X
- 2021
- R
- The Criterion Collection
- 2 h 1 m
- 2021
- R
- The Criterion Collection
- 2 h 1 m
Summary The Velvet Underground created a new sound that changed the world of music, cementing its place as one of rock ’n’ roll’s most revered bands. Directed by Todd Haynes, “The Velvet Underground” shows just how the group became a cultural touchstone representing a range of contradictions: the band is both of their time, yet timeless; literar...
Directed By: Todd Haynes
Written By: Todd Haynes
- 2021
- R
- The Criterion Collection
- 2 h 1 m
- 2021
- R
- The Criterion Collection
- 2 h 1 m
The Velvet Underground
7.3
Where to Watch
Summary The Velvet Underground created a new sound that changed the world of music, cementing its place as one of rock ’n’ roll’s most revered bands. Directed by Todd Haynes, “The Velvet Underground” shows just how the group became a cultural touchstone representing a range of contradictions: the band is both of their time, yet timeless; literar...
Directed By: Todd Haynes
Written By: Todd Haynes
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 31 Critic Reviews
87
100% Positive
31 Reviews
31 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 31 Critic Reviews
87
100% Positive
31 Reviews
31 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The Velvet Underground is a beautifully poetic meditation on the emotional and cultural power of rock and the allure of making a life in art.
A sonic-boom look at a seismic band, The Velvet Underground dissects one of the most influential 1960s musical acts with dizzying visual flair and a structural academic rigor refracted through a showman’s prism.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 26 User Ratings
7.3
77% Positive
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
19% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 26 User Ratings
7.3
77% Positive
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
19% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
This is one of the best documentaries about the 60s ever made, Haynes clever use of tons of experimental cinema films works beautiful + this is one of rare successful attempts to describe VU musical process. Never thought that Jonas Mekas would ever fill half of Apple TV original...
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A confession first, I'm a huge fan of The Velvet Underground.
This movie really focuses closely on the influences, reationships, and musical processes, The Velvet Underground developed in their short and influencial reign.
Some great archival footage, and most of the talking heads are amazing, and give us a real feel of the 1960's - 70's NYC art scene.
One of 2021's best movies.
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Even viewed on a small screen at home, I found it rapturous. I can only imagine what it’s like in a theater. All of which makes it exactly the kind of documentary that fulfills Eno’s dictum, the sort that after you encounter it, makes you want to go out and create art yourself.
It isn’t the most entertaining version of a Velvet Underground documentary, but it’s the truest to the group. Haynes hones in on character and new elements they brought to the table which, like elements of modern art, are best captured through philosophies and conceptual understanding, as they are here.
As a collage of the period, The Velvet Underground is dazzling: a hypnotic act of high-wire montage. You can tell that Haynes wants to take us as close to this band as possible, and if that means his entire documentary is going to have to be a kind of poetic sleight-of-hand trick, then so be it.
Whatever your level of familiarity, Haynes’ doc — the first for this accomplished director — is so stylistically compelling, it doesn’t really matter what you knew coming in.
The Velvet Underground will leave one less acquainted with the band with an incomplete picture in mind, but it’s unfair to say that the film is only for true enthusiasts. Instead, Haynes is interested in capturing a mood: A feeling of creative interconnectedness, of change, innovation and of a revolving door of people and art that will never again be replicated.
Old fans will find this unconventional documentary very compelling, while newcomers will become fascinated with one of the most influential rock bands of all time.
Todd Haynes — who has expressed his music passion throughout his filmography — was the right choice to make this movie.
But, beware, this is not your typical VH1 'Behind the Music' kind of thing, no; this is a more avant-garde approach, just like the subject band. Think of a collage, showing and not telling you how The Velvet Underground unorthodox pop music became relevant.
Sure, there are some talking heads moments, and the second part goes faster exploring the group's timeline than the first one, but, as a fan, I'm satisfied with what Haynes achieved here. And the footage obtained to make the montage is just amazing!
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The Velvet Underground was influential as a band and an art project. This doc by director Todd Haynes, who himself has defied traditional expectations, has echoed their imaginative roots. Most of this film features split screens with montage layers of experimental film and photos. There are interviews to help stitch together a timeline of the band's development. Frustratingly, they’re only identified by name, with no explanation of their relationship to the band (until a barrage of names during the credits). The history of the group is chronicled, but with NO performance videos (although there are some audio clips). As a matter of fact the only song that’s shown being sung is saved for the very end. Fans of the band will appreciate this poetic cinematic experience, which defies traditional doc tropes and mirrors the band’s ethos.
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Production Company
Motto Pictures,
Killer Content,
Digital One,
Killer Films,
Polygram Entertainment
Release Date Oct 15, 2021
Duration 2 h 1 m
Rating R
Genres
Awards
Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards
• 4 Nominations
Chlotrudis Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
