Velvet Goldmine - Ziggy Plop?
Andrew Stewart
media seems to be "Great soundtrack, shame about the film". For those
who are unaware of what "Velvet Goldmine" is, it is the latest work of
acclaimed director Todd Haynes. Taking its name from a David Bowie
B-side, it sets out to be the definitive Glam rock movie. However,
there were early signs of trouble at mill. It sailed into Cannes on a
wave of hype and was said (by those associated it with the film) to be
a shoo-in for the Best Film award. Such was the embarrassment when it
came nowhere close that a special (and meaningless) "Artistic
Contribution" Award was invented and awarded to the film to appease
its distributor.
Then media people who had seen the film started to murmur "Absolute
Beginners" (this 1986 movie, the last major movie to deal with a
British youth culture movement, received similar amounts of hype, and
ended up bombing so comprehensively it put the studio out of
business). In this month's issue, Select dwells comprehensively on the
forthcoming VG movie. There's a picture of Brian Molko on the cover
under the headline:
"Velvet Goldmine
Worth the wait? Er...."
This theme is taken up and run with inside on page 7. Under the
headline "Ziggy Plop! The film they didn't want you to see.
Apparently", Select goes for the jugular:
"The cinema trailer only features stills, David Bowie has refused to
allow his songs to be used on the soundtrack and its release date has
been put back for the second time. Todd Haynes' hyper-hyped Velvet
Goldmine was supposed to have gone on nationwide release in April. As
it is, you'll be unlikely to catch it before winter kicks in.
"The original reason it was put back," explains Velvet Goldmine
producer Christine Vachon, "was a combination of the bad negative cut
(a faulty splicer meant the negative had to be edited three times
before it was deemed acceptable) and the World Cup."
Fine - except that the negative was eventually completed in March and
the original release date was April, while the World Cup, as no one
needs reminding, ran from June to July. "The Truman Show (forthcoming
Jim Carrey smash) was the reason it got pushed back the second time,"
continues Vachon. "Because it gets all the press, so if you open
against it, you're screwed."
Velvet Goldmine's second release date was supposed to be September 25.
It has now been moved to October 23. Which, coincidentally, happens to
be the UK release date for... The Truman Show. Did someone say
screwed?
Whatever excuses might be circulating, the reason for the reluctance
to unleash the movie appears to be the most obvious of all: Velvet
Goldmine, unfortunately, is not the towering work of cinematic art it
ought to have been.
Depicting the rise and fall of a Bowie-style glam icon (Brain Slade,
played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers) through the eyes of a journalist fan
tracking him down in an Orwellian 1984, Velvet Goldmine's hopelessly
contrived plot is but one of its failings. Ewan McGregor, who plays
the Iggy Pop-esque Curt Wilde, manages an accent wavering between
Scots and unconvincing American throughout, even though he only had to
sustain it for his four weeks on set.
The stunningly beautiful Rhys Meyer has not a hint of the charisma
required to convey the allure of prime David Bowie, on whom his
character is transparently based. Donna Matthews' cameo as Polly
Small, a Suzi Quatro-type rock chick, is notable only for the unease
on her face throughout, while Brian Molko's performance of 'Twentieth
Century Boy' gave rise to uncontrollable laughter at the screening
Select attended.
There are saving graces: for a reputedly low-budget film, it looks
brilliant. The soundtrack is mostly excellent and Toni Collette as
Slade's wife Mandy is superb. Other than that, Channel Four Films have
a stinker on their hands that no amount of Martha... Meet Frank,
Daniel and Lawrences can make up for.
The movie lasted in excess of two hours when previewed in June, and
the accompanying hand-out strangely stated that the running time was
'to be announced', as if what was shown was quite possibly not the
final cut. In addition to this, no one is admitting what the final
budget is, perhaps because the film is receiving more post-production
in the wake of snowballing bad-word-of-mouth.
Either way, it looks like no one's quite sure what's going on. Todd
Haynes has threatened to never make another film again, so exhausting
was the production. Should you ever get a chance to see Velvet
Goldmine, you might not think that's such a bad thing after all."
In an interview with Todd Haynes, Select continues to go for the
jugular (the snide caption to Haynes' photo is "Lost the plot?"):
"S: How has Velvet Goldmine been received so far?
