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Velvet Goldmine

  • 1998
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
38K
YOUR RATING
Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
Trailer
Play trailer0:26
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaMusic

In 1984, British journalist Arthur Stuart investigates the career of 1970s glam superstar Brian Slade, who was heavily influenced in his early years by hard-living and rebellious American si... Read allIn 1984, British journalist Arthur Stuart investigates the career of 1970s glam superstar Brian Slade, who was heavily influenced in his early years by hard-living and rebellious American singer Curt Wild.In 1984, British journalist Arthur Stuart investigates the career of 1970s glam superstar Brian Slade, who was heavily influenced in his early years by hard-living and rebellious American singer Curt Wild.

  • Director
    • Todd Haynes
  • Writers
    • James Lyons
    • Todd Haynes
  • Stars
    • Ewan McGregor
    • Jonathan Rhys Meyers
    • Christian Bale
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    38K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Todd Haynes
    • Writers
      • James Lyons
      • Todd Haynes
    • Stars
      • Ewan McGregor
      • Jonathan Rhys Meyers
      • Christian Bale
    • 341User reviews
    • 93Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 12 nominations total

    Videos1

    Velvet Goldmine
    Trailer 0:26
    Watch Velvet Goldmine

    Photos160

    Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Christian Bale in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Toni Collette in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Ewan McGregor, Toni Collette, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    Christian Bale, Toni Collette, and Todd Haynes at an event for Velvet Goldmine (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ewan McGregor
    Ewan McGregor
    • Curt Wild
    Jonathan Rhys Meyers
    Jonathan Rhys Meyers
    • Brian Slade
    Christian Bale
    Christian Bale
    • Arthur Stuart
    Toni Collette
    Toni Collette
    • Mandy Slade
    Eddie Izzard
    Eddie Izzard
    • Jerry Devine
    Emily Woof
    Emily Woof
    • Shannon
    Michael Feast
    Michael Feast
    • Cecil
    Janet McTeer
    Janet McTeer
    • Female Narrator
    • (voice)
    Mairead McKinley
    • Wilde Housemaid
    • (as Maraid McKinley)
    Luke Morgan Oliver
    • Oscar Wilde (8)
    Osheen Jones
    • Jack Fairy (7)
    Micko Westmoreland
    • Jack Fairy
    Damian Suchet
    • BBC Reporter
    Danny Nutt
    • Kissing Sailor
    Wash Westmoreland
    Wash Westmoreland
    • Young Man
    Don Fellows
    Don Fellows
    • Lou
    Ganiat Kasumu
    • Mary
    Ray Shell
    Ray Shell
    • Murray
    • Director
      • Todd Haynes
    • Writers
      • James Lyons
      • Todd Haynes
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Much of the dialog comes from Oscar Wilde's writings.
    • Goofs
      In "New York City 1984" the cars are driving on the left-hand side of the road and there are British traffic signs.
    • 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.

    • Crazy credits
      The solid background color behind the credits changes several times as they play.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Meet Joe Black/I'll Be Home for Christmas/Dancing at Lughnasa/I Still Know What You Did Last Summer/Velvet Goldmine (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Needle in the Camel's Eye
      Written by Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera

      Performed by Brian Eno

      Courtesy of Caroline Records, Inc.

    User reviews341

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Velvet Goldmine and Dorian Gray
    Even if I didn't think this movie was fantastic (which I do), I would have to be impressed with the incorporation of Oscar Wilde, his fascination with the decadence of pop culture, and his brilliant philosophies concerning art.

    At the end of the film, when Arthur Stuart sits to have a drink with Curt Wylde (Oh look! A play on Oscar!, Wylde looks up and tells him that, "The true artist creates beautiful things, and puts none of his own life into them". This is one of the several scenes in which Oscar Wilde is referenced subtly, seamlessly and beautifully.

    Curt is not simply Iggy Pop. He is Oscar Wilde. He is the true artist of the crowd, because he creates music without using the art as a form of autobiography.

    Brian Slade is Dorian Gray. He invests all of his persona into the public, and into his songs, trapping himself in an expectation. The alter-ego Maxwell Demon is eternal youth. It is the embodiment of Slade in a single moment. Unfortunately, he traps himself, and leaves no room for growth. The shooting accomplishes two things. Slade arranging this pseudo-murder is Dorian gray destroying his portrait. At first Dorian was intrigued, even excited by the changes he saw in the painting. Then it began to wear on him. So with Slade/ Demon. The hoax liberates Slade the way death does Gray. Also, This secures Maxwell Demon a place in history. Brian Slade was a pop-star who was too controversial and too personally naked in his work to have any real longevity. The hype would have faded, and if he changed or grew as a person, that would have meant changing everything about his art (as they were so interlocked) and would have led to cries of "sell out". Either way, he would have faded out and been likely forgotten (the way Britney Spears will hopefully do one day). By enacting this faux death, Slade guarantees Maxwell Demon some form of eternal youth, trading in his career to do so (selling his soul).

    There's more, as well. Jerry Devine, for instance, is Lord Henry. Mandy is Sybil Vane. They aren't exact, of course, and there are other veins running through them that make them unique, but one can see the influence.

    Beautifully done, and a well paid tribute to the genius of Oscar Wilde!
    helpful•153
    55
    • swinging_rose_hips
    • Oct 5, 2004

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Velvet Goldmine?Powered by Alexa
    • What does Brian mouth to Curt in the recording studio that makes Curt so angry?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 9, 1998 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Glitter Kids
    • Filming locations
      • Lyceum Theatre, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London, England, UK(Reporting outside at about 6 mins 40 secs in)
    • Production companies
      • Channel Four Films
      • Goldwyn Films
      • Killer Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,053,788
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $301,787
      • Nov 8, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,053,788
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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