Bette Midler is a force of nature in this tragedy about a famous rock star who dies too young, loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin.
The movie is about what you would expect. It feels a lot like every other movie about self-destructive artists, complete with heaps of drugs and booze and the obligatory breakdown on stage in front of a live audience. It goes on much longer than it needs to, and starts to feel repetitive after a while. I could have used a few scenes less of Alan Bates convincing me that his character is the biggest jackass ever and having shouting matches with Midler. And the on-again-off-again relationship between Midler and a hunkadoodle played by Frederic Forrest also wears out its welcome.
But....and this is a big "but".....this movie is worth watching for Midler's sensational performance. Whenever she's singing in front of an audience, the movie comes alive in a way that many similar movies don't. I've seen lots of films featuring famous actors playing musicians who I didn't buy at all, but for obvious reasons, mainly that she actually was and is a famous musician in real life, Midler is totally believable as the goddess she plays in the film. And when she meets her tragic fate, which you can see coming from a mile away, it actually feels tragic.
Midler was justly nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her performance, and Forrest was nominated as Best Supporting Actor. The film also copped nominations for Best Film Editing and Best Sound.
Grade: B+
The movie is about what you would expect. It feels a lot like every other movie about self-destructive artists, complete with heaps of drugs and booze and the obligatory breakdown on stage in front of a live audience. It goes on much longer than it needs to, and starts to feel repetitive after a while. I could have used a few scenes less of Alan Bates convincing me that his character is the biggest jackass ever and having shouting matches with Midler. And the on-again-off-again relationship between Midler and a hunkadoodle played by Frederic Forrest also wears out its welcome.
But....and this is a big "but".....this movie is worth watching for Midler's sensational performance. Whenever she's singing in front of an audience, the movie comes alive in a way that many similar movies don't. I've seen lots of films featuring famous actors playing musicians who I didn't buy at all, but for obvious reasons, mainly that she actually was and is a famous musician in real life, Midler is totally believable as the goddess she plays in the film. And when she meets her tragic fate, which you can see coming from a mile away, it actually feels tragic.
Midler was justly nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her performance, and Forrest was nominated as Best Supporting Actor. The film also copped nominations for Best Film Editing and Best Sound.
Grade: B+