Tommy (1975) was the film adaptation of the Who's classic concept album Tommy. The film and the album are slightly different (the re-recorded songs pale to the real deal). But it was interesting to see avant-garde film maker Ken Russell re-imagine Tommy for the big screen. The movie has an all-star cast of eccentric and top stars (Oliver Reed, Ann-Margaret, Jack Nicholson) and pop stars (Tina Turner, Roger Daltry, Keith Moon, Eric Clapton, Elton John and The Who themselves, as a group on stage).

The music was changed and performed for the movie. Most of the dialog was sung (by all of the actors) and Ken Russell changed some of the story to fit the movie. If you're a fan of the album you might be disappointed by the movie. But it's worth a watch just to see Oliver Reed, Ann-Margaret (in total HOT mode) and the others as they make cameo appearances and guest spots. I was slight disappointed but I was pleased with the results. I just wished they used the original music whenever they could.

Recommended for Who and Ken Russell fans.

I can't stand this movie. It is 100% self-indulgent crap that has somehow gained cult status. I just don't understand HOW this has occurred, except that, perhaps, many of the movie's fans were so burnt out by drugs in the 1970s that they lost ALL sense of taste and perspective. To me, this movie represents some of the worst of pop culture of the decade (apart from movies like Roller Boogie).

"Art"? No way!! This is an overdone and overacted movie throughout. I can't think of a single moment I liked--it was like a GIANT migraine that just wouldn't quit.

You don't believe me?! Well try watching it yourself. Then, explain to me the artistic value of Ann-Margret bathing in baked beans as they shoot out of her TV set at her, the Eric Clapton tribute to Marilyn Monroe (which probably resulted in her haunting him ever since) and Roger Daltry's ridiculous performance (as he manages to OVERPLAY the role of Tommy, a deaf and blind man). Ay, ay, ay, what a mess! This movie is SO dumb that it isn't even funny or worth laughing at--especially since so many were in rapture about it when it debuted.

And, although I am repeating myself, DON'T BE QUICK TO CHECK OFF "not helpful" for this review until you can figure out what is artistic or good about the whole bathing in baked beans that fly out of the TV set scene! This is stupid and any thinking person should be willing to admit it.

If you want a BAD musical that is fun to laugh at, try The Apple. It, too, is self-indulgent hooey, but at least it was NEVER mistaken by anyone for ART!

Ken Russell has always been an interesting director but also a very controversial one, for example Women in Love, The Devils, Mahler and The Music Lovers are great(though his biopics on Elgar, Delius and Debussy are even better where you see Russell in restrained mode) but Lisztomania and Salome's Last Dance not so much. As someone who does like The Who and thoroughly enjoyed the school production of Tommy with my sister as the mother, Tommy was a lot of fun. It is though the sort of film that will divide viewers, Russell does go overboard with the excess that are not always relevant to what's happening, Roger Daltry goes too overboard(also rather swamped by his colleagues),Eric Clapton is bland and while his voice is not that bad Jack Nicholson is one of those talented actors who is not used very well, verging on wasted actually. Tommy does look great though, the surrealist look is positively hypnotic and the photography is very well suited for the atmosphere. The songs are outstandingly catchy, with Pinball Wizard being the most memorable one, and orchestration-wise it is rousingly power-house, to have the Who themselves involved was a great idea that paid off well(though you do wish that Keith Moon wasn't the only one with a substantial character). Some parts are on the overblown and excessive side but there are a number of great moments especially Pinball Wizard, Acid Queen and Champagne(though it is somewhat true too that it is an example of excess). Likewise the story of the film and the musical is just absurd and knows it, seeing as Tommy is a satirical rock-opera that didn't mar things. Most of the performances are good, true Oliver Reed's singing ability is very limited(as is Keith Moon's actually) but he plays a real sleaze with perfect gusto. Moon himself is appropriately repellent. Tina Turner gives a bat-out-of-hell performance as the Acid Queen and Elton John is fun personified and provides some of the best singing of the film. Best of all is Ann Margaret, she has a great voice acts with energy, charisma and vulnerability. Overall, a very divisive film and not a perfect one but is very entertaining in a strange way. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox