Flashback: Best Extended Video Ever
The 1980s came and went along with my childhood, never to be seen from again. All we have are memories and the 1984 film Purple Rain. Directed by Albert Magnoli and Starring Prince (as the Kid), Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, and Clarence Williams III, Purple Rain is at its best a guilty pleasure and nostalgia rolled up into one.
He's cool onstage until Apollonia shows up with Morris.
I wondered once, if we can consider this film a backstage musical, after all, music is the central focus, and it’s all about “putting on the show.” There’s a new starlet on the scene (Apollonia), and some more than risqué behavior. Also we got several musical numbers in this film. Not all by Prince & the Revolution. If you ever saw the sequel to PR, Graffiti Bridge (don’t if you haven’t – I still have bad feelings about that film, and Under the Cherry Moon), it does resemble more of a musical film as its shot on a stage and the songs are very much diegetic.
It was hard to think of doing a serious reading of this film, but then again it does represent a place in time where there were multiple artists that I liked: Prince, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. Each commanded attention. To keep the focus on Prince, he was on top of his game musically. His blending of various musical styles into what’s called “Minneapolis Funk” is nothing short of brilliant. Truly the music of Purple Rain rules this film. The music here is diegetic-part of the story’s world. People are having a good time to this music.
If Purple Rain did anything, it gave us a glimpse of who we thought Prince was: A talented musician who was douchey to his band mates (He’s a real ass to Wendy & Lisa in the film). He becomes infatuated with Apollonia, who comes to town in search of something. I forgot…it’s not really important. Just know the Kid’s scorn is immense for her when he sings “Darling Nikki” after she shows up in the club with Morris.
I will say Morris Day is a scene-stealer as the Kid’s rival for Apollonia and musically. Day’s band, The Time, rocks the house with their performances of “Jungle Love” and “The Bird.” That mix of over-the-top arrogance, dapper clothes and charisma actually makes an overt foil for the Kid’s withdrawn, calm emo-jerk persona.
Yeah, he rocked it!
The story is very simple and straightforward. The acting is even simpler, however I don’t think anyone ever watches Purple Rain for the acting chops. For me I watch it because it does represent a time from the 80s where the music was tight, and the story of boy meets girl, boy goes through the motions, and then rocks everybody with a song is pure fantasy.
