Review of Crowley (1987) by Zach O — 05 Dec 2010
Unusual... to say the least.
Simon Callow provides a fearless performance as the "reincarnation" of Aleister Crowley. The kind of performance that would make (or break) his career had it been in a film that anybody had actually seen.
Bruce Dickinson (of Heavy Metal group, IRON MAIDEN fame) has co-written a script that most people, (unfamiliar with Crowley)... could probably NOT follow (or would even want to). This perhaps, goes a long way in explaining why so few people saw this film.
The writer(s) are obviously quite familiar with the historical Crowley and use the tales of his legendary depravity well enough in the film..... but it's difficult to convey the complex essense of the real man in a film where a fictitious portrayal to the "uninitiated viewer"... could only be received as "incredulously" at best.
If you have NO idea who Crowley was, then this film will probably seem unbelievably strange, depraved, offensive and overly excessive to you...
If you DO know about Crowley and his colourful history... well, most likely you'll probably be angered, annoyed and not just a bit disappointed, dismissing it as a fanciful and offensive work.
I know enough about Crowley to be intrigued... but don't care enough to be offended... so I'm somwhere in the middle.
Approach this film with caution.
This review of Crowley (1987) was written by Zach O on 05 Dec 2010.
Crowley has generally received negative reviews.
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