In 1971 Glam Rock exploded onto the music scene in a shower of glitter and sparkles. At the centre of the phenomenon was the eccentric and flamboyant performer, Brian Slade. Inspiring countless teenage boys and girls to paint their nails and explore their sexuality, soon Brian learns that he cannot escape the persona he has created. He stages a fake assassination and now, ten years later, a persistent journalist is out to discover the truth and answer the question “what ever happened to Brian Slade?”
I had seen this film before, but could hardly remember anything, so when I came across it at work and saw the great cast that it has, I was instantly eager to watch it again. It’s a shocking, tragic, but very beautiful film about music, fashion, corruption, and decay. How rock stars set out to change the world, but end up with a changed world perspective. It’s an elegant and decadent film that will definitely stay with you.
In 1971 Glam Rock exploded onto the music scene in a shower of glitter and sparkles. At the centre of the phenomenon in England was eccentric and flamboyant performer Brian Slade. Inspiring countless teenage boys and girls to paint their nails, apply their eyeliner, and explore their sexuality, it soon transpires that Brian cannot escape the persona he has created. So he stages a fake assassination, which both shocks and outrages his fans and brings his career cascading down. Now, ten years later, a persistent journalist is out to discover the truth, the reason behind the rhyme, and answer that question: “what ever happened to Brian Slade?”
It should be known that the Glam Rock era is my favourite era of music. It was elegant, outrageous, free, and impulsive, and watching films like this just radiates that vibe of defiance and controversy. It’s very liberating.
The soundtrack is an absolute winner with original songs as well as memorable songs of the age from T-Rex, Lou Reed, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Pulp, and Roxy Music. For any lover of rock music, this is a flick for you.
And then there is the makeup and the costumes! Oh I felt as though I’d died and gone to Heaven. The gorgeous girls and glamorous guys! No expense was spared. There was everything from full body painting and glitter, feathers, satin, shimmering leather, boas, top hats, flowers, and who knows what else. It was more of a visual film rather than one of story, and it was absolutely stunning.
Starring Christian Bale, Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Toni Collette, and Eddie Izzard, Velvet Goldmine is a fantastic rock film filled with glamour, nudity, drugs, sex, corruption, decay, and rocking music. There are some scenes that can be a little confronting and almost shocking, but that’s what brings the drama to the film. It’s absolutely wonderful.
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