why the fiction?

Rating: 7/10 (12 December 2002)

I have to admit that I loved this film, despite its flaws. The cinematography, costumes, and sets alone make it worth watching (not to mention the fabulous performances by almost all involved). The one thing that I don't understand about Velvet Goldmine is the fictionalization of David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Because the characters of Brian and Curt are virtually identical to their counterparts, it seems unnecessary for them to be Brian and Curt rather than David and Iggy. There is a sort of inescapable tension in the proximity of the fictional characters to the real rock stars. Ewan McGregor does a damn good Iggy and Jonathan Rhys Meyers is spot on as Bowie. They are so good in fact, that it is hard to think of the characters as Brian and Curt. This seems a weakness in the film, especially since it requires a soundtrack of (appropriately) fictional songs. These songs are not bad, but they aren't the originals either. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I do wonder how much more I would have enjoyed it had it not resorted to fiction in the face of a marvelous true story...