Glitterati
I admit it: I'm a little OCD-like concerning Jonathan Rhys Meyers. I've been backtracking to many of his older films, and the more I see, the more I've come to respect his obvious talent, charisma and overall joie de'vivre with every role he tackles.

That being said, the first time I viewed VELVET GOLDMINE I felt as though I smoked peyote and dropped acid at the same time. It was just an acid washed trip down memory land (a memory lane that I wasn't familiar with, seeing as though I was a product of the 80s-90s Michael Jackson/Prince/Madonna phenomena). I really had to take several deep, cleansing breaths after finishing and question my sanity in purchasing the movie.

I decided to give it another shot a few days later (once the peyote/acid remnants *imagined* had worn off). 2nd time around, I fared much better, and really started to peel back the layers that Todd Haynes was trying to convey. Some quick observations:

Ewan M./Curt Wild-As much as I admire Ewan's boldness in going the "full Monty" route (again *sigh*), his best parts in this film are when he's at his most quiet; I love the look in the restaurant (looks like the Russian Tea Room in NYC) when he tells Brian "You could be my main man." One issue (and this isn't Ewan's fault) is his "look." Why is he a clean-cut Curt Cobain clone? If the production team were trying to *loosely* base Curt Wild on Iggy Pop, then the look should've been grungier and wilder (no pun intended) looking.

JRM/Brian Slade-Such an absolutely exquisite, gorgeous creature. His characterization of the virile, feline, effeminate glam-rockers is very, very eerie (one standout to me, is in the "Perfect and poisonous" montage when he's skipping/dancing in the street, and smooches the sailor-after they've kissed, he does a small twirl/hop that's so girlie, but believable). His vocals (which have gotten stronger over the years-check him out on the AUGUST RUSH soundtrack) are more than adequate, a pleasant surprise for someone unfamiliar with his work (his heartbreaking rendition of "Sebastian" gets me every time).

Toni Collette/Mandy Slade-I've really appreciated Toni's work since MURIEL'S WEDDING (she did a good job with a mess of a script in IN HER SHOES as well). She's so effervescent in the beginning of this rockin' time, but is so downtrodden and bitter by 1984. She does the role such justice.

Eddie Izzard/Jerry Devine-Playing a "suit" is a new one, but it really worked. Izzard's totally over-the-top (in a good way) as an ambitious (yet caring-sort of) manager. He goes for the gusto every time he steps in a scene.

I've watched the movie about 5 times since purchasing, and am planning on getting the soundtrack (to be played at maximum volume of course!) also. It's grown on me for sure. Give it a whirl. If you don't understand after the first time, let it marinate for a few days, then try again. 4-star effort.

thanks!
ordered this one with another and they both arrived very quickly- excellent condition- great service Thanks! :)

you stroke me like the rain
Ok so. Bowie threatened to sue. And this film isn't exactly the most faithful representation of glam rock. And, yes, the Iggy and Bowie characters are exaggerated a great deal. BUT. It's still a good film. Flaws to be sure. On first viewing one will find it quite incoherent. But on repeat viewing, most glam fans will dig it. Don't take this as a representation of how it actually was though... think of it as a highly dramaticized biopic of a composite Iggy Pop/David Bowie/Lou Reed/Brian Eno type guy. There's a lot of dudes makin out with other dudes. But I mean i guess the whole bi thing was a big part of the scene. Good film.

Worth The $$
Wow - I love this movie. It's one that I had always wanted to own, because I would catch it on cable or whatever every time I could.

Totally worth the money! :)

The Glam Rock Era and all the Glitter that wasn't gold
A film about a British reporter in New York in search of a 70's singer who staged his own death to escape from fame. One sees a bit of Bowie and Cobain in this gritty tale of the dark side of glam rock glitter and all its trappings. A very young Jonathan Rhys-Meyers showcases an incredible talent in this early movie.