Pink Floyd: The Wall

Pink Floyd: The Wall.
1982 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; distributed to DVD by Sony.
Starring: Bob Geldof, Christine Hargreaves, Eleanor David, Alex McAvoy, Bob Hoskins, Michael Ensign
Written by Roger Waters
Director: Alan Parker
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Pink Floyd's The Wall (the album, of course) was conceived as a concept by Roger Waters after the final date of the "In the Flesh" tour in Montreal in July of 1977. Waters spat in the face of a young fan, after singling him out as part of a particularly rowdy but small crowd near the stage. Horrified by his behavior onstage, and increasingly disillusioned by playing concerts in enormous football stadiums, Waters came up with the idea of constructing a wall across the stage, between the audience and the performers. The band always intended to produce a feature film about The Wall, in addition to the record. Alan Parker was tapped as director, and Roger Waters originally planned to play the lead role of Pink, before screen tests showed that he was better off not trying to act on top of his other duties producing the film. Also, the band intended to incorporate live concert material into the film, but this plan was shelved once Waters gave up any role appearing onscreen. Bob Geldof was cast as Pink, even after he expressed his contempt for Pink Floyd and their music.

Alienation, and the construction of a metaphorical wall, is the driving theme of the film. Pink, the central character and rock star, had it tough growing up. His father died in World War II, and he always longed for a father figure in his life. His mother is overprotective, and Pink is also humiliated in school one day when his teacher halts the class to read some lyrics that Pink is writing (the lyrics to "Money"). He does get married, but retreats into a life of material possessions and groupies when he learns that his wife is having an affair while he's on tour. But, when Pink snaps and destroys his hotel suite, he slowly goes off the deep end. Later on, after having shaved his entire body, Pink's manager (Hoskins) and the hotel manager (Ensign) discover him, and he's injected with drugs to help him perform. Pink, lost in a cloud of drugs, fantasizes he is a neo-Nazi dictator and his concert is a rally. His followers riot and attack minorities.

After a second rally, Pink screams "Stop!" and hides in a restroom, where he recites poetry and puts himself on trial, where the judge orders that his wall be torn down. Pink's fate is unclear, but it's implied that the cycle he was on will repeat itself for a different small child.

The Wall employs fantastic animation, surreal and sometimes frightening images, and of course, the music of Pink Floyd to produce one of the great rock and roll films. Highly recommended.