Velvet Goldmine. Anyone who has any interest in 70’s glam has got to see this film.
Unbelievably gorgeous, as all Todd Haynes films are wont to be, Velvet Goldmine stars Jonathon Rhys Meyers and traces the rise and mysterious fall of David Bowie-like sensation Brian Slade and his alter ego Maxwell Demon. After a staged assassination attempt, his fans turn on him and Slade disappears completely. On the ten year anniversary of the hoax, a journalist (Christian Bale) is sent to uncover the truth about Slade’s disappearance. Toni Collette is a treat as the jaded Mandy, Slade’s (ex)wife who switches effortlessly between American and British accents, and Eddie Izzard is note perfect as Slade’s smarmy agent in big rings and raccoon coat but it’s Ewan MacGregor looking like Kurt Cobain in Iggy Pop drag as Curt Wild the strung out, hopped up visionary of the Next Big Thing…Punk.
The soundtrack is killer with excellent selections from Brian Eno, Shudder to Think and The Venus in Furs (featuring Thom Yorke from Radiohead) but understandably features no David Bowie. This is one of my favorite movies and, had I not had the hangover that ate Manhattan on Monday, would have taken the first spot. For what it’s worth, I do not prefer the director’s cut as I find it too dark.
There, that’s enough of this celluloid stuff, let’s get back to shoes!
Here,Here- while I have enjoyed the film/food/book/big questions of the last few weeks- I need some serious shoe therapy- am looking for the perfect eggplant classically elegant, yet sooo sexy shoe to wear to my step daughters wedding. Has to be perfect…. any help?
Comment by Kimiks — May 12, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
I would of course watch Christian Bale do anything, including stand on a ladder (preferably shirtless) and paint houses. He’s as yummy as shoes, and less likely to incur damage in the rain.
Comment by Style Spy — May 13, 2008 @ 10:34 am
I love love love this movie! The costumes are to die for. Did you notice the structural similarities between Velvet Goldmine and Citizen Kane? They’re both structured around journalists delving into the private lives of a public figure, the ex-wives both are interviewed in nightclubs, and the final answer is revealed only to the audience.
Another fun costume picture is Down With Love, starring Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger — the Doris Day-inspired clothing is fantastic in its artifice.
Comment by Chicklet — May 13, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
Oooh, good call on that Citizen Kane/Velvet Goldmine parallel, Chicklet! I’ve loved this movie to death since I first saw it, but every viewing makes me love more about it. I’ll watch it again for the CK influence. Like a slap on my ass by a lipstick-kissed elbow glove, indeed.
The Roxy Music lyrics recited as poetry, the fact that every glorious male film star found his way into this film (Eddie! Ewan! Christian! Jonathan! Sigh!)…and the clothes and shoes…it’s just about the best thing ever said about the seventies.
Comment by ChaChaHeels — May 13, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
For fabulous drag costumes I love “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”. I think the story is great, too – funny, touching, and dark at times.
Just the scene with the flowing dress on top of the bus makes it worth watching the movie.
Comment by Carol — May 19, 2008 @ 10:15 am