Monday, October 28, 2013

Five Lou Reed moments in cinema

Lou Reed passed away yesterday October 27th, 2013. He was 71 years old.
His music was the soundtrack to many people's lives; it helped also form the emotional core of quite a few cinematic moments. My favourite are listed below and-coincidentally or not- all are a type of either drug-induced psychosis or a love scene. Or both. R.I.P.


5) Velvet Underground - "Venus in Furs" in Last Days (2005)


A scene from the Gus Van Sant film largely inspired by Kurt Cobain. 
Nothing particularly happens in this scene (and of course in the movie itself): we're at the musician's reclusive mansion; someone puts on the records player an album and the Marquis de Sand-inspired tale of s/m starts playing; people pass by; others are dancing. Then the song is abruptly cut. 





4) Lou Reed - "Satellite of Love" in Velvet Goldmine (1998)


Another film loosely based on actual rock artists, Velvet Goldmine tells the story of two musicians who were rock stars in the 70's, only to have disappeared from the public eye today. The portrayed musicians are most likely David Bowie and Iggy Pop, played here by Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Ewan McGregor. Director Todd Haynes is clearly a big music fan -his filmography includes the Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There and the controversial, banned short film Superstar: The Caren Carpenter Story.

 

3) Lou Reed - "This Magic Moment" in Lost Highway (1997)

David Lynch's Lost Highway ranks amongst the greatest cinematic experiences I've ever had. Its soundtrack is simply perfection, a master in variety and creativity. With the use of only Lou Reed's song and slo-mo and with no dialogue whatsoever, Patricia Arquette instantly becomes the mysterious, dreamy, sinister, sexy, elusive creature of desire for the main hero. Not coincidentally, these adjectives can perfectly describe the whole movie. 



2) Velvet Underground - "Pale Blue Eyes" in Adventureland (2009)

One of the great indie romantic comedies waiting to be discovered, Adventureland boasts performances from Jesse Eisenberg (pre-Social Network) and Kristen Stewart (post-Twilight). It takes place in the late 80's. He is the new kid in town, geeky but smart and kind. She is aloof and mysterious and cool. They're workmates in the local amusement park and have become sort of friends. He is hopeleselly in love with her. Then they go together for a night ride. Romantic moment alert: the Velvets' ballad starts playing - one of the most tender, sweet love songs ever written. That was Reed's genius: the man wrote both "Venus in Furs" and "Pale Blue Eyes". 



1) Lou Reed - "Perfect Day" in Trainspotting (1995)

This is of course a regular in 'best use of rock music in cinema" lists and rightfully so. Director Danny Boyle throughout the scene expertly shows the consequences of addiction, cleverly -and thankfully- avoiding any sort of moral preaching.  
The stately piano figure introduces the soft-as-ever voice of Reed. The verses consist only of the piano motif but the chorus explodes as the strings usher in. It's such a perfect day while Renton (Ewan McGregor in one of the most impressive breakout performances of all time) overdoses and lays helpless on the ground in the middle of the road. Rarely such a powerful but subtle, ironic but bitter contrast between lyrical and filmic content have been achieved.