to be honest it was the first time I saw the movie in its entirety. I saw part of it once before, but I just wasn't into Prince then.

I was so moved by the emotion of Purple Rain. I haven't been the same since. I have many questions that I know long-time fans probably know the answer to; but mostly, I'm curious as to how others interpreted the movie; here goes:

Although the character “Prince” grew up in a "traditional" family he was very much alone. Because of the magnitude of his talent he struggled to define himself and to balance the dichotomy of his magnificent talent versus his tremendously, troubled home life. (Many people have this struggle, but few make it in the end.)

He deeply loved, but was cautious to love deeply because of the hurt experienced at home. In the end, he recognized that through love (even though tough, at times), one gains hope and strength. As he opened up to the possibility of love (faith), which gave him comfort he began to develop further.

Reminds me of the Fisher King.

Interesting thoughts. I certainly didn't pick all that up when I was where u are.

The first time I saw it in its entirity, I just wanted to know what it was all about, what the storyline was and how'd he get himself into the trouble he did.

I don't think I really had the time to really go into things to the extent that you did.

If anything, it showed me the kind of life he lived and got a real look inside his head from more than just a verbal/musical approach, but visually as well.

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

I suppose I was looking to find the catalyst for his brilliance. Perhaps over analyzed things. He's so intriguing.

Twinkly1 said:

Hey, I overanalyze all the time.

But yes, he is very intriguing... one of my favorite characteristics about him.

I saw PR for the first time when I was 12 (in 1998 lol) and I don't think I had any epiphanies like you did.

I didn't really know much about Prince at the time and I actually thought that his entire band--Wendy, Lisa, Dr. Fink, etc.--were just a bunch of actors. I didn't know the Revolution was actually his band or anything like that. So I learned alot after I watched the movie.

But now that I'm 21, I totally get the film and yeah I think about everything that went down.

It's a bloody good movie!

I like it when Jerome Benton puts Morris Day's woman in a huge trashcan cause she's annoying him too much.

And I like the bit where Prince's Dad starts to play COMPUTER BLUE on his piano. Wish I had that piano version.

Actually, my favourite live performance in the movie is COMPUTER BLUE. The cheoreography of Prince and his guitar playing is so amazing.

Heck, I love the whole movie.

Now you gotta rent UNDER THE CHERRY MOON. Totally fab as well. Christopher Tracey is more fun and less brooding than The Kid. More like the Prince we know and love.

DaveDare79 said:

Same here! Omg, it's unbelieveable. That scene still drives me crazy after... well, 16x isnt really that many.

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Yeah, it's the way he dances around while playing the guitar parts of the song. So fab.

Man, this is gonna be one of them "PR reminiscing" threads.

So many good scenes. And I can remember exactly which lines I heard the first time I caught any of it... that fateful day those years ago. And just those few lines showed me the kind of person he was and what made him so different.

The scene where he's pacing in his dressing room, I think stuck pretty well, cuz I knew him to be a little tempermental... yeah, more than a little. But I'll always remember the line "Your music makes sense 2 no one but urself"

That's when I knew that his music went far beyond what anyone else has done.

And the fact that he wanted 2 do only the music he wrote shows a sense of pride & dedication. Just the little things, I picked up on and that drew the original picture I had of him. And I still believe that same picture today, but now I know there's more 2 him... a lot more.

apart from the music sections, it's insanely cheesy and pretty shitty in general. as a vocal prince fan i feel embarassed showing it to people.

the best bits are the bits with wendy & lisa. wendy is so goddamn cool in that movie its unbelievable

I love Purple Rain, and I whole heartedly believe in the concept it introduces for Graffiti Bridge. You have your home life, and you have the family that you establish making music. And when you have a difference of musical opinion, you duel your opponents. Now that's cool.

btw, check out my thread here. For my latest analysis on the album:

http://prince.org/msg/7/243755

and the one that came b4 it.

theghostoftonym said:

I know what you mean, but I didn't think it was so cheesey since it was filmed around 1984 - just post disco. If you look at other movies of that era, they all look the same, the clothes, hair, film quality, etc.

