Purple Rain (1984)

Lack of good storyline.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

With Prince having recently died, I've been meaning to take another look at Purple Rain, which I haven't seen in probably fifteen years or so. After just watching it, I can say my opinion on the movie hasn't changed much since I first saw it. The story is hackneyed and corny with some truly cringeworthy dramatic scenes. The family stuff, the abusive relationship our diminutive hero has with his new girlfriend -- it's all over the top in the worst way. But it does go into 'so bad it's good' territory for me and I think many others will see it that way too. Aside from the soapy stuff, the movie has a few things going for it. The music, for starters, is great. The Purple Rain soundtrack was excellent and most of the songs are used effectively here. Also Morris Day is hilarious as the villain. He steals every scene he's in. Prince himself is pretty bad as an actor but not quite as bad as Apollonia. She really stinks. It helps that she has a nice topless scene, though. Overall it's worth a look if you love the' 80s, Prince, or you're just a connoisseur of cheesy movies.

If you're ever come across (the now tragically late and only sometimes formerly known as) Prince, you have to come to Purple Rain. It's not simply that it's inevitable, it's among his signature work; it's a pop album, but it's not you're garden variety collection of 4-time tempo songs. If anything "When the Doves Cry" is a more minimalist type of song, not quite a ballad but not very fast either, as the song has a simple track of keyboard laid over a drum beat that you can dance to but it also leaves you in a kind of bittersweet trance. Then of course comes the hook, and it's here that it takes on an iconic, gets-in-your-head quality.That song is maybe the most Music-Video-y of anything in the Purple Rain film, as it comes about midway through the movie and reflects Prince - aka "The Kid" but he's just Prince really - at a moment when he is uncertain of what to do as he's done the wrong thing by the woman who should be his love, Apollonia, and he still has the same strife at home going on with his parents. So he gets on his motorcycle and... we just see some clips from the previous scenes (including a, uh, sex scene in a barn which wasn't seen before) mixed in with Prince motoring around.What does this have to do with anything? Well, there needs to be some time where The Kid broods and ponders, right? Actually there is quite a lot of that in Purple Rain. This was a movie-viewing where I had two reactions: as I was watching it, in the theater (and in the front row no less, it's only 2 days after the man's passing with a special series after all), I really enjoyed it and even got into the melodramatic - and I emphasize *dramatic* - story of how The Kid, with his group The Revolution, try to make it at a local club in Minnesota and face ups and downs while up against groups like Morris Day & The Time.But when I left the movie I started to think a little more about what I saw, the story of it, and felt like it was missing things that could've made the narrative stronger. We see Prince's parents (the father played by the awesome Clarence Williams III, you've seen him before but not this intense I don't think), and yet we never really know the mother - she's basically a placeholder, and meant as a simplistic victim of the father's abuse. Williams actually gets a little more depth, as a failed(?) musician who never quite made it and is in constant turmoil over his marriage (he even warns his boy over it). What brought this couple together? What's the attraction? Of course they're supporting characters, but it's superficial drama and over-simplified to give Prince some conflict.It also draws into another issue, which I think I looked over more at first as I was drawn into the music, which is Prince and Apollonia's relationship; early on it works really well, as he has that 'joking around' type of disposition (i.e. that great Lake Minnetonka scene), but then relatively quickly it becomes 'oh, now I see why there will be trouble.' But this seems to come somewhat suddenly, and it's understandable why she wants to get away from him. And then more drama ensues, and by the end all is forgiven. I didn't buy it.The clever part is that the songs performed live by Prince and the Revolution reflect the storyline: after the intro "Let's Get Crazy" which is just pure fun, the 'seduction' song gets Apollonia to maybe, sort of fall in love with The Kid (this comes after spending some time with him); then when he is feeling the rage, he gets sexual on stage - to the point of humping the amp in a frenzied performance of 'Darling Nikki'. And then the finale with the title track, which is a soulful, harrowing epic of pain and suffering. You do almost want to forgive Prince for the bad s*** he's done... almost. And then there's two more songs to finish off and you leave on a high and a buzz.Those live performances, and the music in general, including those basic but awesome dance tracks from The Time, make up what's so special about the movie and Prince in general. The guy just LOVES music here, and though it's mostly all of a similar track, of rock-funk going between up-beat and more ballady stuff (sometimes harder songs than others like Computer Blue and then the music that the two women make that's slow but powerful), it's all of a piece that is wonderful and kind of timeless. And I say timeless knowing full well this is very much an EIGHTIES movie in capital letters. There's Jheri curl juice all over this time, keyboards and synth and, I'm sure somewhere, a key-tar, and it's tempting to say a lot of the movie is dated by proxy of how the characters are dressed (except Prince who just dressed like Prince) and the cutting which is sometimes fine and other times pure music video of the period.But as far as "music video" movies go, this is still a stand-out, and if you come to it only moderately familiar with his work (as I was) you'll want to pick up much more of his music than before. In other words, Purple Rain dances with greatness and mediocrity and comes out in the middle.

