In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Friday 21 October 2011

Tommy (1975)

Tommy is psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind but he plays pinball like a boss; and he has Jesus hair.
Ken Russell and Oliver Reed team up again, this time for a musical with the “rock opera” of the The Who as a basis; I can’t imagine how that came about. Ollie Reed’s singing voice isn't great, but it suits his character. Ann-Margret does a fantastic job with her part as a guilty mom.
Much of the fail comes from the musical guests; Eric Clapton and Tina Turner’s sections are especially awful.
It makes sense that the band chose a British director, but I would have thought Russell way down the list. He brings his usual unique/genius/film whore technique into play and mostly it’s a success. I like it.

4 suds and mud and beans to bathe in out of 5

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