Category: Musical
Special Review
This review was requested by Patreon support JacksJD. If you'd like to support me on Patreon, click the button below. Visit PatreonSince its formation in 1965, Pink Floyd is considered to be one of the most successful bands of all time. Originally consisting of Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright, the band sold over 250 million records worldwide. As the band rose to prominence in the 70s, Waters felt somewhat alienated from his audiences under the "executive approach". The band used this disillusionment as the basis for the 11th studio album The Wall which was released in 1979. The album was a massive hit, so Pink Floyd decided to adapt the album to film using tour footage. Alan Parker, best known for Fame and Bugsy Malone, was hired to direct, though this led to a troubled production. Parker, Waters, and animation director Gerald Scarfe clashed over the vision and who had the final say on the project. Finally, Pink Floyd: The Wall was released in mid-1982.
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Rating
Synopsis
The film centers around Pink (Bob Geldof), a rock star wracked with depression who has isolated himself from the world. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that his father was killed in WWII, leaving his mother (Christine Hargreaves) alone. He also remembers his school days as a sort of prison camp run by teachers who're unhappy with their lives. Eventually, Pink gets a wife (Eleanor David) who ends up leaving him for another man, starting the wall's construction. Back in the present, Pink becomes increasingly self-destructive, culminating in him destroying his hotel room and trapping himself within. Now fully isolated, Pink shaves off his hair and watches TV until his manager (Bob Hoskins) finds him. During a concert, Pink starts slipping further into insanity, imagining himself as a dictator at a fascist rally. It all leads to him eventually deciding he no longer wants to be in the wall.
Review
Since its release, much has been written about Pink Floyd: The Wall, so I'm not sure what I can add. All I can say is that this is easily one of the most surreal and bizarre films I've ever seen. I mean that in a good way, as this film tells a great story with its odd visuals. The animations by Gerald Scarfe are a sight to behold, feeling like a cross between Ralph Bakshi and Salvador Dali. They complement the live-action sequences, which offer some of the most iconic images ever associated with Pink Floyd. The sequence where school children are on a conveyor belt leading to a meat grinder is easily the most memorable. It's one of those films where even if you're unsure of what's happening, you're never bored because of the visuals. Paired with some great songs, it's a visual and auditory feast.
Admittedly, it's hard to judge this on a narrative level since there's not much in terms of story or dialogue. This film tells its story purely through visuals with little to no dialogue, which can be good and bad. While it doesn't spoonfeed you information, it can also be difficult to discern what's going on unless you're paying attention. In terms of acting, Bob Geldof works thanks to his body language and facial expressions showing his pain and anguish. There are some appearances from Bob Hoskins (Brazil) and a then-unknown Jenny Wright (Near Dark), but they don't do much. At roughly 95 minutes in length, the film moves at a decent pace and never overstays its welcome. Even if you're not a huge Pink Floyd fan, this is still worth a watch for its visual storytelling alone. Overall, Pink Floyd: The Wall is an impressively depressing yet beautiful musical drama.
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