The Kid (Prince) is a young talented leader of his group The Revolution as they play at The First Avenue club in Minneapolis. He comes from a trouble home with an abusive musical father. The loudmouth flamboyant Morris Day and his group The Time are the headliners in the club. Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero) is an aspiring singer who falls for the Kid. Their relationship hits a roadblock when Morris develops a group around Apollonia. The Kid is in danger of losing his spot in the club.The music ranges from experimental jams to incredible pop sensations. Prince is a passable actor. None of the acting is great. Morris Day seems to be having lots of fun. The Kid is surprisingly violent. He's a volatile self-destructive character. Aside from the great music, this movie offers some truly nice moments. The lake scene is fun. And Prince seems to be really trying.

Purple Rain is an excellent,unforgettable Rock N'Roll Musical Classic and one of the greatest Rock N'Roll movies of all time that combines great,stylish direction and a classic album and soundtrack that makes Purple Rain Prince at his best.Set in Minneapolis,Minnesota,Purple Rain tells the story of The Kid(Prince),a talented but troubled musician who's the leader the group The Revolution and while The Kid rocks out with his band he has a upsetting personal life. The Kid then meets and falls for an aspiring singer and dancer Apollonia(Apollonia Kotero)while competing with rival musician and singer Morris Day(Morris Day)and trying to make it to the big time.The year 1984 is one of the most iconic and unforgettable years in the history of pop culture and not only that it was also an incredible year for movies,music and television. Classic and memorable films such as Beverly Hills Cop and Ghostbusters were the top two grossing box office hits of the year,singers Madonna,Tina Turner and Lionel Richie were dominating the pop music charts,classic television shows such as Miami Vice and The Cosby Show both made their Television debuts and MTV Music Television was in it's third year. Then in that very same year came the release of Purple Rain,an amazing Rock N'Roll film that was a Box Office hit and turned Prince into a mega star and gave viewers a classic album and iconic soundtrack that would go multi platinum and become one of Prince's definitive and timeless albums. Right from the very start Purple Rain gives viewers a stylish experience that brings you into another world where music is played throughout and you not only listen to the music you feel it with all of your emotion and you never want it to stop and when you think of the year 1984 or the entire decade of the 1980s you will think of Purple Rain because it not only defines 1984 but the entire decade of the 1980s. Purple Rain is one of those films where there is more style than substance where most of the camera movements and editing in some the scenes are fast and quick never giving you a chance to breath or take a break. The concert scenes in PR are terrific and mesmerizing capturing your attention and nothing feels forced or fake but real with an energy that is relentless and powerful that you will be singing along with The Kid(i.e Prince). I think Prince tried recapture the spirit of Purple Rain with his two follow up films Under The Cherry Moon(1986 and Graffiti Bridge(1990)but failed. The only film that I think can match PR in terms of style and tone is Walter Hill's Streets Of Fire(also released in 1984). One can make a valid argument that PR is not really a movie but a long extended music video with some scenes of dialog but it's one of the most entertaining extended music videos I have ever seen and like I said before this is a movie where there is more style than substance. The main character The Kid(his real named is never said in the film)is not always a likable character and at times he can be kind of jerk but you will sympathize with him at times because of his terrible home life with his parents or trying to become a successful musician. The Kid is a character full of depth and mystery and we get to know him either through his music or his dialog. One of the things I love about PR is how intentionally or unintentionally hilarious the film is because some of the acting leaves a lot to be desired and some of the dramatic moments become a little over the top to the point where you are laughing at scenes that are supposed to be serious but end up being silly. The ending of Purple Rain(which is the final 20-30 minutes)is fantastic and one of the best endings I have ever seen in a film and is filled with great music that is brilliant and powerful and will stay with you forever. An incredible ending.The cast is o.k. Prince does an o.k and hilarious job as The Kid,with showing over the top emotions. Apollonia Kotero is good and sexy as Apollonia,Prince's love interest. Morris Day is funny and memorable as Morris Day,The Kid's rival. Olga Karlatos and Clarence Williams III give the best performances in the film as The Kid's troubled Mother and Father. Jerome Benton is fun as Jerome,Morris' right hand man. Billy Sparks is good as Billy,a local club owner.The direction Albert Magnoli is terrific and stylish,with Magnoli keeping the film moving at a tight pace and bringing a great visual style to the film and doing sensational job with the concert scenes. Wonderful direction,Magnoli.The soundtrack by Prince And The Revolution is one of the greatest and most unforgettable albums and soundtracks of all time with amazing songs such as the title track Purple Rain,When Doves Cry,Let's Go Crazy,Computer Blue,Darling Nikki,The Beautiful Ones,Take Me With U,I Would Die For U and Baby I'm A Star. A Brilliant and flawless soundtrack. There is also other great songs by Morris Day and The Time(Jungle Love,The Bird),Appolonia 6(Sex Shooter)and Dez Dickerson(Modernaire) The score by Michel Colombier,John L. Nelson and Prince is great,intense and beautiful matching the tone and style of the film. In final word if you love Rock N'Roll films,Musicals or Prince,I highly suggest you watch Purple Rain,an excellent,unforgettable Rock N'Roll Musical classic that you can watch again and again and is Prince at his best. Highly Recommended. 10/10.