Tommy

Genre: musical drama

With: Roger Daltrey (Tommy), Oliver Reed (Frank), Ann-Margret (Nora), Elton John (the Pinball Wizard), Eric Clapton (the Preacher), Keith Moon (Uncle Ernie), Paul Nicholas (Cousin Kevin), Jack Nicholson (the Specialist), Robert Powell (Captain Walker), John Entwistle and Pete Townshend (as themselves), Tina Turner (the Acid Queen), Barry Winch (young Tommy)

Director: Ken Russell

Screenplay: the Who and Ken Russell (based on Pete Townshend’s rock opera) with additional material from John Entwistle and Keith Moon

Release: 1975

Studio: Robert Stigwood Organisation Ltd., Hemdale

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.2/10 

 

The Boy Wonder, His Mother, the Abusers Around Him and His One True Hope 

 

QuickView

Story-line: when Nora Walker, the wife of an English World War II pilot, learns that her husband has died in combat, she is all alone to give birth. The war ends, Nora raises little Tommy by herself and, just as she finds happiness with a new man, Tommy witnesses an event so traumatizing that he becomes deaf, dumb and blind. Will fate always be brutal to Nora’s son?

Pluses: solid acting by Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed (as a rather scuzzy character) and Roger Daltrey (remarkable for his screen presence, physical acting and powerhouse vocals), fine support from a mix of well-known thespians and artists (Tina Turner, Keith Moon and Paul Nicholas are standouts), hectic and flamboyant direction, a logical, imaginative and sometimes outrageous screenplay built on dialogues almost entirely sung, extravagant production values (costumes, sets, choreography), striking visuals, an ambitious musical score and an ending that comes full circle.

Minuses: be warned that the Who, in their heyday, had a peculiar obsession with baked beans.

Comments: on some level, Ken Russell’s film was a precursor to music videos of the 1980s and its source material – Pete Townshend’s catchy songs from 1969 – has aged quite well, even by today’s standards. Daring, driving and rip-roaring, TOMMY pays tribute to a milestone in rock music history and amps up the entertainment for maximum viewing pleasure. ‟See me! Feel me! Touch me! Heal me!” 

 

MBiS 

© 2022 – All rights reserved