chrisnu
12-04-2007, 06:16 AM
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b344/chrisnu/bvd.jpg
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Directed by: Russ Meyer
Year: 1970
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls occurs when a young rock band, with stars in their eyes, head out to LA, and mingle with the freaky people. Ronnie ‘Z-Man’ Barzell, the ‘teen tycoon’ of rock-and-roll, personally sees to their ascent in success and popularity, as well as their introduction into a fantastically unhinged, rapacious lifestyle. Oh yes, the glamor, the adoration, the sex and drugs are there… but at what personal cost?
The musical performances, the editing and visual tricks, the acting, if you will, are kinetic, electric, vivacious. Particularly enjoyable are Kelly Mac Namara’s exercises of power. It’s like a child gloating about a newfound quarter. Z-Man is a self-aware constructions in that he is fun to watch, but is actually rather creepy, when you think about it. The danger inherent in having the freedom to do absolutely anything you want is that the total lack of self-restraint can result in vacuous hedonism, or a detachment from reality. The film makes the latter point very very clear.
What’s underneath the grandeur and bombast is how differently characters use sex (and there’s a lot of it). Sex as a simple pleasure, as an expression of love, as a weapon, as a commodity, as a means of identity, or to escape from one. In most cases, it’s a primary means of predation. Also underneath is how easily values change, or are easily lost, when money comes with the music.
While it may be part of the point, the film had somewhat established boundaries of ridiculousness that are toppled right over in the final act. It may be self-aware, and yes, it does have something to say regarding the value of character, but yes, excess was possible, and is achieved. It seems like getting laid, and she leaves a religious tract under your pillow in the morning. It’s quizzical, and its grotesque cartoonishness is apt, but it chokes on its own tongue. Nevertheless, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is prurient fun, memorable for the music, the flesh, and all that crazy dialogue.
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Directed by: Russ Meyer
Year: 1970
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls occurs when a young rock band, with stars in their eyes, head out to LA, and mingle with the freaky people. Ronnie ‘Z-Man’ Barzell, the ‘teen tycoon’ of rock-and-roll, personally sees to their ascent in success and popularity, as well as their introduction into a fantastically unhinged, rapacious lifestyle. Oh yes, the glamor, the adoration, the sex and drugs are there… but at what personal cost?
The musical performances, the editing and visual tricks, the acting, if you will, are kinetic, electric, vivacious. Particularly enjoyable are Kelly Mac Namara’s exercises of power. It’s like a child gloating about a newfound quarter. Z-Man is a self-aware constructions in that he is fun to watch, but is actually rather creepy, when you think about it. The danger inherent in having the freedom to do absolutely anything you want is that the total lack of self-restraint can result in vacuous hedonism, or a detachment from reality. The film makes the latter point very very clear.
What’s underneath the grandeur and bombast is how differently characters use sex (and there’s a lot of it). Sex as a simple pleasure, as an expression of love, as a weapon, as a commodity, as a means of identity, or to escape from one. In most cases, it’s a primary means of predation. Also underneath is how easily values change, or are easily lost, when money comes with the music.
While it may be part of the point, the film had somewhat established boundaries of ridiculousness that are toppled right over in the final act. It may be self-aware, and yes, it does have something to say regarding the value of character, but yes, excess was possible, and is achieved. It seems like getting laid, and she leaves a religious tract under your pillow in the morning. It’s quizzical, and its grotesque cartoonishness is apt, but it chokes on its own tongue. Nevertheless, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is prurient fun, memorable for the music, the flesh, and all that crazy dialogue.