Wendy and Lisa were cool. Kinda there to help balance the Kid out--if your homegirls (sisters) can't tell you about yourself, nobody can.

I thought interesting the rivalry btwn Prince aka "the Kid" and Morris Day. The Kid, all about the music and Morris all about the Show--what a contrast. Still now the debate rages on--Prince is about the music, he's commented on how musical instruments are better than turntables or manufactured music, etc.

I liked the monkey in the cup...wonder what that symbolizes? And, all of the in the background, i.e., in the crowd, on the walls, on the dolls? Do they (the ) have something to do with why he does not like people to look him directly in the ?
[Edited 9/9/07 23:24pm]

Twinkly1 said:

Yeah, a lot of good stuff's been said here. Since I got the DVD, I've really started to appreciate The Revolution and what they bring 2 the group. I'm a bit embarassed 2 say that I didn't care as much about them as I do now.
And the whole rivalry, it's an interesting take on it, especially after I learned that those two were kinda rivals, but it's like "sibling rivalry," cuz they grew up together.

And yes, LOVE the monkey, it's hilarious. Especially when they used his voice 4 it and the expression on his face when it's talking.
His bedroom often made me wonder if his real bedroom looked anything like that, littered with all those dolls and pictures.

After seeing the movie a few times, you start to soak in the background and other players... so when he's on screen, my eyes're always on his. So intense...

If the events in the movie happened in real life, The Kid would be looking at some jail time.

We've got (2) counts of Assault and Battery for the two beat-downs he gave Appolonia. (1) count of Kidnapping and (1) count of Aggravated Sexual Battery also committed against Appolonia. Then there are Hit and Run and Attempted Murder charges for the motorcycle attack against Morris.

FreeMuze said:

That's hilarious... not that I care 2 much about all the wrong things he did.

And 4 certain, I know that a couple of the father-son scenes did happen to him in real life.

FreeMuze said:

It's a gritty movie. The Kid's behavior stems from his broken home life, from which he tries to escape. For him music is much more than a career--it's his salvation. It's through music that he finally makes peace with his bandmates, his father, his club owner, and his girlfriend. The stage is the only place where he feels truly free, and in the final three song set he makes a jailbreak from all his troubles.

padawan said:

"For him music is much more than a career--it's his salvation. It's through music that he finally makes peace with his bandmates, his father, his cub owner, and his girlfriend."
"
Seems so simple when stated that way but sounds so right.

Twinkly1 said:

Yep. Sweet and simple resolution to a pretty good movie.

It was a while ago, I'm guessing summer '04 when I saw parts of the movie on VH1. I've told everyone this story, like this is all I saw of the movie until Spring Break of this year.

Strange as it sounds, with little 2 work with, I understood exactly the kind of person he is.
I saw a young man whose first love in life was music. Music was his life and he only wanted to play the music he wrote himself. Showing me he had a great sense of pride in his work. He's also selfish because he wouldn't play THE SONG the girls wrote because he thought it wouldn't be good enough. But he was a musical genius and I accepted his selfishness/arrogance, so I thought of him as a Van Gough or Mozart-type person. [at the time, I don't think I had the patience & mind to pay attention 2 the song Purple Rain... cuz I don't remember hearing it until I saw the movie as a whole.

Then I saw him perform those last 2 songs, which I was already very familair with. My dad said "I put these on the mix back 2 back, cuz they're two parts in the movie." I saw what he could do and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I never really made a move in his direction until recently (7 months ago).

But everything I gathered that day was exactly true and that's the way I continue to see him now. Only I take a lot more into account. [the fact he's not entirely selfish being one of them]

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

I think in some ways we're all a little bit selfish, especially when your "on the hook" for producing something and you know that you're the one who has to pay the price-- if it isn't right. I struggle with this from time to time (at work and even when cooking Thanksgiving dinner); so I can imagine the pressure to perform without flaw is greater when in the public eye.