a flawed gem

Rating: 8/10 (14 April 1999)

I have a lot of affection for this film despite the fact that it tries to cram too many ideas and figures in until it resembles a sprawling delicious mess. Yes people have criticised its excesses - but it's about glam rock for chrissake. The style fits the subject like a sequinned lurex jumpsuit.
It's not a coldly clinical historical logical view of the subject but a feverish swollen lovesick fan's loveletter. V.G. builds up (perfectly I believe) the impossible-to-breach distance between the yearning teen-fan-trying-to-come-to-terms-with-their-identity and the distantly desirable impassive rock idol. Christian Bale is the real star here, and gives a brave and emotionally complex performance bursting at the flared-denim seams with vulnerability and raging hormones. Try not to see all the Bowie-isms in it and watch instead with the word 'hypothetical' in mind (yes I know it's hard) and you might just enjoy yourself.