Velvet Goldmine

Brilliantly reimagines the glam-rock 70's as a brave new world of electrifying theatricality and sexual possibility, to the point where identifying precise figures in this neo-psychedelic landscape is almost beside the point.

It's a shimmering, thorny, and consummately self-aware valentine to a paradise, however illusory, lost.

Weighed down with self-important messages, but it's also splashily opulent.

Haynes sets out to demonstrate the power of popular music to change people's lives--to tell them it's OK to fashion themselves into anything they please.

After a most promising beginning, Velvet Goldmine's progress grows increasingly labored, stumbling around the structural roadblocks Haynes has erected in its path.

Director Todd Haynes' (Safe) much-anticipated look at the "glam rock" scene of two decades ago, is like a jigsaw puzzle with half of the pieces missing.

On paper, fine; on celluloid, a Rocky Horror Show of nightmarish proportions.

It's quite something to behold. Fantastic cast, and an interesting interpretation of the world of Ziggy ****. Do not expect a plot that is easy-to-follow and clear-cut - because you won't really find it here. Walk into this storm of glam-infused psychedelia with an open (and 'artsy') mind and you should end up quite satisfied. Certain aspects of the plot and the mythology surrounding these glam-icons may remain frustratingly elusive, but in the end it's all part of the film's method.

A hypnotic, kaleidoscope-esque look at glam rock in Britain during the 1970's, Velvet Goldmine is absolutely insane and incredibly ambitious on the part of Todd Haynes. He threads a tale with glittery string and eye make-up that almost completely works. It may be a bit too overplayed and convoluted, but Velvet Goldmine is a gorgeous, glitzy, and glamorous mess of a film that is incredibly admirable. It is a film that wraps you up in its insanity and drags you along for the ride, even if you have no idea what ride that is exactly. That said, none of the characters know what the ride is either, so it is really only fair. Occurring in a daze of drugs and self-absorption, Velvet Goldmine is probably best viewed while high, but even while sober, it is a fun ride. Featuring a tremendous cast including Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale, and Toni Collette, the film portrays each of them as loose and free people in or around the glam rock trend. As rock stars Brian Slade (Meyers) and Curt Wild (McGregor), the film has the most fun with both of them being wildly over-the-top and absolutely insane stars. In one sequence, Curt Wild actually strips naked on stage during an otherwise normal rock concert. These two are leaders of the sexual revolution and know it, embracing sexuality, nudity, and any sexual encounter that comes their way. The duo have an insane time on the stage and off of it with the actors brilliantly portraying their roles. Meyers and McGregor really soar here and draw the eyes on them, while making it more than worth our time. McGregor particularly nails his role as a free spirit with a kooky, hypnotic, and drug-infused performance as Curt Wild. That said, as with any Haynes film, the film is a huge comment on both the time period in which it occurs and on sexuality. The film violently embraces sexual freedom and champions these men as leaders of the sexual revolution. Even more importantly, it shows that these men are not gay. They may have gay experiences, but find value in both sexes and are bisexual. To wear make-up and women's clothing, it does not necessarily make a person gay. Rather, it is an expression of what they feel inside and Haynes shows this terrifically. Even more, he depicts this embracing of taboo as having a huge impact on those around them. These people are here to show that this is not some weird, shameful action. Instead, it is merely who they are and you can either accept them or not, but they will be who they are. Their parents are pissed, reject them, and send them for shock treatment. But, their fans adore them and are willing to ride the wave with them. Unfortunately, it is not easy and they must find the right crowd and people actually open to new things and change. Though initially booed at performances, Slade and Wild soon become hits that are free to embrace every crevice of their personality and explore it openly. The film does get quite bogged down by Arthur Stuart (Christian Bale) in the modern day, however. A man touched by the openness of these glam rockers and who was at many of their concerts, while being exposed to the live of open sexuality practiced by these men, his investigation feels tacked on. Perhaps Haynes or the studio thought the film was too experiential and distant, so they needed another character to act as an audience surrogate, but it does not work. He investigates where Brian Slade went after an infamous performance act and it adds another wrinkle to the film, but it ultimately detracts from it. Unfortunately, the film ends with wrapping up Arthur's story, which is largely uninteresting and unengaging, leaving the film with an unsatisfactory finale. Fortunately, Velvet Goldmine is still a terrific film that takes on a fairy tale feeling thanks to the opening narration by Janet McTeer. Hinting at the ambition Haynes had with this film, this narration sets the tone and dream-like feeling of the film. Though a little bloated with Bale's role in the film, it is an incredibly dynamic and hypnotic film that more than entertains and also shows the events that led to the de-tabooization of sexuality in all its forms.

Velvet Goldmine is a mostly interesting glide through the times of glam-rock culture. Certain characters are obviously thinly veiled versions of real life artists such as David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Velvet Goldmine has a good soundtrack (obviously), some eye popping visuals and a chance to catch Christian Bale before mega fame. That said, it does lose traction during it's final third.

The most memorable performances in this film, I felt, were from Christian Bale and Toni Collette. It was also nice seeing Eddie Izzard in this film too - he also does well in his role as Jerry Devine. Its a diverting, entertaining enough watch I suppose, with some amusing moments but I didn't feel there was very much in the way of a clear plot narrative/structure as such. Its alright but not a film I'd personally speciffically recommend as such, no.

The glamor and the style are present but the story is not. Many times I wanted to watch this film and unfortunately I was disappointed.