"What I've seen is a strong reaction on both sides. It's already won
an award for Artistic Excellence or something (actually 'Artistic
Contribution') at Cannes. It was created for this film. Scorsese told
me that the film inspired him to make films again. All my films have
divided audiences intensely. The most interesting films that have ever
been have always done this.
S: There are quite a few holes in the narrative, where it doesn't make
sense.
You've gotta give up on reality when you watch this film. You can't be
too stuck on real history, because that misses the point. Glam rock
wasn't about that. You can't be too precious about the truth with glam
rock.
S: People have been mentioning "Absolute Beginners".
I think Absolute Beginners went out on a limb in lots of ways, and for
many people it didn't work, but any film that tries new things you've
got to give credit to, even if it doesn't work for you. I wasn't
expecting that exact reaction to Velvet Goldmine, but people want to
feel solid about things and I guess maybe this film doesn't offer
that".
Later in the same issue, Select reports that:
"David Bowie is to make his own '70s glam rock film, dismissing Velvet
Goldmine as "a trailer" for his project. Having refused to let any of
his music be used in the Todd Haynes' film, he'll be reworking some of
the unreleased material from his Ziggy Stardust days".
Then in a review of a new book:
"GLAM!
Bowie, Bolan And The Glitter Rock Revolution
Barney Hoskins
(Faber, 134 pages, 9.99)
Handy to have a reliable guide to the stompy early '70s because,
sadly, the Velvet Goldmine film is anything but that. It traces glam's
initial reaction to hippiedom's wooden 'authenticity', then profiles
the linked rash of transatlantic stars, including Lou Reed before his
hair turned into a carpet and Iggy Pop before he was played
appallingly by Ewan McGregor. A sparkling read."
They also corner Bernard Butler and ask him why he contributed to the
Velvet Goldmine soundtrack.
"Michael Stipe asked me to do it. I actually hate glam rock - I mean,
everyone likes T-Rex and Bowie, but I don't like Mud and The Sweet."
(Note: Above transcriptions abstacted from a Bowie usenet group post).
(np: Best Of Bowie 69/74)
_______________________________________________
To receive a regular Bowie newsletter, send a message to bowie...@hotmail.com with the subject "Subscribe"
For copies of back issues, check out http://www.angelfire.com/al/bowienews/
BHoover247
>From: and...@hotmail.com (Andrew Stewart)
>Date: Sat, Sep 12, 1998 14:41 EDT
>Message-id: <35faa7f8...@news.iol.ie>
>
>The growing consensus to the much-hyped "Velvet Goldmine" in the UK
>media seems to be "Great soundtrack, shame about the film". For those
>who are unaware of what "Velvet Goldmine" is, it is the latest work of
>acclaimed director Todd Haynes. Taking its name from a David Bowie
>B-side, it sets out to be the definitive Glam rock movie. However,
>there were early signs of trouble at mill.
No wonder it flopped. The name of the film is one of the worst David Bowie
songs of all time.
Douglas North
worth my money, since Wayne made David what he is and now David pretends
not to remember who Wayne was.
Kyron Martell
pretty awesome. Todd Haines is a very experimental filmmaker. It's not a
completely flawless movie but it is definitely not a failure. Haines
employs a very avant garde, experimental style filmmaking. It's is a bit
confusing in terms of the narrative, but I think that this style definitely
works to the films advantage. Most people will think it confusing. I think
it is quite exciting and interesting.
That's what I think, mate. A shame its not doing well in the UK. It did
get quite a good review in the NY Times, however.
BHoover247 wrote in message
<199809121940...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
>><HTML><PRE>Subject: Velvet Goldmine - Ziggy Plop?
>>From: and...@hotmail.com (Andrew Stewart)
>>Date: Sat, Sep 12, 1998 14:41 EDT
>>Message-id: <35faa7f8...@news.iol.ie>
>>
>>The growing consensus to the much-hyped "Velvet Goldmine" in the UK
>>media seems to be "Great soundtrack, shame about the film". For those
>>who are unaware of what "Velvet Goldmine" is, it is the latest work of
>>acclaimed director Todd Haynes. Taking its name from a David Bowie
>>B-side, it sets out to be the definitive Glam rock movie. However,
>>there were early signs of trouble at mill.
>
e...@worldnet.att.net
it. Isn't the Ewan McGregor (sp?) character supposed to be Lou Reed?
