Review of Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982) by Michelle C — 29 Mar 2009

In 1979, the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd released "The Wall", a concept album that is hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time. Three years later, director Alan Parker, Pink Floyd vocalist Roger Waters and cartoonist Gerald Scarfe teamed up to bring this rock opera to the big screen. "Pink Floyd the Wall" is told with little dialogue, with the songs (mostly sung by Roger Waters) serving as a narrative through the film itself.

The film tells the story of Pink (played by rocker-turned-political activist Bob Geldof), a burned-out rock star who starts the film sitting alone in his previously trashed hotel room. Tormented by painful memories of his life, from the death of his father in WWII to his wife's infidelity, he builds a metaphorical "wall" to shield himself from the world. Due to drug use, these memories are skewered, represented by disturbing yet symbolic imagery. When his conscience finally kicks in, he realizes that he himself IS the cause of his own pain, and eventually tears the Wall down.

I have always heard about the album and film, and after being freaked out from viewing a few scenes from the film, I vowed NEVER to watch it. Curiosity led me to listen to the album itself. Further curiosity led me to see the movie. The first time I saw it, I was left speechless. I knew the songs, but the film's disturbing imagery just killed it for me. But after seeing it again recently, I was amazed at how BRILLIANT this film really is!

"Pink Floyd the Wall" is full to the brim of unforgettable scenes, both disturbing and amazing. But the trick is to look beyond the disturbing stuff and view the story for what it is - a complex look into the psyche of a man who has become a product of the post-WWII society of which he tried to escape all his life. The film has many themes, thus allowing the viewer to have his or her interpretation of the story. Bob Geldof doesn't talk much but still delivers a great performance as Pink. Since the film is a rock opera, each scene is an actual song. The combination of Roger Waters' emotional and cynical songs with Gerald Scarfe's visual design (especially in his impressive animated sequences) create a nightmarish, yet unique film experience. (My favourite sequence is "In the Flesh" where Pink imagines himself as a Nazi-like dictator shouting orders to a willing audience).

"Pink Floyd the Wall" is one of the films that is regarded as a 'midnight movie' and does deserve that title. It is UNLIKE any film you've ever seen, or will ever see in your lifetime. But after you've seen it, believe me, you WON'T forget it. Fans of midnight/cult movies (like yours truly) should definitely get this film, fans of Pink Floyd must OWN this film and those who consider themselves TRUE rock fans should see this film. Be warned though, in order to understand the film to a point, I highly suggest you listen to the album "The Wall". If you don't understand it after a few listens, check Wikipedia for an interpretation of the album. If you still don't get it, forget about it and stick to Linkin Park. If you do get it, watch the movie. If you don't get the movie, check Wikipedia for an interpretation of the movie. Then, after a year or so (like I did), see it again. Hopefully, your second view would make this film a little more clear to you.

One of the best rock movies ever made, one of the best musicals ever made, and a pure example of midnight movie madness, I recommend "Pink Floyd the Wall"!