MovieChat Forums > Tommy (1975) Discussion > Such a freaking stupid movie.

Such a freaking stupid movie.

posted 18 years ago by I_am_Lothar
146 replies | jump to latest

Im not going to rant about how stupid this movie was, as the title may suggest, but man, it was stupid. I saw it on flix a few weeks ago at a friends house, and man, it was so bad. We couldnt stop laughing at its immense stupidity and lack of anything that made actual sense. It was stupid but man was it funny. Unfortunately, we watched it a second time and the laughs went away. It went from stupid funny to just stupid. It was like "Dude wheres my car?" in the sense that it only works the first time around, and after that it just like "what?"

Yep.

[–] Xcalat3 16 years ago

I have to agree, this is one STUPID movie

When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...

[–] WehoSteve 16 years ago

Actually it's quite an intelligent film, even though it is strange and surreal. Ken Russell's use of symbolism coupled with an amazing commentary on organized religion and society's obession with fame and celebrity worship.

I think the ones that are calling it stupid are the stupid ones.

[–] gldupre 16 years ago

I feel pretty bad saying this, but I have to agree.
And no, it's not because I'm "stupid" or I "don't get it," but - no offense to anyone who likes lording it over others-the meaning of this film was painfully blatant. I just think it was poorly made, with passable acting, some really bad singing/casting, and so self-indulgent that it loses itself and its messages while trying to be SO VERY avant garde. It's a messy movie.

And before you start ripping on me, I'd like to throw in that I'm a die-hard fan of the Who. Quadrophenia is in my top five albums. I even like Townshend's Broadway take on Tommy (which I'm incidentally listening to now). I also have nothing against film rock opera adaptations - they're fine if done well (The Wall), but they still don't replace the original music. It's this particular director and this particular take on the Tommy story that really gets on my last nerve.

Well, ça c'est 'The Meaning of Life'.

[–] lroy77 15 years ago

Excuse me, but I actually LIKE this movie. There are a lot more movies that have been made that are like so much worse.

The thing is, 1) you have to be in the mood...say on a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. 2) You have to like The Who as a (classic) rock group and appreciate their musical talents to begin with or there's no hope for you.

True, there are some moments that I wish they could've just blitzed through quickly but others I wish they went on and on...

Would you prefer Phantom of the Paradise?

[–] riscott-1 16 years ago

I thought you weren't going to rant about how stupid the movie is. You definitely have no taste, and you need some serious help if you would compare this to "Dude, Where's My Car?"

[–] Age_of_Serenity 16 years ago

Your post should have ended with

Disclaimer: No actual brain cells were used in the viewing of this movie. Reviewer had no working knowledge of symbolism and art - please disregard any and all comments made.

[–] Jessaly 16 years ago

I can see how and why anyone would think this is a stupid movie.

But I can't see how or why it is stupid, because to me it is amazing.

I'll join you when hell freezes over.
Dumbledore's Army!

[–] Tjcat 16 years ago

I finally got to see Tommy and do not understand
why people "love" this fim.

Perhaps it is necessary to be stoned
on weed or take a hit or two of acid
before watching this movie to appreciate it.

The only part I enjoyed was "Pinball Wizard."

The television exploding the (baked beans?) all
over Ann Margaret was just too wierd.

[–] rabit818-1 15 years ago

"Dude Where's My Car" contains no metaphors. Look into it with your mind wide open. I first saw this film when I was 15 and totally get it. Context. Symbolism. And metaphor. Study those words Or better yet, should stick to movies that has a linear narration like " Scary Movie" or one of Robin Williams' movies. There are movies and there is cinema.

[–] jtf1986 15 years ago

Just because a movie or another work has symbolism and metaphors doesn't mean it is great or deep. What is important is how effectivly they are used. The symbolism in Tommy is sloppy.

[–] Ace_Blazer 15 years ago

I found this movie (the music included) extremely corny and stupid. Yes I got what it was talking about, and I respect that it was made in a different era (with a whole ton of cool cameos), but it was just too plain stupid for me to like.

I'm hooked on the Live at Leeds rendition of Tommy, but the tracks in this movie just make me squirm.

[–] mto123 15 years ago

I agree with Lothar. This movie is self-indulgent, pointlessly tasteless and offensive, and just plain obnoxious. I know, I know, I don't get it, it's all a big friggin' metaphor, bla bla bla. But you know what? I don't care. Just because something is a metaphor doesn't automatically make it good. For example, the following is a metaphor: "A big smelly giant peeing on your face." That metaphor represents... hmmm I dunno, how about "large corporations do things which are in their best interests without any regard for how it affects everyone else". See? Ta-da! A metaphor. But so what?! It's still a stupid, pointless sentence. Just like "Tommy" is a stupid, pointless movie. The music was great, but the movie SUCKED!!! Ken Russell is a total bag of used Massengill.

[–] catjoescreed 15 years ago

Surely it's time the Who backed a new film version of Tommy - one that didn't suck?

I pulled out my Tommy CDs a coupla days ago - I've been singing bits and pieces of it in my head since posting "Gotta feeling 2010 is gonna be a good year" on the Happy New Year threads of every forum I participate in. I listen to Tommy at least one marathon session every year and I have to say, even though the Who are not my number one all-time favorite band, Tommy is my number one all-time favorite album.

I will never forget the days (weeks, really) that I played hooky from school in order to listen to my sister's Tommy album. She never liked the records, but she wouldn't let me borrow them anyway--who knows why? The only way I could hear them was via stealth and sneakiness. I always paid close attention to how each disc was placed inside the sleeve, and put it away EXACTLY the same as it was when I pulled it out, in case she was trying to catch me listening to her records. I would try to listen to the whole story at least three times through each time I skipped school.

Anyway, the film version is awful, and this is such a moving and disturbing and emotional story - it deserves to be filmed properly.

The Haunted Man, by Dori Davis: Sometimes it's the living who torment the dead
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