ALBERT MAGNOLI

Bil’s rating (out of 5):     BB.5. 

USA, 1984.  Warner Bros., Purple Films.  Screenplay by William Blinn, Albert Magnoli.  Cinematography by Donald E. Thorin.  Produced by Robert Cavallo, Steven Fargnoli, Joseph Ruffalo.  Music by Michel Colombier, Prince.  Production Design by Ward Preston.  Costume Design by Marie France.  Film Editing by Albert Magnoli, Ken Robinson.  

Prince makes his big screen debut in this poorly scripted fable about a rock musician who longs to become famous. Working at a popular nightclub, The Kid (Prince) plays his kickass tunes to thunderous applause but can’t manage to win the same respect in his personal life. His new girlfriend (Apollonia Kotero) loves him but tires of his abusive ways, while his band members don’t feel loyal to him because he is constantly passing their creative input over in favour of his own control. Prince’s acting is lamentable (and they say Madonna is bad?), but the musical score of the film still sounds terrific after so many years. Hits like ‘When Doves Cry’, ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ and the title song never go out of style, and if for nothing else, they make the movie worth watching. Otherwise, it’s a giant bore with the typical youthful-rebellion plot that permeated so many teenage-driven movies in the eighties.

Academy Award:  Best Original Song Score

Golden Globe Award Nomination:  Best Original Song (“When Doves Cry”)