(Review originally written at 16 August 2005)
This rock-opera is a cult camp-classic alright. It's über-weird and is filled with some fantastic visuals. No, this most certainly ain't a movie for just everyone but when you are a fan of these sort of movie's you'll absolutely adore this one as well.
The movie has no dialog and is completely sung, which in my opinion makes it weird that Ann-Margret got an Oscar nomination and won a Golden Globe for her role in this movie. I don't know I just have something against actors receiving Oscar nominations or winning any other big movie award for playing a role in a musical movie. Musical acting and 'normal' movie acting are two totally different things that are totally on different levels and require a totally different approach. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Ann-Margret was not good in this movie but receiving big movie awards and nominations for a musical role was just totally out of place.
Person I enjoyed most in this movie was Oliver Reed. He seemed to be the only one who didn't took his role completely serious and he plays his part with lots of fun and joy. Also it was fantastic to see Jack Nicholson in a fairly big cameo appearance. The rest of the movie is filled with appearances of famous artists such as Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Elton John and of course members of 'The Who'.
I admit that I'm not the biggest musical fan around but I can appreciate the way this movie is made, both visually as well as musically. The movie is pretty weird and features lots of symbolism, that forms in a way a satire on religion. The movie is not as accessible as for instance the other well known rock-opera and in my opinion far superior "Jesus Christ Superstar" from 1973. Because this movie is not really accessible to everyone I find it hard whether or not to recommend this movie. Even though I thought the movie was just plain weird at times and I'm not the biggest fan of the music in the movie, I was still entertained by it and somehow also enjoyed watching it. So perhaps everyone should give this movie at least once a chance.
7/10
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