This is How Movies Should Be Made

Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Dodgy spiv record promoter Danny (Daniels) appoints himself manager for spunky but homely and not particularly talented New Wave singer Kate (O'Connor), fires her band and recruits a new one dubbing them 'Breaking Glass'. Immediately a spark ignites and Kate's position is improved as she finally has a band worthy of backing her. But that is far from all that is needed.Harried by drunken club goers, skinheads, police, striking workers and the excesses of the music industry they find their niche. Having sold out to a record company they are gradually played against each other by music executives and a sly producer (Finch). Danny is induced to quit. Gradually the rest of Kate's band quits or are fired and her music becomes more commercial but completely insincere.This examination of life in the recording industry from gruelling bottom to lonely top is very satisfying in a lot of ways. The inside dope on how record companies manipulate chart position is particularly amusing.

It's almost impossible for me to be objective about this film. I first saw it in 1981 as a 12 year old drummer with stars in my eyes. I immediately begged my dad to get me the soundtrack on vinyl and was off memorizing the entire album. It is, by far, one of my favorite movies of all time. The story is decent, the acting is good, and the music is absolutely in tune with the period. The depiction of the music industry with it's main players often exploiting every new trend, sound and artist until it and they are completely exhausted is spot-on. What truly makes this film is the music. Each track is a perfect reflection of Kate's (Hazel O'Connor) journey and is pretty darn catchy to boot. (You'll be humming "Big Brother" for days.) I highly recommend this film, as have others in the forum, for anyone aspiring to be a musician for a living. It is a brilliant parable of having and maintaining control of your art and destiny.

I acquired this, one of my all-time favourite films on DVD recently and as usual, during viewing, the whole thing just blew me away.I am a massive fan of Hazel O'Connor and the soundtrack to this film just has me in tears, especially the "Will You" track. It's a pure nostalgia trip for me back to my youth. This rates second best to Quadrophenia (which also starred Phil Daniels).A great soundtrack and a great view of Britain in the Thatcherite years of the grim 80's in which I grew up. The ending is so sad, for hours after the end of the film I am like a blubbering baby.I expect to wear out this DVD from repeated viewing, I can watch it over and over again and never be bored, simply for the soundtrack alone.Hazel, sorry to hear about your dad darling. God Bless you all. xx

I first saw "Breaking Glass" in 1980, and thought that it would be one of the "Movie Classics". This film is a great look into the music industry with a great cast of performers. This is one film that should be in the collection of everyone and any one that wants to get into the music industry. I can't wait for it to be available on DVD.