Velvet Goldmine

This is a glittery, sequined, spandex-filled tale of glam rock, its idols, followers, and the scene in which they thrive. Christian Bale (Batman) plays a reporter who, given an assignment to cover the 10-year anniversary of a Bowie-esque glam rock star's career-ending faked public assassination, finds himself in the midst of countless suppressed memories. While investigating the disappearance of this fallen hero Bale is reminded of a self he has stifled for years - tight, revealing outfits; drug use; the shame of his parents; a love affair with a famous Iggy Pop-ish American glam rocker (Ewan McGregor); a lifestyle of shallow relationships; sexual confusion; freedom; and very few consequences. Has Bale's character lost his true self by taking a responsible job? Threaded throughout with both allusion and direct references to Oscar Wilde - was he gay/bi? Maybe I learned something from this film and, told in the Citizen Kane this-has-happened-now-go-back-and-report-on-it-tell-the-story format, Velvet Goldmine is occasionally entertaining, though sections of the film were overdone, held too long or seemingly irrelevant.

Um?
2.5 out of 5
Buy this film: Velvet Goldmine

Plot: 2
Imagery: 3
Originality: 2
Soundtrack: 4 Buy the Soundtrack or download it
Overall: 2.5