Graffiti Bridge tried to ride the coattails of Purple Rain, but it just doesn’t come close. Purple Rain was raw and electric. This one feels like a half-dream that never wakes up. The only real saving grace is the music. Mavis Staples kills it on Melody Cool, and a young Tevin Campbell shows off with Round and Round. Prince, of course, still brings it; his weakest songs are still better than most people’s best. But the movie itself? One long music video on sound stages. It’s hard to even focus on this second viewing 30+ years later. Skip the film, spin the soundtrack.
Graffiti Bridge tried to ride the coattails of Purple Rain, but it just doesn’t come close. Purple Rain was raw and electric. This one feels like a half-dream that never wakes up. The only real saving grace is the music. Mavis Staples kills it on Melody Cool, and a young Tevin Campbell shows off with Round and Round. Prince, of course, still brings it; his weakest songs are still better than most people’s best. But the movie itself? One long music video on sound stages. It’s hard to even focus on this second viewing 30+ years later. Skip the film, spin the soundtrack.
