Graffiti Bridge is a film written directed and starring Prince and most notable for the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The film is a sequel to Prince's highly successful first film project, Purple Rain. The plot re-joins Purple Rain's lead character The Kid, in his future life as a performer and club co-owner. Morris Day, his rival from Purple Rain, returns as co-owner of Prince's club Glam Slam as well as several others in the area, including his mainstay Pandemonium. Prince is forced into paying Morris $10,000 so Morris can pay off the mayor; Prince in turn can keep co-ownership of his club. Losing clientelle, Prince challenges Morris to a music battle for ownership of Glam Slam. The film was panned universally for having a wealth of filler; indeed, the film seems to be a collection of music videos strung together with a loose plotline. The film's screenplay was even rejected by Madonna, who turned down the role of the mysterious angel-like figure, Aura, stating that the writing was awful. Many fans of Prince regard Graffiti Bridge as the lowest point of his career.

The critical response for the film was far from favourable, with many reviewers arguing that Prince was attempting to position himself as a "Christ-like" figure, particularly during the sequence for the songs "Still Would Stand All Time" and "Graffiti Bridge". It seemed that the kid was a far different character from the one in Purple Rain. Indeed the only character who remained unchanged was Morris Day (and his sidekick Jerome Benton). Cameos included gospel singer Mavis Staples, up-and-coming teen star Tevin Campbell and funk icon George Clinton, although each was confined to roughly one song in the film. The music of the film was seen as the highlight, although only "Thieves In The Temple" really made an impact on the charts.

Whilst his earlier movies have become cult classics, Graffiti Bridge has yet to transcend into cultdom. It's universally accepted as his career nadir, with even a re-release on DVD failing to sell to the masses.

Graffiti Bridge got its title from an actual railroad bridge in northern Eden Prairie, Minnesota that crossed over Valley View Road. It was legal to spray graffiti on the bridge, and when the movie came out, an large mural of Prince was featured on the bridge. The bridge was torn down in the early 90's when Valley View Road needed to be widened (the road narrowed to one lane under the bridge, with each direction of traffic taking turns to pass under). When the bridge was torn down, pieces of the bridge were sold as mementos along with a miniature newspaper article about the bridge.
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Categories: Drama film stubs | 1990 films | Prince films | Worst Picture Razzie Nominee

That review actually wasn't too harsh

I personally love Graffiti Bridge (movie and album), but I agree
it does have quite a few flaws.

However it seems Oscar-worthy when compared to In The Mix


BTW meltwithu, are you from Baltimore?
cause your signature had me laughing my ass off

thekidsgirl said:

yup--i'm here in Crabtown aka Bawlmer, Murderland

meltwithu said:

Ahh, I know what you mean. I call this crap hole home too

where you at boo-boo? i grew up in edmondson village, but i live downtown/westside now, near mlk blvd

The review wasn't that harsh, actually. The movie was crap, but it's still nice to see someone go easy on it for once.

meltwithu said:

and there you have it...lol

meltwithu said:

aww cool, I know where you're talking bout. Im living in Randalls-clown, I mean "town" near the good ole Liberty Road/ Milford Mill area.

thekidsgirl said:

aiight--i used to work at security mall--right where the guy just got killed--baltimore county is just as bad as the city--they moved all the roughnecks out from downtown to bring the yuppies back in

BELIEVE--yeah right!

meltwithu said:

Speaking of "roughnecks", last night I was at the TGIFridays in Owings Mills and
while waiting for a table this random old lady leans over
and says "you know somebody got shot here last week right? Those
roughnecks are everywhere"

I was just like "ehh, ok thanks"

but yeah, Imma keep on "believing"

meltwithu said:

Have those fans EVER listened to "1999-The new master"?