approach. I like that you mentioned Todd Haynes's previous works early in the review and how they evoke that "shock factor" because I think that's certainly what you get in this film. Knowing about Haynes's style helps the reader understand this isn't just your average rock-and-roll story.
ReplyDeleteYou analyze a lot of the plot, but I would've liked to hear more of your thoughts on the script, cinematography and the acting (especially at the end when you talk about Meyers). You mention David Bowie's influence, and say many of the characters are played by actual rock stars but don't really expand upon that.
I also really liked the part where you say "the plot played out more like a music video than a video about music." This is a really profound statement, and since the film is all about the music, I think you should have said a little more about this. Overall, I think this is very well-written and you have some great thoughts.
Your writing has a very strong voice and it comes through. I agree, however, that the space could have been used better in regards to the plot summary and the characters. I would really like to see more of your opinions rather than a synopsis of the movie. Regardless, the writing here is mega-solid!
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