I hadn't watched it in years and just checked it out again. Holy s**t...just such a powerful film. It was just a Prince at the height of his powers....just devastating.

And the performance scenes were just filmed and edited beautifully. Albert Magnoli co-wrote the script, plus edited it (and directed of course). He should probably get more credit than he usually does.

But PR just kicked my ass when I was 15 y/o and first watched at the theater. I see why it made such a huge impression on me...damn.

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[Edited 7/26/11 22:35pm]

Well, aside from music I wouldnt call it good

ManlyMoose said:

Well, aside from music I wouldnt call it good

It has more going for it than the music...sure the acting is not all Oscar-worthy but there are some well-written scenes and the scenes with The Kid and his parents are touching. And the ones with Appolonia are well-played and romantic/sexy. But yeah the music is what takes it to another level (and beyond) of course.

I would say it's a great concert film...not a great movie by any means though. Terrible cinemetography, bad editing, bad acting, bad supporting cast. It's redemed to great extent by musical performances. The writing was very one-demensional.

Without somekind of pre-existing personal investment in prince's character...doesn't draw much emotion.

Except ONE scene...the dressing room scene with Wendy...and that was ALL Wendy...

I like Purple Rain!

Of course the music is fantastic, those live scenes...

but also just to hear Prince talk, watching him....... I find that amazing.

FunkiestOne said:

Albert Magnoli co-wrote the script, plus edited it (and directed of course). He should probably get more credit than he usually does.

Purple Rain proves that Prince can make a good movie when he puts his ego aside and allows a skilled director to help him out.With UTCM and GB,Prince got a little too confident and thought that he could do it all (write,direct,choreograph,etc).

Good things about the Purple Rain movie:

- The pseudo live performances

- Acting performance from Prince's father.

BobGeorge909 said:

I would say it's a great concert film...not a great movie by any means though. Terrible cinemetography, bad editing, bad acting, bad supporting cast. It's redemed to great extent by musical performances. The writing was very one-demensional.

Without somekind of pre-existing personal investment in prince's character...doesn't draw much emotion.

Except ONE scene...the dressing room scene with Wendy...and that was ALL Wendy...

How was the editing bad? They incorporated over 20 minutes of concert and made it work so you didn't feel like you were watching a concert film. It's flawed, but it works. Movies from the 80's rarely hold up anyway.

BobGeorge909 said:

I would say it's a great concert film...not a great movie by any means though. Terrible cinemetography, bad editing, bad acting, bad supporting cast. It's redemed to great extent by musical performances. The writing was very one-demensional.

Without somekind of pre-existing personal investment in prince's character...doesn't draw much emotion.

Except ONE scene...the dressing room scene with Wendy...and that was ALL Wendy...

It was supposed to be a fun/dramatic concert type film

the attempted suicide scene was intense, each 'family' violence scene was intense

Yes Wendy's acting in the dressing room was really good. the Purple Rain kiss

Some of the best acting is done in looks and action/gestures and I think PR had a lot of that, even little things like Morris stepping back and considering Prince's family situation/remorse

There are many different types of movies, Purple Rain was terrific

1 of the things to me that is the glue for the film outside of the music and visuals is the 'chemistry'

the connection: just about everyone in the film was a part of Prince's life to some degree from exgirlfriends from high school:Kim the taxi driver and mc were both a part of Prince's crew, Chic, the whole history of Prince & 1st Avenue, the bands, Billy. It was just the glue I believe

treehouse said:

BobGeorge909 said:

I would say it's a great concert film...not a great movie by any means though. Terrible cinemetography, bad editing, bad acting, bad supporting cast. It's redemed to great extent by musical performances. The writing was very one-demensional.

Without somekind of pre-existing personal investment in prince's character...doesn't draw much emotion.

Except ONE scene...the dressing room scene with Wendy...and that was ALL Wendy...

How was the editing bad? They incorporated over 20 minutes of concert and made it work so you didn't feel like you were watching a concert film. It's flawed, but it works. Movies from the 80's rarely hold up anyway.

That isnt true at all. There are tons of great 80s movies

Star Wars

Indiana Jones

The Shining

Scarface

E.T.

The Terminator

Tootsie

Just to name a few.

[Edited 7/27/11 7:54am]

[Edited 7/27/11 8:14am]

Actualy it's one of my favorites. He's a good actor!

I LIKE "Purple Rain" but I don't love it. I think the best parts of the film for me was of course the music and Morris Day, who I found to be hillarious in the movie. The storyline is pretty good, but I don't think it's a great movie.

Now "Under The Cherry Moon" I LOVE and adore. My fave Prince movie. I never tire of that one.

It's a very good movie for what it is - but I would hardly call it "a great f'ing movie," in general.

Citizen Kane, Casablanca and Gone With the Wind are great f'ing movies. Purple Rain...not so much.

There's another thread stating how silly this movie is, & that its not any good. Although I do agree its silly, its a great movie, Im crazy about PR & UTCM but please dont remind me of GB

Oh & its the music which makes this film powerful, seeing it displayed in being projected into a script, is just cool, & The Kid & MD's rivalry is another thing that adds 2 this movie.

It's great in a goofy '80s way. The acting is hilarious, none of the jokes work, and the story is impossible to care about, but it's so much fun.

Am I the only one who noticed that Prince never changes out of his pirate outfits? Seriously, those are his street clothes.

Shockedelicus said:

It's great in a goofy '80s way. The acting is hilarious, none of the jokes work, and the story is impossible to care about, but it's so much fun.

Am I the only one who noticed that Prince never changes out of his pirate outfits? Seriously, those are his street clothes.

Agree on everything, especially the notice at the end haha, but from time to time I watch the movie and it gets better and better, not better than the second time though But i can't watch it too much cuz i dont wanna lose my appreciation for it

I can and DO watch Purple Rain over and over again. I don't care about the quality.... color saturation...... and all that other movie mumbo jumbo.....who the fuck cares

If it's on tv I'm watching it.....if I'm bored I'm watching it.....do I see the flaws in it....sure who didn't......but who the fuck cares

The music, Morris, that sex scene , the tossing up of the music sheets, the shot of the Cloud guitar,Prince sweaty ass body, the look over the specs at Apples in the bar,the ruffles, Sex Shooter, "don't I keep the heat on" The kiss on the cheek, Darling Nikki, The ass shot as he walks down the basement to create Purple Rain...come on now you have to love ALL of that!

and if ya don't..............

who fucking cares

Aside from the musical performances it's pretty bad, especially the acting, which is fucking awful (Jill Jones and Appolonia are especially terrible). Prince is fine one minute and horrible the next. The love scenes were pretty cringe worthy. I dunno. I liked it at the time but I never re-watch it. I'm tired of the songs and the concert footage and one you strip those away it's a pretty mediocre movie.

the music is good and great performances but the movie is not good at all.

Happy 27th birthday Purple Rain movie!

herb4 said:

Aside from the musical performances it's pretty bad, especially the acting, which is fucking awful (Jill Jones and Appolonia are especially terrible). Prince is fine one minute and horrible the next. The love scenes were pretty cringe worthy. I dunno. I liked it at the time but I never re-watch it. I'm tired of the songs and the concert footage and one you strip those away it's a pretty mediocre movie.

This