Velvet Goldmine

Name: Velvet Goldmine
Genre: Drama, Music
Released: November 6, 1998
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers

1998

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 54 Ratings

See All

8.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.0	Your Score
8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 54 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: November 6, 1998 | R

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Summary: Brian Slade was the rock god of the glam rock era in London during the 70s. Ten years after his sudden disappearance at the peak of his career, a young reporter sets out to find the truth about a publicity stunt gone wrong.

Director: Todd Haynes

Genre(s): Drama, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 124 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Keith Phipps

There are moments when Velvet Goldmine threatens to collapse under the weight of writer/director Todd Haynes' (Poison, Safe) ambition. But, sometimes amazingly, it doesn't, becoming in the process one of the year's freshest, most exciting films. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Velvet Goldmine is no masterpiece, but, at its best, it's a ravishing rock dream. Read full review

David Sterritt

The music and camera work are dazzling, and the story has solid sociological insights into a fascinating pop-culture period. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Weighed down with self-important messages, but it's also splashily opulent. Read full review

Ron Wells

Now the big question: Does this whole thing actually work? Some of the time. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

In trying to compose a poetic love letter to a time of liberation and freedom, Haynes has merely conjured up memories of druggy excess, egotism and tight trousers. The only mementos worth saving from the experience are available on the soundtrack. Read full review

Empire Neil Jeffries

On paper, fine; on celluloid, a Rocky Horror Show of nightmarish proportions. Read full review

SEE ALL 25 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Rekkr

Feb 18, 2014

It's quite something to behold. Fantastic cast, and an interesting interpretation of the world of Ziggy Stardust. Do not expect a plot that is easy-to-follow and clear-cut - because you won't really find it here.
Walk into this storm of glam-infused psychedelia with an open (and 'artsy')It's quite something to behold. Fantastic cast, and an interesting interpretation of the world of Ziggy Stardust. Do not expect a plot that is easy-to-follow and clear-cut - because you won't really find it here.
Walk into this storm of glam-infused psychedelia with an open (and 'artsy') mind and you should end up quite satisfied.
Certain aspects of the plot and the mythology surrounding these glam-icons may remain frustratingly elusive, but in the end it's all part of the film's method.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Jun 16, 2019

The glory, maddening and glittering days of glam rock, and the rise and twilight of one of most dearest stars. The 124 minutes has not the same dynamic for catch the attention of viewer, although that, deserves for watch due the soundtrack.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SarahM.

Oct 23, 2005

Amazing soundtrack, great actors!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Spangle

Feb 11, 2017

A hypnotic, kaleidoscope-esque look at glam rock in Britain during the 1970's, Velvet Goldmine is absolutely insane and incredibly ambitious on the part of Todd Haynes. He threads a tale with glittery string and eye make-up that almost completely works. It may be a bit too overplayed andA hypnotic, kaleidoscope-esque look at glam rock in Britain during the 1970's, Velvet Goldmine is absolutely insane and incredibly ambitious on the part of Todd Haynes. He threads a tale with glittery string and eye make-up that almost completely works. It may be a bit too overplayed and convoluted, but Velvet Goldmine is a gorgeous, glitzy, and glamorous mess of a film that is incredibly admirable. It is a film that wraps you up in its insanity and drags you along for the ride, even if you have no idea what ride that is exactly. That said, none of the characters know what the ride is either, so it is really only fair. Occurring in a daze of drugs and self-absorption, Velvet Goldmine is probably best viewed while high, but even while sober, it is a fun ride.

Featuring a tremendous cast including Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale, and Toni Collette, the film portrays each of them as loose and free people in or around the glam rock trend. As rock stars Brian Slade (Meyers) and Curt Wild (McGregor), the film has the most fun with both of them being wildly over-the-top and absolutely insane stars. In one sequence, Curt Wild actually strips naked on stage during an otherwise normal rock concert. These two are leaders of the sexual revolution and know it, embracing sexuality, nudity, and any sexual encounter that comes their way. The duo have an insane time on the stage and off of it with the actors brilliantly portraying their roles. Meyers and McGregor really soar here and draw the eyes on them, while making it more than worth our time. McGregor particularly nails his role as a free spirit with a kooky, hypnotic, and drug-infused performance as Curt Wild.

That said, as with any Haynes film, the film is a huge comment on both the time period in which it occurs and on sexuality. The film violently embraces sexual freedom and champions these men as leaders of the sexual revolution. Even more importantly, it shows that these men are not gay. They may have gay experiences, but find value in both sexes and are bisexual. To wear make-up and women's clothing, it does not necessarily make a person gay. Rather, it is an expression of what they feel inside and Haynes shows this terrifically. Even more, he depicts this embracing of taboo as having a huge impact on those around them. These people are here to show that this is not some weird, shameful action. Instead, it is merely who they are and you can either accept them or not, but they will be who they are. Their parents are pissed, reject them, and send them for shock treatment. But, their fans adore them and are willing to ride the wave with them. Unfortunately, it is not easy and they must find the right crowd and people actually open to new things and change. Though initially booed at performances, Slade and Wild soon become hits that are free to embrace every crevice of their personality and explore it openly.

The film does get quite bogged down by Arthur Stuart (Christian Bale) in the modern day, however. A man touched by the openness of these glam rockers and who was at many of their concerts, while being exposed to the live of open sexuality practiced by these men, his investigation feels tacked on. Perhaps Haynes or the studio thought the film was too experiential and distant, so they needed another character to act as an audience surrogate, but it does not work. He investigates where Brian Slade went after an infamous performance act and it adds another wrinkle to the film, but it ultimately detracts from it. Unfortunately, the film ends with wrapping up Arthur's story, which is largely uninteresting and unengaging, leaving the film with an unsatisfactory finale.

Fortunately, Velvet Goldmine is still a terrific film that takes on a fairy tale feeling thanks to the opening narration by Janet McTeer. Hinting at the ambition Haynes had with this film, this narration sets the tone and dream-like feeling of the film. Though a little bloated with Bale's role in the film, it is an incredibly dynamic and hypnotic film that more than entertains and also shows the events that led to the de-tabooization of sexuality in all its forms.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tokyochuchu

Dec 22, 2013

Velvet Goldmine is a mostly interesting glide through the times of glam-rock culture. Certain characters are obviously thinly veiled versions of real life artists such as David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Velvet Goldmine has a good soundtrack (obviously), some eye popping visuals and a chance toVelvet Goldmine is a mostly interesting glide through the times of glam-rock culture. Certain characters are obviously thinly veiled versions of real life artists such as David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Velvet Goldmine has a good soundtrack (obviously), some eye popping visuals and a chance to catch Christian Bale before mega fame. That said, it does lose traction during it's final third.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JLuis_001

Dec 1, 2019

The glamor and the style are present but the story is not.
Many times I wanted to watch this film and unfortunately I was disappointed.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

The most memorable performances in this film, I felt, were from Christian Bale and Toni Collette. It was also nice seeing Eddie Izzard in this film too - he also does well in his role as Jerry Devine.
Its a diverting, entertaining enough watch I suppose, with some amusing moments but IThe most memorable performances in this film, I felt, were from Christian Bale and Toni Collette. It was also nice seeing Eddie Izzard in this film too - he also does well in his role as Jerry Devine.
Its a diverting, entertaining enough watch I suppose, with some amusing moments but I didn't feel there was very much in the way of a clear plot narrative/structure as such. Its alright but not a film I'd personally speciffically recommend as such, no.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 7 REVIEWS

68	#68 Best Movie of 1998
69	#69 Most Discussed Movie of 1998