Simply Perfect

i know i wasted 90 mins of my life.

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

The great thing about this movie is it's rawness. Objectively, musical movies like Moulin Rouge or Blues Brothers are much more refined. But The Who's Tommy is very raw: in my opinion, the scene transitions are not always perfect, the recording material and post-production does not live up to modern standards and the set-up is sometimes a bit bizarre. But all this gives the movie and edge, supported by the edgy music of the Tommy album itself. If you ask me, it is much better than some more renowned musical movies like Chicago, or even Pink Floyd's The Wall.

Absolutely dreadful film and will always wonder why the Motion Picture Academy gave Ann-Margret a best actress nomination for it. She is rarely seen in the film as her son approaches adulthood.While it is certainly true that the music is supposed to carry the plot, this was way overdone here. You needed some regular interaction of talking among the characters.Since when is Marilyn Monroe a person to be worshiped? This was absolutely ridiculous but that's true regarding the rest of this awful film.Tommy lapses into this state after seeing his father killed, but wasn't dad killed during the war?Tommy, as an adult, resembled Tiny Tim.

If I had known better, I would have stayed away. I am absolutely shocked by this film's glorification of Xenophobia to the mentally challenged (Mostly in the film's case, retarded people) I am not sure if I understand what Ken Russell is trying to say about The film version of one of The Who's greatest works. Now I am thinking. Thinking of things I have never thought about. Have I missed something? The movie is one of the most unpleasant experiences of my movie watching career. Tommy features many scenes of nauseating visual effects, disgusting images, and Xenophobia. Tommy seems to be the most Xenophobic person on the planet after he gets his senses back because he wants everyone to be like him. Hitler Much? Also, The people are Xenophobic to Tommy and kill his parents and he plans revenge or plans to get healed again? I don't know it never explains at the end. Maybe some text could help me? But no, they just say, HEY HIS PARENTS ARE DEAD! HE LOOKS INTO THE SUN! THE END! I never want to see a film like this ever again. I felt sick, filthy, and absolutely awful. I was disturbed immensely by this film so much, that I might need therapy every weekend. AND I LIKED PINK FLOYD THE WALL! 48/100 C-

It is not easy to adequately review this film properly. I am doing a series of presentations to the Society on Ken Russell and while I have the original sound track of Tommy on vinyl I had not seen the movie since its release. With some difficulty I sourced a DVD and watched it the other night and subsequently. This is my fifth attempt at writing a review that I am satisfied with.This could be an offensive movie to many despite the stellar cast and music. It really is quite deranged in parts and simply would not be made today in this form. Cousin Kevin, Uncle Ernie, the Acid Queen, and the Eric Clapton scene (Eyesight to the Blind, in which he reprises the Clapton is God theme from the 60s) are surely calculated to upset everyone, or challenge traditional viewpoints such as Catholicism, false rituals, cults etc. and that clearly is what KR intended doing, and he does it brilliantly. We even get a good measure of paedophilia, sadistic abuse and drug use thrown in as well.In the end I suppose it is also about redemption and the triumph of good over evil which is a marked counterpoint to KRs 'The Devils'. Is it just my opinion or is the close out shot a depiction of Christ on the Cross offering redemption and salvation to all, not just Tommy himself? This is an incredible juxtaposition to Clapton's 'God' scene earlier in the movie. Are also the lyrics to 'Listening to You' not a strong association between Tommy and Christ? I think they are. Listen closely or source the lyrics.This is a movie that deserves and needs serious reflection because it challenges convention, and if you don't like the music, don't go there. It is for me utterly audacious and original but I also appreciate it will be disturbing to many. Appreciate it or hate it for its originality but if it is viewed with an open mind the incredibly positive ending is a tonic for the soul.And of course, the music cannot be faulted. Did Elton John ever exceed his Pinball Wizard role? I think not. I also think Roger Daltrey (Tommy) singing 'I am Free' and "Listening to You' are incredibly uplifting and spiritual. And are Ann-Margaret and Roger Daltrey not the most beautiful creatures on the planet? The 'Healed' scene in the ocean is just gorgeous, as is the strong message about materialism. If Tommy is Christ reborn, is Nora his mother Mary? You can go on and on analysing this movie but the easiest thing is to just go along for the ride.