Kyron Martell wrote:
>
> I just saw the movie at the New York Film Festival. I thought it was
> pretty awesome. Todd Haines is a very experimental filmmaker. It's not a
> completely flawless movie but it is definitely not a failure. Haines
> employs a very avant garde, experimental style filmmaking. It's is a bit
> confusing in terms of the narrative, but I think that this style definitely
> works to the films advantage. Most people will think it confusing. I think
> it is quite exciting and interesting.
>
> That's what I think, mate. A shame its not doing well in the UK. It did
> get quite a good review in the NY Times, however.
>
> BHoover247 wrote in message
> <199809121940...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
> >><HTML><PRE>Subject: Velvet Goldmine - Ziggy Plop?
> >>From: and...@hotmail.com (Andrew Stewart)
> >>Date: Sat, Sep 12, 1998 14:41 EDT
> >>Message-id: <35faa7f8...@news.iol.ie>
> >>
> >>The growing consensus to the much-hyped "Velvet Goldmine" in the UK
> >>media seems to be "Great soundtrack, shame about the film". For those
> >>who are unaware of what "Velvet Goldmine" is, it is the latest work of
> >>acclaimed director Todd Haynes. Taking its name from a David Bowie
> >>B-side, it sets out to be the definitive Glam rock movie. However,
> >>there were early signs of trouble at mill.
> >
Andrew Stewart
>I read the review in the NY Times as well and am interested in seeing
>it. Isn't the Ewan McGregor (sp?) character supposed to be Lou Reed?
Some reviews I've read say Lou, some say Iggy Pop. I guess he's could
be a composite character of the two Americans that came to London in
the early 70s and hooked up with Bowie.
(np: David Bowie - Low)
_______________________________________________
"Rock is indeed dead. All that remains now is necrophilia - the combining
of different parts of rock's illustrious past into pleasing new Frankensteins."
Dara O'Kearney (http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/4723/dok-8.html)
To join 1300 fans receiving a regular BOWIE newsletter, send a message to bowie...@hotmail.com with the subject "Subscribe"
Michael Yong
e...@worldnet.att.net wrote in article
<361699EA...@worldnet.att.net>...
> I read the review in the NY Times as well and am interested in seeing
> it. Isn't the Ewan McGregor (sp?) character supposed to be Lou Reed?
no, hes supposed to be bowie-esque....im looking forward to the
soundtrack...stellar pedigree, with thom yorke/johnny greenwood(radiohead)
playing with the greatest guitarists of the 90's, bernard butler...under
the moniker-"venus in furs"....
Andrew Stewart
wrote:
>
>
>e...@worldnet.att.net wrote in article
><361699EA...@worldnet.att.net>...
>> I read the review in the NY Times as well and am interested in seeing
>> it. Isn't the Ewan McGregor (sp?) character supposed to be Lou Reed?
>
>no, hes supposed to be bowie-esque...
I think you're mixing up the Ewan McGregor character (who is a cross
between Lou and Iggy Pop) and the Jonathan Rhys Meyers one (based on
Bowie).
(np: Best Of Bowie 69/749
_______________________________________________
"Rock is indeed dead. All that remains now is necrophilia - the combining
of different parts of rock's illustrious past into pleasing new Frankensteins."
Dara O'Kearney (http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/4723/dok-8.html)
To join 1300 fans receiving a regular BOWIE newsletter, send a message to bowie...@hotmail.com with the subject "Subscribe"
Andrew Stewart
where they give a run-down ion Who's Who in the film:
Curt Wild
Nine-tenths Iggy Pop to one-tenth Lou Reed. Wild shares Iggy's
Michigan trailer-park upbringing, sexually charged performance style
and fondness for full-frontal nudity. Like both Iggy and Lou, his
career is salvaged from drugs and self-abuse by the Bowie character.
He mirrors Iggy's move to Berlin in the post-Glam mid-Seventies, but
he also restages an infamous public kiss between Reed and Bowie.
(np: Best Of Bowie 69/74)
_______________________________________________
"David Bowie irrevocably altered our culture. In terms of influence, the only new development in pop's last 30 years that he hasn't had some kind of influence on is drum'n'bass. Of all the artists, Bowie changed popular culture in his own image. He introduced things like androgyny and a sense of otherness to pop music in a dramatic and accessible way."
Time Out critic Garry Mulholland explaining why a survey of British stars, critics and music industry figures named Bowie the most important musical figure of the past 30 years.
To join 1300 fans receiving a regular free BOWIE newsletter, send a message to bowie...@hotmail.com with the subject "Subscribe"