Tommy
With this spellbinding Grand Masterpiece that sees the Undisputed Greatest Rock Opera Of All Time adapted into arguably the greatest Rock Musical Ever Made, Ken Russell virtually invented the concept of the music video as we know it today. Combining a bright multi-color palatte with kitschy but cool production design and some truly eyepopping hallucingenic visuals, Russell shows that he is one of the underrated masters of the 20th century. Much has been made of the changes in the music from the Who’s original album, as the meticulous beat and pace seems to have been injected with steroids and amped up to the ninth degree, but given Russell’s style here, it’s perfectly appropriate that the music be as over the top as the film it accompanies. A fine example would be Acid Queen. What started as a slow meditative dirge about falling under an evil influence has, with Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood’s guitar licks, turned into an over-the-top LSD trip from hell, for which the viewer can only hope to hang on to his armrests until it comes to its conclusion. Then of course there is that one of a kind cast, an assortment of legends we will never see gathered together again. Roger Daltrey as Tommy brings solid charisma and likability to a role he played on stage literally hundreds of times, and he’s ably supported by his Who bandmates Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon (as Uncle Ernie), along with Ann-Margret (a Golden Globe Winner and Oscar Nominee for Best Actress), Oliver Reed (all but stealing the movie even though he can’t sing), Elton John (in the film’s most entertaining scene), Tina Turner (unforgettable with limited screen time), Paul Nicholas (not a big name but still kicks ass as Cousin Kevin), Eric Clapton (so stoned on heroin he can barely stand), Jack Nicholson (yes, he does sing), and even John Lennon! In the end, with a proper home theatre and sound system setup, an unmatched experience in coolness and high art that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime…
10/10