Review of Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991) by Willem W — 28 Apr 2008

There's a brilliantly calculated scene in this 'documentary' when the camera catches Madonna changing her top. She says "You ready? Here it comes..." then she displays her magnificent chest.

When I saw this in theatres back in 1991, a strange hush fell over the audience. That's Madonna in a nutshell. She takes something we've all seen 1000 times, takes control of it, spins it, makes it her own, and MAKES us pay attention.

Who hasn't seen boobs in the movies? What's so special about Madonna's boobs? This film was ciriticized as flagrant self-promotion, as media manipulation, etc. All fo which is the point when it comes to Madonna.

She's like Andy Warhol, her art is not in what she makes (although she makes damn good music), her art is in how she presents it, packages it, sells it, and makes everyone clamour for it. You can say what you want about Madonna, but she is as good at what she does as anyone.

Fabulous concert scenes abound, and there's a hilarious moment when she deflates Kevin Costner behind his back at the height of his fame. (Remember when everyone was in love with Kevin Costner?).