Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
Purple Rain
Metascore
45 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
view
per page
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Kirk
    80
    Playing a character rooted in his own background, and surrounded by the real-life members of his Minneapolis-based musical 'family,' rock star Prince makes an impressive feature film debut in Purple Rain, a rousing contemporary addition to the classic backstage musical genre.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    75
    Fresh music and silly dialogue - those aspects of Purple Rain haven't changed over the years. [Review of re-release]
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Vincent Canby
    60
    However, like many album covers, Purple Rain, though sometimes arresting to look at, is a cardboard come-on to the record it contains.
  4. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    50
    If you like Prince's music, you'll love this movie. If not, stay away.
  5. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    50
    The pop-music star Prince makes his movie debut in this bizarre drama about a rock singer with a troubled career and a miserable home life.
  6. Empire
    Reviewed by: Ian Nathan
    40
    A fairly dappy and overlong attempt to turn Prince the then emergent rock-funk superstar into a movie star.
  7. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Dave Kehr
    30
    The project would have been much more palatable as a TV special; as it stands, it's just another symptom of the American cinema's addiction to facile mythmaking.
  8. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Jay Scott
    25
    Purple Rain is not a revolution. It's not even a good movie. What it is, is a cosmic letdown. [27 Jul 1984]
    All this critic's reviews
prev next
Page:
  • 1

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. Jennifer
    7
    Love Purple Rain. The acting is very bad in most parts but Prince gives a great performance. Watch this movie for the music and great performances by Prince and the Revolution.… Full Review »
  2. pumbaz
    10
    They really should have re released the cut which was shown in theaters. So much was cut out of the DVD version including the fight with Jellybean and the death at the end. Prince can work with a good director and could have done many more movies.… Full Review »
  3. luvdamovies
    0
    Purple Rain the movie is really bad. There is no sense in sitting through such garbage to listen to the music by Prince. The movie was difficult to sit through. I gave it about 50 minutes before I shut her down. The scenes were horrible. The acting was crud. The story line was terrible. They could have really did a good job with the movie, but boy did they fall off the cliff.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »