An Amazing Journey Indeed

Have been watching this film a lot lately.  Is it the music with its driving rock and synthesizer rhythms?  Is it the outrageous and spectacular visuals that only Ken Russell could come up with?  Is it the stunning Ann-Margret in her Academy Award nominated performance as Nora Walker?

Is it Tina Turner's mesmerizing turn as the Acid Queen?  Whatever it is, it's a film that is no doubt in the "cult status" category.  Having heard the original concept album, I wondered how it could ever translate into film.  Well, when you're in high school, you think it can be done, but it is not a major concern until you are in college and want to be cool because you know all about the making of this film.

Visually it is a delight for the sense of sight.  The colors, the movement of the camera, the visual effects...definitely a product of Ken Russell's imagination.  I believe Ken Russell is a highly-charged reincarnation of Busby Berkley!  For the ears, the music when seen at the Northpoint Theatre, was loud due to the then high tech "Quintaphonic" sound.  4 speakers in the theatre and one more behind the screen...surround sound in the making.  

Perhaps the best sequence, IMHO, is the "Acid Queen" with Tina Turner.  Urban legend has it that Roger Daltry was scared during the filming of the scene.  It lasts 14 minutes and depicts a red, red acid trip.  Tina Turner is the Acid Queen.  She needed no prepping, as I am sure her concerts displayed the same rabid, intense energy she showed in the film.  

"Champagne" was written for the movie and is a very bizarre scene indeed.  Tommy's mother realizes that all the money Tommy has earned for his family is not worth anything.  (What's it all worth when my son is blind, He can't hear the music nor enjoy what I'm buying...)  The climax of the scene was worth the price of admission...the hurling of the champagne bottle into a big screen TV, and the frothing forth of detergent suds, chocolate and baked beans into a messy puddle of guilt.   And Ann-Margret writhing, swimming, cavorting in this tempestuous mess...what a visual treat!!!

But wait!  There's more.  Elton John in ginormous logger's boots; Eric Clapton as a Priest of the Order of Marilyn Monroe; Jack Nicholson as a doctor, and The Who themselves, Roger Daltry, Keith Moon, John Entwistle and Pete Townsend.  You have to see TOMMY.  It was a great midnight movie.  

"Today it rained champagne

A son was born again

A genius unchained

A life of wealth and fame

Wealth and fame!"