Review of Velvet Goldmine (1998) by Mitch P — 18 Jan 2008

"Velvet Goldmine" is a perfect case study of the characteristic virtues and failings of Todd Haynes' career as a filmmaker. In the first place, its hard to believe that Haynes had the audacity to actually make a gay fantasia version of "Citizen Kane" with David Bowie and Iggy Pop as his subject matter. But it is precisely this bravado and ambition that makes Haynes such a compelling director. More to the point, Haynes makes intellectual cinema. That doesn't always work to his favor in "Velvet Goldmine," as the plot all-too-frequently buckles under the weight of his formalism.

The performances in this movie are great; the music, as expected, is awesome. (How can any self-respecting music snob not love Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood doing their best imitations of Bowie and Eno?) And the art decoration and visuals are stunning. The Felliniesque carnival ride between Rhys-Meyers and McGregor scored to Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love" is absolutely amazing. Haynes always manages to find a way to be forgiven for his pretensions. Perhaps it is because he is so talented.