Customer Reviews

Breaking Glass

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's 1982 and I'm a teenager stuck in a small town in Southeast Missouri. Then, one fateful night, I saw 'BREAKING GLASS' on a show called Night Flight. This movie, along with 'SMITHEREENS','THE FABULOUS STAINS', and 'LIQUID SKY' completely lead me into the world of art and music I am surrounded by today. I am begging for this movie to be released on DVD in the United States.I know it may only be a silly low budget movie to some, but, it truly reflects everything I treasure about my youth and I can not praise it enough.

Lovely punkette chanteuse Hazel O'Connor plays a blinder in the somewhat autobiographic role of Kate, desperate to succeed, whilst maintaining her ethics, in the cut-throat music business.

Hazel's brilliant songs are enough to recommend this movie in its own right but, unlike some musicals, Breaking Glass is far more than just a vehicle to promote the artiste's work. The sense of unease stoked by the rise of neo-Nazi and anarchic groups in late 70's/early 80's urban England and the shadier side of the music industry are expertly recreated here.

Furthermore, Hazel's depiction of the roller-coaster rise to stardom, resulting in mental breakdown, is impeccably observed. Why this hugely talented woman's career as an actress never really took off is a mystery to me! She is also very ably supported by Phil Daniels, playing the role of his life and Jonathan Pryce as the sympathetic but messed-up junkie sax player.

Anyone familiar with Hazel's music (and I'm pleased to admite that I've seen her live on several occasions) will be delighted by the performances here, from the gutsy "Blackman", "Give Me an Inch" and "Writing on the Wall" to the astonishingly sensual "Will You" - surely one of the most evocative songs about love-making ever written? Her final performance of "Eighth Day" sends shivers down your spine with its intensity and the final track - "If Only" provides an immensely powerful epilogue.

The UK release (PAL region 0 DVD) is well presented with adequate, if not spectacular extras (filmographies, trailer, stills etc.)

I cannot recommend this movie highly enough.

In the PUNK film genre, this film shines as brightly as the Clash's Punk-Doc "RUDE BOY."

Hazel O'connor stars and writes her own songs.\

Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia) co-stars as the inexperienced manager who loses grip just as she needs a guiding hand.

Jonathan Pryce (Evita/Brazil/Something Wicked This Way Comes) supports the cast as a heroine addicted, deaf, Sax player.

James Broadbent (Topsy Turvy/Moulin Rouge) even makes a one line appearance [literally a walk-on part!] as the station conductor announcing a transit strike to the travellers!

But "best" little bit of trivia? This movie was produced by Dodi Fayed, yes, the very same as late Princess Dianna's boyfriend.

The PLOT:

The metaphor of Breaking Glass is the fragile line between art, and fame. The punks were anti-"sell-out" and we see our Artiste evolve from street-hardened punk, to [quite literally] a corporate music machine, in one of filmdom's most amazing concert bits. (if you think this concert ending is too far fetched,to be a real punk show...GARY NUMAN and the Tubeway Army concert performances were almost copied verbatim!]

The Phil Daniels anti-hero was a man who a: knows a good thing and how to showcase his find, and b: has inexperience in love and it washes over into the buisiness relationship.

AS he builds the band, the members trivialise his role, and edge him out in favor of selling records...the end is then a steamroller out of control. Without her manager, our heroine slips into a fragile existence and becomes broken glass.

Thanks hope you like the film!

The things I want most that I can't have right now are for this and a movie called "the Quiet Earth" to be released on DVD, and for the soundtrack of an obscure punk rock movie called "Times Square" to come out on CD. This movie changed my life. I loved it, no matter what someone seeing it for the first time today would think of it, I loved it when I first saw it and I still love it. Hazel O'Connor was outstanding.

This movie is a cult classic - and... anyone from England will be very familiar with it already - but... in the US it is not as well known. This movie follows a young punk singer who makes it big in the music industry and then follows the problems she has.

The sound track is excellent and well worth purchasing. The movie is powerful and quite well done - the acting is excellent - including the leading role for newcomer Hazel O'Connor.

This film catapulted Hazel into stardom - which was mismanaged by her label at the time. (real life follows fiction).

A must buy for any late 70's punk afficianado. Would make a great accompianment to "Out of the Blue."

I love this movie Hazel is so cool! It made me go out and buy all her records. She gives a great performance and great to see her acting opposite Phil Daniels. Will You just release a NTSC DVD so I can watch it here now that I live in Florida. I'm sure others in this country would buy it too.

Check out Amazon uk for the DVD, not cut at end like North American version. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005NCZF/qid=1134532014/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/026-3573749-9629246

I have been thinking of this movie for 25 years. Just rediscovered today.

One of the best movies I have seen about 80's England. Please, please, please release this movie on U.S. DVD.

If this movie doesn't make it to DVD, then there truly is no hope for the world. Hazel O'Connor does a breathtaking job of doing the story of a singer rising on her way to the top and all of the pitfalls, trepidations, and lunacy that accompanies such a climb. Her singing is wonderous and reflects the new wave stylings of the 80's perfectly.

If you're a fan of Hazel O'Connor's music, or even if you've never heard of her in your life, you owe it to yourself to watch this one.

It sounds like you and I had the same teen years! The soundtrack to "Times Square" blew my head open in about '83 & then I saw this movie on Night Flight in '84 & immediately bought the album. Yes, this must come out on DVD. OK, the storyline is predictable, but Hazel's impassioned performances make this a standout in the "sad rock story" genre. And the music is just wonderful - and still relevant dammit!