Prince is one of my favorite artists, and the Purple Rain soundtrack has always been an amazing work of art. I loved it far longer than I had even seen the film. In fact, while watching it this time around, I couldn't actually place it when I had seen this movie before. No doubt sometime in high school. Either way, I was excited to watch it this time around.
Released on July 27th, 1984, Purple Rain is an American dramatic musical film directed by Albert Magnoli and written by William Blinn and Magnoli, with significant input from Prince himself. The film stars Prince as The Kid, a fictionalized version of himself, leading his band, The Revolution. The story follows The Kid's struggles with a tumultuous home life, a rival band (Morris Day and The Time), and a burgeoning romance with Apollonia, all while trying to solidify his musical career.
As a Prince fan, it's no surprise that his performance wowed me. He oozes talent and charism and essentially carrying the project. The soundtrack is where Purple Rain truly shines. It's a masterpiece, perfectly interwoven with the film's narrative and emotional beats. Tracks like Let's Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, and Purple Rain are unforgettable and elevate the viewing experience. And the ending performances of I Would Die 4 U and Baby I'm A Star are so passionate it's overwhelming. Definitely the main attraction here.
However, the film itself has a few flaws. The acting, particularly from those with little to no acting experience, is often stiff and unconvincing. This is most noticeable with Apollonia and Morris Day, whose performances feel forced. Morris Day can be seen chuckling his way through lines and even flubbing a few. And it should be noted that Day was kicked out of the acting class that Prince had instructed his musician friends to attend, for not taking it seriously enough. Apollonia had very little acting experience but carried a very pivotal role. Apparently She had more deep and dramatic scenes. However, a lot was cut due to time restraints.
Seasoned actor Clarence Williams III delivers a powerful portrayal of The Kid's troubled father, bringing a depth to his role. And carrying a gravitas that's felt by the viewer. The internal struggles that Williams’ character was going through were palpable. And the tragic turn of events is made more emotional than through these little glimpses of his character. Although, despite the uneven acting, Purple Rain still manages to be an engaging watch. It's a visual and auditory feast, with Prince's iconic style and electrifying performances captivating the audience. The film's setting in Prince's hometown of Minneapolis adds a personal touch, showcasing his dedication to his roots.
Overall, Purple Rain may be a flawed film, but it's a testament to Prince's genius and a must-watch for fans of his music. It's a vanity project that succeeds due to the sheer power of the soundtrack and Prince's undeniable star power. If you're looking for a film with Oscar-worthy performances, this may not be it. But if you want to experience the magic of Prince in his prime, Purple Rain is an absolute must-see. RottenPop gives this four stars.
As an interesting tidbit, it's worth noting that David Geffen and Richard Pryor apparently turned down opportunities to work on this project. In the end, Prince even fired his manager and entrusted director Albert Magnoli with those responsibilities. This just goes to show the level of control and passion Prince had for this project, making it all the more intriguing.
Purple Rain
Release Date: July 27th, 1984 (USA and Germany)
RottenPop Rating: ★★★★
Director: Albert Magnoli | Writers: Prince, Albert Magnoli, & William Blinn
Starring: Prince, Apollonia, Morris Day, and Clarence Williams III
Studios: Purple Films and Warner Brothers
Country: USA
Genres: Drama, Musical
