Directed by... Ken Russell?

Rating: 7/10 (15 November 1998)

Todd Haynes is one of only a few truly risk-taking filmmakers today (see "Safe" for proof), but the risks don't always pay off in "Velvet Goldmine." I for one liked the "Citizen Kane" structure, and the tongue-in-cheek references to "A Hard Day's Night" and "The Last Waltz," and I admired a lot of the film's techniques. But frankly, this reminded me of some of Ken Russell's most excessive efforts: dazzling visuals, but a muddled script.