I’ve been adding to my movie collection a lot lately. By sheer percentages, I might look all cultured and stuff. Lots of films in the Criterion Collection have come home with me. But not every purchase was so intellectual...I know how to rock, too. I am the owner of a shiny new copy of Purple Rain on Blu-ray.
I hadn’t seen Purple Rain for years, and I may have been trying to get to second base when it was last on the tube. In any case, I didn’t come to my recent viewing remembering very much. Let’s get one thing clear up front: Purple Rain is not for everyone. If you’re not into poet shirts and eyeliner--or the music of Prince--you should probably flounce right on by this movie. But you’d be missing a seminal example of rock and roll filmmaking and a highly entertaining movie, even if only for its camp value.
For AV and film nerds, the technical bits:
- This Blu-ray delivers on the nitty-gritty. The video transfer is high-quality and clear. Only a little film grain or noise can be noted, usually during dark or smokey scenes.
- Audio quality is also very good, but that’s to be expected from a decent original source. Many dialogue scenes were obviously looped for the theatrical release of the film, and those can be muddy at times. The included commentary also makes clear that the musical performances were not recorded from on-set audio. Basically, the Blu-ray faithfully reproduces the best audio experience possible from the original source.
- Good audio is a great thing, because the music is what we’re really here for, after all. Purple Rain features some of my favorite Prince songs, staged in a calculated effort to capture the energy of seeing The Revolution live. The fantastic special features on the disc provide insight into how the filmmakers worked aggressively to make sure the staged performance scenes were captured well, even if the shoot was speedy and on the cheap.
- The disc’s special features are totally worth watching. Lots of kitschy stuff from the Paisley Park archives. Sure, there are documentaries and an interesting commentary, but there’s even a video for Apollonia’s “Sex Shooter” single! How can you pass that up?! Oh, that’s right, it’s bad. But fun to watch once.
Why Bother?
There are some genuinely good things going on in Purple Rain, even apart from the music. Apollonia and Prince have genuine chemistry, and neither of them is the worst actor I’ve ever seen. (It also doesn’t hurt that Apollonia is totally hot.) Clarence Williams III is also awesome as The Kid’s dad. I would be hard-pressed not to hit Prince if he were my son.
The story arc is engaging and dramatic, even if it is just an excuse to string Prince’s songs together. I also found it fun to puzzle over which bits of this “autobiographical” film are true, and which are bullshit.
The film was helmed by someone who knows some things about framing a shot. Multi-camera concert setups effectively put us in the audience. The Director of Photography also knows how to use the set to create an engaging frame. Keep an eye out for a tracking shot that moves out from underneath the basement stairs when the Purple One is talking to the cops at his parent’s house. There's also very noir setup where a fire escape casts a shadow over Apollonia’s face. Looked like something out of a classic detective film.
Unless you hate fun, watch this Blu-ray. If you can’t stand Prince enough to make it through, then you probably need to purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. I give Purple Rain...
4 blouses out of 5.
Final Thoughts?
This movie reminds me of Ocean’s 11. How great would it be to get all your best buds together and make a movie based on your life story? It must be nice to be rich and famous.
Why does The Kid still live at home with Mom and Dad? Are ruffles that expensive? Motorcycle insurance? Or is it because that basement apartment of his is the envy of every high school kid in Minnesota. Even now.
Prince got way more action in this movie than I did while watching it in high school, that’s for sure. Lots of creepy foreplay, and sex in a barn. That’s one way to get itchy with Apollonia.
Some other adult themes on display. Wife/girlfriend beating. Attempted Suicide. Failure. But don’t worry, the music can save us. As long as Morris Day isn’t left in charge.
Prince’s outfits change with his moods. Wearing all black? The Kid may be about to smack a bitch.
Keep an eye out for Wendy’s cringe when Prince kisses her during the band’s first on-stage performance of Purple Rain. Hi-larious. And about Wendy and Lisa. Obviously lesbians. But I’d hit that. Kim Deal too. Wait, she’s not in this movie. Never mind.
