Controversial...original...absolute trash

Rating: 1/10 (27 September 1998)

Writer-director Todd Haynes has created a controversial and original piece; one that doesn't rely on so much on its main characters but rather whom they might represent. David Bowie, for example, bears a striking resemblance to Velvet Goldmine's fictional protagonist, Brian Slade (Ewan McGregor).
But any chance of examining Slade's character is conveniently avoided, as Haynes seems much more concerned with show-casing homosexual orgies rather than studying what makes Slade kick.
Even more ridiculous is that the film attempts to link Slade to the great Oscar Wilde - with dismal results. This is a very confused and distraught film that never once breaks into a good moment that lasts more than just a couple of minutes.
The basic premise of Velvet Goldmine is intriguing, but Hayne's turns his material into absolute trash in a matter of minutes. Who would have thought that such a promising film would turn out to be one of the year's worst?