When music wore make-up!

Re-live glitter and glam in Todd Haynes' Velvet Goldmine which takes you to the pump-heeled, blue haired, bi-sexual generation of the 70's.


Inspired by the life and times of David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, Velvet Goldmine is the story of a Brian Slade whose Maxwell Demon transforms him into one forever, as he loses himself behind his mask of glittering make-up. Kudos to Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who pulls off colour on his face better than i ever will. And for not losing class with the mangina attire.


It's sad that David Bowie didn't really approve of the script so we don't have his venous music. But some tracks are magnifique, with Thom Yorke playing his part as the Venus and the Furs, and Roxy Music, David Gray among the many tuning the soundtrack. Christian Bale, a former loyal glam-rock fan, converts to straight journalism a decade after Brian Slade fakes his death and falls a shooting star. His search for the story rekindles his memories and brings him face-to-face with Curt Wild (Ewan McGregor), the infamous lover of Brian and his comrade in marching rebellion (who was given electroshock therapy as a kid to make him cure his homosexuality). The two make music, love and magic, all together on and off-stage. Which just cures a lot of hopeless-love for me. 

Make-up wins and paints the world red, blue and shiny. (Well, those were the 70's! Now we have Lady Gaga and Nicki MInaj.) 

P.s. the reference to Oscar Wilde throughout tingles my rainbow soul. 

(Jiggy to Ziggyness here)