Sometimes it's not enough to read about cinematic infamy, and you just have to see it for yourself. Take for example 'Ishtar,' 'North,' 2019's 'Cats' - or 2001's 'Glitter.' It's been well established that this came at a bad time in Mariah Carey's life, and she has rather distanced herself from it. The feature and the accompanying soundtrack album were also released at an unfortunate moment that all but ensured it would go unseen and unheard by just about anyone; did this ever really have a chance? Could it really be that bad? After all, the premise quite recalls any of a long, long list of other films about young protagonists trying to make it big in one region of show business or another; what happened here to earn such significant derision? Now that I've watched this for myself, I'm not sure I can rightly say. I think the picture struggles with various issues over the course of these 105 minutes, matters that distinctly hold it back. I'm also genuinely surprised, however, to find myself thinking that the reevaluation it's had in recent years is actually much closer to the full truth than the common description in the past 22 years as "one of the worst movies ever made." It is not, after all, "that bad."
The opening sequence is a little heavy-handed as it tugs on the heartstrings with exposition, but I can forgive this; mind you, I could forgive it more easily if that heavy-handedness weren't echoed later on. More concerning are early embellishments of unnecessary visual effects, and snappy editing, that quickly raise a skeptical eyebrow. The pacing of scenes and plot development is just ever so slightly too zesty (by, let's say, fifteen percent), coming across as peculiarly unnatural - rendering no few and possibly too many moments with a sense of inauthenticity, not least of all the first solidification of the romantic element at about the one-third mark. Sometimes it feels as though this is trying too hard to be extra "hip" and "street," especially when it comes to select instances of costume design and Vondie Curtis Hall's direction; this is especially strange since, in the more mindful examples that grow more prominent as the length draws on, it all looks fantastic (and likewise for the lovely hair and makeup). This feeds into another, larger problem: the feature actually has plenty of substance, including not just the core premise but also themes of creative control, shady deals, management machinations, the business side of the music industry, mixing business and pleasure, and more. That substance is treated unevenly, ranging from right on target, to so-so, to insufficient, and this goes double for whenever 'Glitter' tries to be flashy and stylish (and excessively so). This is so unfortunate, because I see the beating heart that the project possesses. I just don't always feel it, and sometimes it has a hard time shining through.
I know the acting was a source of considerable disdain upon release, but very honestly, I don't see anything wrong with the cast's contributions; above all, I'm rather inclined to think that Carey actually handles the lead role quite well, with commendable controlled range and poise. Her performance is hardly revelatory, but by no means do I think it's deserving of all the disparagement it's received, and I'd quite like to see more of what she's capable of as an actor. Some of the songs herein are better than others, or used more judiciously than others, but there are some classic songs on the soundtrack, and above all there's no disputing what an incredible voice Carey has. The production design and art direction are swell, and even if I don't agree with all the decisions made in terms of cinematography, direction, or especially editing, I think this is well made from a technical standpoint.
I think what it comes down to is that 'Glitter' has difficulty finding focus, or striking the appropriate tone, as it shifts from one story beat or mood to another. I don't see any singular flaw so critical as to severely dampen the viewing experience; rather, there's a regrettable accumulation of imperfections over time, almost from the start and nearly to the end. It's not Wholly Wrong, but it's also never Quite Right. Among other things, I'm inclined to think that if Kate Lanier had left out one or two elements from the screenplay then the end result would have been tightened, and the drama and weight of the story would have subsequently landed with more success. With all this having been said, no one is more astonished than I am that I earnestly enjoy this. I think it's a good movie. It's a movie with definite faults, and I readily recognize where improvements could have been made, but I also recognize the sincerity and care with which it was crafted. There are other pictures in this same niche genre that are more noteworthy and admirable, but whether you're a big fan of Mariah Carey or someone else involved, or just an avid cinephile, I actually believe this is worth watching.
