Velvet Goldmine (1998)

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 (story), Todd Haynes (story)

Stars:

Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Christian Bale

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ewan McGregor	...	Curt Wild
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Brian Slade
Christian Bale	...	Arthur Stuart
Toni Collette	...	Mandy Slade
Eddie Izzard	...	Jerry Devine
Emily Woof	...	Shannon
Michael Feast	...	Cecil
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	...	Young Man

Storyline

London, 1971 - Flower Power is on the wane and floundering hippie troubadour Brian Slade feels old-fashioned and out of step until he experiences the raw power of rock musician and exhibitionist Curt Wild at a live concert. Smitten and inspired, Slade rises from the ashes of fussy brocade, reincarnating as the ambiguous pop-rock God/dess of platinum dust and phoenix feathers, Maxwell Demon. His alluring androgynous imagery and the seductive sounds his 'glitter rock' seduce teenagers across the world, offering refuge for the weird and unwanted with the promise of an everything-goes hedonism. At the height of his fame and cultural influence, he plots his sensational demise to escape, alienating his fans and falling into obscurity. On the 10th anniversary of the character assassination, journalist Arthur Stuart investigates Slade's disappearance, forcing him to revisit his own confusing teenage identity crisis and rebirth mirroring that of his idol Brian Slade.

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Plot Keywords:

homosexuality | homoeroticism | broach | male wearing makeup | recovering drug addict | 

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Taglines:

The secret to becoming a star is knowing how to behave like one

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Brian first sees Mandy, he says "Do you jive?" That's what David Bowie is supposed to have said when he first saw his first wife, Angie Bowie.

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Goofs

When Brian is onstage at the Sombrero Club and the members of the audience are clapping along with him to the music, the motions of their hands do not match the rhythm in the music.

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Quotes

Curt Wild: [sitting in cafe with Jack Fairy talking about Brian] I dunno... I dunno. It got too big I guess, too... got too... schizold, you know? I mean, he thought he fuckin' WAS Maxwell Demon in the end, you know? And Maxwell Demon, he thought he was God.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Rock 'n' Roll Movies (2013)

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Soundtracks

Dead Finks Don't Talk
Written by Brian Eno
Performed by Brian Eno

User Reviews

If you like Bowie or Iggy, you'll hate this...

Velvet Goldmine is a perfectly good idea, and is essentially a loving homage to a bygone era, that of 70's glam rock. Christian Bale is fine as a journalist who on hearing disturbing news of his teen-era idol, has flashbacks telling the story of his immersion in the world of glam rock and the seventies music scene. Unfortunately this idol is a thinly disguised thumbnail sketch (you might even say parody) of David Bowie. The other main character is an equally pointless caricature of Iggy Pop. The story takes some elements of the story of their careers in the mid seventies and goes its merry way. This would be fine but for one major flaw: the music is not Bowie/Iggy. It is originally produced glam rock pastiche and is so awful the appeal of the era would be mystifying to someone unfamiliar with it. Who then would like this film? I have no idea. Todd Haynes must love Bowie, if not why make a film which is so transparently about him? Does he think his film shows 70's glam in a favourable light in any way? As a huge fan of both Bowie and Iggy pop, I think Velvet Goldmine is utterly appalling.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

23 October 1998 (UK)

Also Known As:

Velvet Goldmine

Filming Locations:

Lyceum Theatre, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$301,787, 8 November 1998

Gross USA:

$1,053,788

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,053,788

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Goldwyn Films, Killer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1