Velvet Goldmine Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A journalist investigates a Ziggy Stardust-esque rock star who faked his death, leading to a glittery, homoerotic journey through the 70s glam rock scene with some Oscar Wilde sprinkled on top.

🍿 Velvet Goldmine: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Rise of Brian Slade

In 1970s London, Brian Slade, a struggling musician, transforms into glam rock icon Maxwell Demon. Inspired by the raw energy of American rocker Curt Wild, Slade adopts an androgynous persona, captivating audiences with his music and provocative image. This section explores his initial success and influence on a generation.

Arthur Stuart’s Investigation

Ten years after Slade’s staged assassination, journalist Arthur Stuart is tasked with uncovering what really happened to the glam rock star. Arthur, a former fan of Slade, revisits his own past, grappling with his identity and the impact of glam rock on his youth. This sets the stage for a journey through memory and music.

The Affair with Curt Wild

The film delves into Slade’s complex relationship with Curt Wild, a rebellious American rocker who significantly influenced Slade’s transformation. Their creative and personal connection is explored, highlighting the homoerotic undertones and the tensions that arise from their intertwined careers. The relationship becomes central to Slade’s artistic and personal downfall.

The Downfall and Disappearance

At the peak of his fame, Slade orchestrates a fake assassination to escape the pressures of his persona and the music industry. However, the plan backfires, alienating his fans and leading to his rapid decline. This section examines the consequences of Slade’s actions and his ultimate disappearance from the public eye.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Arthur Stuart (Christian Bale): A British journalist in 1984, investigating the career of Brian Slade and revisiting his own glam rock-influenced past.
• Brian Slade (Jonathan Rhys Meyers): A 1970s glam superstar whose career implodes after staging a fake assassination attempt.
• Curt Wild (Ewan McGregor): A hard-living and rebellious American singer who heavily influences Brian Slade’s early career.
• Mandy Slade (Toni Collette): Brian Slade’s American wife, offering insight into his rise and fall from fame.
• Jerry Devine (Eddie Izzard): Brian Slade’s manager, navigating the complexities of the glam rock scene.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Brian Slade: “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person… Give him a mask and he’ll tell you the truth.” – Brian shares a quote that encapsulates the film’s theme of identity and performance, highlighting the power of constructed personas.
• Curt Wild: “Rock ‘n’ roll is about lust, and wearing the right kind of pants.” – Curt expresses a raw, visceral take on the essence of rock music, emphasizing its primal and rebellious nature.
• Arthur Stuart: “Sometimes you have to rewrite history to remember it.” – Arthur reflects on the subjective and reconstructive nature of memory and how it shapes our understanding of the past.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,053,788
• Worldwide Gross: $1,054,291

💥 Velvet Goldmine Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching Velvet Goldmine for the first time and being completely blown away. The music, the fashion, the sheer audacity of it all just grabbed me. Ewan McGregor’s performance as Curt Wild was electrifying. It made me feel like I was experiencing a world that was both glamorous and dangerous. The rooftop scene with the glitter rain is iconic, and the whole movie made me want to explore more music and be more daring in my own life.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of glam rock music and culture”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about identity and self-discovery”
  • “Fans of the actors Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Christian Bale”
  • “Those who enjoy visually stylized and unconventional films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content (including homosexual relationships)”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “A dazzling and audacious exploration of fame, identity, and the power of rock and roll. Haynes crafts a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience, even if the narrative occasionally gets lost in its own ambition. The performances are stellar, particularly from McGregor and Rhys Meyers.
• The New York Times: “Velvet Goldmine is a visually sumptuous and intellectually stimulating film that delves into the androgynous world of glam rock. Its exploration of fame and identity, though complex, is engaging. However, some may find the film’s non-linear storytelling disorienting, making it a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience.

Audience Reactions

The soundtrack is phenomenal and perfectly captures the glam rock era.: Viewers consistently praise the movie’s music, costumes, and bold visuals.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ performance is captivating, embodying the enigmatic Brian Slade.: Many appreciate the performances, particularly Rhys Meyers’ portrayal of the ambiguous rock star.

Overall Consensus: Velvet Goldmine is a visually stunning and musically rich film that explores themes of identity, fame, and sexuality within the glam rock era. While its non-linear narrative may not appeal to everyone, its bold style and strong performances have garnered a devoted cult following.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Costume Design)- 1999

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “David Bowie was initially involved in the project but ultimately withdrew, reportedly because he didn’t like the script’s direction. This led to the creation of fictionalized characters rather than direct portrayals of real-life figures.”
• “Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Ewan McGregor sang their own songs in the movie. (Some of Rhys Meyers’s songs were overdubbed by Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke.)”
• “The film’s title, ‘Velvet Goldmine’, is taken from a David Bowie song, though Bowie’s music is not featured in the film due to his withdrawal from the project.”

🖥️ How to Watch Velvet Goldmine?

As of October 2024, “Velvet Goldmine” is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and streaming availability, as these can change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Velvet Goldmine, you might like these similar films:

• Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001): Explores gender identity and rock music with a similar glam-rock aesthetic and themes of self-discovery.
• Almost Famous (2000): Portrays the rock scene of the 1970s through the eyes of a young journalist, capturing the era’s music and culture.
• The Runaways (2010): A biographical drama about the all-female rock band, delving into the music, fashion, and rebellious spirit of the 1970s rock scene.

🛒 Velvet Goldmine Related Products

• Velvet Goldmine [Blu-ray]: Experience the film’s stunning visuals and music in high definition. A must-have for fans of glam rock and cult cinema.
• Velvet Goldmine (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the glam rock era with iconic tracks and original songs featured in the movie. Includes artists like T. Rex, Lou Reed, and original recordings by the cast.
• David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars [Vinyl]: An essential album that inspired Velvet Goldmine. Captures the essence of glam rock and Bowie’s iconic persona.
• Glitter Eyeshadow Palette: Inspired by the film’s glam rock aesthetics, this eyeshadow palette features vibrant, glittery shades to recreate the iconic looks.

🎧 Soundtrack

Velvet Goldmine features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Needle in the Camel’s Eye” – performed by Brian Eno
• “20th Century Boy” – performed by T. Rex
• “Satellite of Love” – performed by Lou Reed
• “Tumbling Down” – performed by Venus in Furs (feat. Jonathan Rhys Meyers)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Whoopi Goldberg Does Velvet Goldmine: 1999 Oscars

Did you know ‘Velvet Goldmine’ was nominated for an Oscar for Costume Design? Check out Whoopi Goldberg’s quirky presentation of the nomination – it’s a fun snapshot of the film’s place in pop culture, and her jokes are pretty funny!

‘Polari’ British slang, subtitled scene from Velvet Goldmine “Vada Mistress Bona”….

Ever wondered what those characters were saying in that one scene with the unusual subtitles? This video breaks down the fascinating ‘Polari’ slang used in ‘Velvet Goldmine.’ It’s super interesting stuff, and I guarantee you’ll learn something new!

Cinematography Style: Maryse Alberti

Want to know how they created the unique look and feel of ‘Velvet Goldmine’? This video dives deep into the cinematography of Maryse Alberti, the genius behind the camera. It’s a must-watch for film buffs!

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