Hmmmmmmm...

Rating: Null/10 (20 March 2003)

Hard to come up with a one-line summary for this one. This is, of course, a fictionalized account of the Glam Rock era, with Bowie and Iggy clones. The story plays out like a Glam version of Citizen Kane, and achieves what it sets out to do. The acting is good all the way around, and the direction and cinematography are appropriate and stunning. But enough of that.
What's really remarkable here is the music, particularly Ewan's cover of the Gimme Danger by Iggy & the Stooges and Jonathan's cover of Eno's glam classic, Baby's On Fire. What's so remarkable about the performances in the film is that, not only were the actors REALLY singing these songs, but they were singing them live on the set...which NEVER happens in film. Even if the actors' voices are being used, they are recorded in advance and lip-synched later for use in the film. In Goldmine, however, Ewan and Jonathan's singing were recorded live as they were performing. This gives the songs that feeling of live performance which simply CANNOT be faked. And it really works within the film. This was a daring leap, and one which had to be made in order to make this film what it is.
As a huge fan of both Bowie and Iggy, I did have some small problems with the film...particularly the fact that Ewan looks (and at times, behaves) more like Kurt Cobain than Iggy Pop. But being that this film is fictionalized and lays no claim to being otherwise, that's really neither here nor there. This is NOT the story of Iggy Pop and David Bowie...it's a carbon copy from an alternate reality. And as such, it works brilliantly.
Oh, and did I mention...it's a pretty good movie, as well.