THE PLOT THUS FAR
In 1984, British newspaper reporter Arthur Stuart is investigating the career of 1970s glam rock star Brian Slade, who was heavily influenced in his early years by American rock singer Curt Wild, whose show was quite crazy for his time.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
Haynes uses several glam rock anthems throughout the film, drudging up everyone from Roxy Music to Gary Glitter, but not a note of Bowie’s music can be heard on the film’s soundtrack. The one once known as Ziggy refused, he claims, because Haynes wanted to use too many of his songs. So he allowed use of none. Bowie fans know this is bull-oney. Bowie has turned his back on the public sexual outrageousness of his youth, claiming it to be anything from a phase to a publicity stunt. Haynes’ film uses this as it’s sharpest dagger.
“Velvet Goldmine” stands as a loving homage to glitter, it also doesn’t hesitate to reveal that the core of the phenomenon was essentially empty. Somehow, Velvet Goldmine manages to both celebrate and condemn glam rock: Slade starts his career as a naive singer-songwriter with some interesting and unusual ideas, but once Devine’s corporate machine takes over, Slade’s creativity is stifled to the point where he’s a prisoner of his own artifice. Ultimately, the pre-fabricated exterior is all that’s left of him.
The Blu-Ray comes with a commentary and theatrical trailer. Much like the recent The Rocketeer release, we’re starting to get into an era where standard definition DVD releases are getting destroyed by their Blu-Ray counterpoints. I haven’t seen this film look this amazing since I saw it in an arthouse theater back in 1998. The 1080p transfer is an anamorphic revelation, but the real winner is that DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track that will make the best sounds of Glam come to life in your home theater. This is a must-buy. Especially for people that just think it’s a film about Batman and Obi-Wan Kenobi fiddling about.
RELEASE DATE: 12/13/2011
