I wish there was something higher then a 10 to give here!

Rating: 10/10 (10 August 2001)

I have by now watched this movie about seven times all the way though, and many parts over 20 times. I have seen it by far more then any other movie. I know every detail, every word, and every gesture. Yet, I feel as though I missed something because some people think Jonathan Rhys Meyers acted badly! Perhaps some thought his acting was a bit cold and icy, well, hallo! He is playing a rock star that is unreal what do you think he is going to act like?! Also, for some reason, everyone just loves Ewan in this movie, but I still have not seen anything all that wonderful, sure, he plays a grunge rock star who likes to jump up and down with temper and be insulting, while really he turns out to be an ok guy after all. But from the reserved Brian Shade I felt so much more. He reminded me of an innocent, a bit confused, a bit unloyal youngster that gets dragged into star life through his constant searching for his cattle of fish. The whole time he feels rather more innocent and unsuspecting then the rest of the characters. Having gotten that off of my chest. I must also comment on another opinion. Some people fancy that the script was flat and shallow. Actually much of the movie was actually in quotes, (many Oscar Wilde's). I think it was anything but shallow for every time anyone spoke they said something that immediately I found myself questioning and pondering over. Overall, this should not be treated as much as a move with a plot and regular characters living out a fragment of life, as a musical/music video that is very beautifully done, but with content and meaning. Or perhaps as a surreal love story? You will either hate this movie and simply not understand it, or you will adore it and it will become as religion touching your life deeply. And, yes, what ever remains of a plot is rather hard to interpret at times and I only understood everything after the third or fourth time I watched it. Over all, try not to think of this as necessarily the 70s but more as a surreal world, ageless, and reflecting our own. Allow me to sum up; excellent actors, superior script, beautifully directed, wonderful music, very artistic and colorful, you may love it, you may hate it, you probably will not forget it.