Fictional rock biopic follows the life of musician Brian Slade, based upon the life of David Bowie. Stylish period film beautifully recreates the British glam rock scene of the early ’70s. Sountrack features a pulsating score with dozens of performances of both new songs written for the film as well as actual compositions from the period. It all can get a bit MTV-style-over-substance at times, but visually striking film is so lavish and decadent, it succeeds in spite of itself. Director Todd Haynes clearly has a real love for the material that makes the film captivating. Sandy Powell rightfully received an Oscar nomination for her outstanding costumes.
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3 Responses
I think the substance over style concerns were deliberate. It reflected the pomp and circumstance of the time very well.
And yeah, great soundtrack.
This movie is a visual and auditory feast!!! Originally set to be a David Bowie Bio-pic (like the one Todd did for Bob Dylan years later), I’m glad Todd didn’t just abandon the project after David refused him the rites to his biography. Otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to see all the tasty performances from super hot and amazing actors like Ewan McGregor, Johnathon Rhys Meyers, Christian Bale and so many more. Incidentally, David Bowie didn’t give the rites for this movie, because he’s planning to make his own one day. I can’t wait for that! I wonder how much of his life will really end up on screen?
In some ways perhaps it was better director Todd Haynes DIDN’T get the rights to Bowie’s biography because it allowed him a greater freedom to take the story where he wanted. Even Bob Dylan’s approval to film I’m Not There, didn’t stop Haynes from making a film that was still only “inspired by the music and the many lives of Bob Dylan”. Much of Dylan’s life was fictionalized in that film as well.