Sometimes popular opinion is exactly on point. 'From Justin to Kelly' is abominable; 'Showgirls' is tawdry and flummoxing; Baz Luhrmann's 'Moulin Rouge!' is spectacular. Sometimes popular opinion is wrong-headed - and I think 'Glitter' is an example of the latter. It's nothing for which one needs to go out of their way, and as a matter of personal preference I won't begrudge anyone who engages honestly and ends up more emphatically critical. But if one has the opportunity to watch this, and to give it a real chance, then I'm glad to say that as far as I'm concerned it is much better than most anyone has given it credit for in the past two decades. Watch with both mindful expectations and an open mind, but do watch.
The opening sequence is a little heavy-handed as it tugs on the heartstrings with exposition, but I can forgive this; mind you, I could forgive it more easily if that heavy-handedness weren't echoed later on. More concerning are early embellishments of unnecessary visual effects, and snappy editing, that quickly raise a skeptical eyebrow. The pacing of scenes and plot development is just ever so slightly too zesty (by, let's say, fifteen percent), coming across as peculiarly unnatural - rendering no few and possibly too many moments with a sense of inauthenticity, not least of all the first solidification of the romantic element at about the one-third mark. Sometimes it feels as though this is trying too hard to be extra "hip" and "street," especially when it comes to select instances of costume design and Vondie Curtis Hall's direction; this is especially strange since, in the more mindful examples that grow more prominent as the length draws on, it all looks fantastic (and likewise for the lovely hair and makeup). This feeds into another, larger problem: the feature actually has plenty of substance, including not just the core premise but also themes of creative control, shady deals, management machinations, the business side of the music industry, mixing business and pleasure, and more. That substance is treated unevenly, ranging from right on target, to so-so, to insufficient, and this goes double for whenever 'Glitter' tries to be flashy and stylish (and excessively so). This is so unfortunate, because I see the beating heart that the project possesses. I just don't always feel it, and sometimes it has a hard time shining through.
I know the acting was a source of considerable disdain upon release, but very honestly, I don't see anything wrong with the cast's contributions; above all, I'm rather inclined to think that Carey actually handles the lead role quite well, with commendable controlled range and poise. Her performance is hardly revelatory, but by no means do I think it's deserving of all the disparagement it's received, and I'd quite like to see more of what she's capable of as an actor. Some of the songs herein are better than others, or used more judiciously than others, but there are some classic songs on the soundtrack, and above all there's no disputing what an incredible voice Carey has. The production design and art direction are swell, and even if I don't agree with all the decisions made in terms of cinematography, direction, or especially editing, I think this is well made from a technical standpoint.
I think what it comes down to is that 'Glitter' has difficulty finding focus, or striking the appropriate tone, as it shifts from one story beat or mood to another. I don't see any singular flaw so critical as to severely dampen the viewing experience; rather, there's a regrettable accumulation of imperfections over time, almost from the start and nearly to the end. It's not Wholly Wrong, but it's also never Quite Right. Among other things, I'm inclined to think that if Kate Lanier had left out one or two elements from the screenplay then the end result would have been tightened, and the drama and weight of the story would have subsequently landed with more success. With all this having been said, no one is more astonished than I am that I earnestly enjoy this. I think it's a good movie. It's a movie with definite faults, and I readily recognize where improvements could have been made, but I also recognize the sincerity and care with which it was crafted. There are other pictures in this same niche genre that are more noteworthy and admirable, but whether you're a big fan of Mariah Carey or someone else involved, or just an avid cinephile, I actually believe this is worth watching.
Sometimes popular opinion is exactly on point. 'From Justin to Kelly' is abominable; 'Showgirls' is tawdry and flummoxing; Baz Luhrmann's 'Moulin Rouge!' is spectacular. Sometimes popular opinion is wrong-headed - and I think 'Glitter' is an example of the latter. It's nothing for which one needs to go out of their way, and as a matter of personal preference I won't begrudge anyone who engages honestly and ends up more emphatically critical. But if one has the opportunity to watch this, and to give it a real chance, then I'm glad to say that as far as I'm concerned it is much better than most anyone has given it credit for in the past two decades. Watch with both mindful expectations and an open mind, but do watch.