In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:13:27Read transcript
- Early Apex Mountain could be purple joke expresses Prince extraordinary career power here; linked to later formal category.
‹ All movies
Purple Rain
111 minutes
Cast
Selected cast credits · Film reference
Prince
The Kid
Apollonia Kotero
Apollonia
Morris Day
Morris
Olga Karlatos
Mother
Clarence Williams III
Father / Francis L
Jerome Benton
Jerome
Billy Sparks
Billy
Jill Jones
Jill
Dez Dickerson
Dez
Wendy Melvoin
Wendy
Lisa Coleman
Lisa
Purple Rain | The Rewatchables
Explore episodeClose episode
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:30Read transcript
- Ebert three and a half stars; Siskel and Ebert both reportedly included it in1984 top ten, no ranks supplied. Praise for combining condensed emotional drama with music and romantic chemistry.
- Prince reportedly dreamed the critics hated it, opposite of their actual response.
Most Rewatchable Scene
Final three-song performance; “The Beautiful Ones” and the Apollonia–Morris date
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:29Read transcript
- Opening eleven or twelve minutes, Let’s Go Crazy into Jungle Love, electrifying. Stage and stylized audience choreography make club a character; balcony synchronized dancers a favorite.
- Take Me with You motorcycle and false Lake Minnetonka initiation memorable. Bad dialogue part of charm; purification request not explicit undressing instruction, cold-water danger reported.
- Beautiful Ones romantic-rivalry scene called Prince greatest performance in the film and one of the great performances ever. Slow push into Apollonia reaction and intense commitment praised.
- Wendy and Prince synchronized stage connection praised; Wendy iconic and an unusually good actor in this cast.
- When Doves Cry montage leads through father material into Computer Blue; song reportedly supplied overnight. Clarence Williams performance improves, with darker characterization discussed.
- Darling Nicky provokes Apollonia and Billy; Computer Blue transition follows album sequence and balances music with action.
- Discovering fathers written music and working out Purple Rain loved; Morris family insult especially cruel.
- Purple Rain dedication and song meet enormous buildup. Ending there possible, but encores and audience connection defended.
- Final three-song ending selected, despite argument it could end at Purple Rain. Band relationship matters more than romantic resolution.
- Other final choice is Apollonia/Morris date into Beautiful Ones, a personal favorite section of any eighties movie.
Tom Sizemore Action Is the Juice Award for Best Toe-to-Toe Moment
The Time following “Let’s Go Crazy” with “Jungle Love”
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:25Read transcript
- The Time awarded best toe-to-toe for a non-star with major star, following Let’s Go Crazy with Jungle Love, called97percent as good and fun; audience could prefer Morris.
Picking Nits
Has Billy heard this music before?
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:13Read transcript
- Whether Billy has heard this music before is raised as a nitpicking question for later.
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Francis L’s earlier music career
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:28Read transcript
- Francis L career imagined as late-sixties or early-seventies jazz pianist; written music and Computer Blue riff suggest musical background, not established biography.
The most "year the movie came out" thing
Cassette boomboxes; haircuts; brass waterbed; domestic-violence plot; Apollonia–David Lee Roth relationship; concert editing and montage
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:59Read transcript
- Most1984 excluding Prince candidates: cassette boomboxes, haircuts, brass waterbed, domestic violence plot and reported Apollonia/David Lee Roth relationship.
- Editing form chosen: empty whip-pans connecting energy and single-frame collage distinctly eighties.
What’s Aged the Best?
Wendy and Lisa; performances; Modernaires; mirror gimmick; cable rewatchability; Jill scene; puffy shirt; Sex Shooter; music rivalries; Chappelle’s Prince; Minnesota music; The Time
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:54Read transcript
- Wendy/Lisa acting, mockery, style and stage chemistry loved. Eponymous first album fantastic, a favorite B+ album; personal favorite part of Prince experience.
- Convincing performances despite singing over recordings; Modernaire song liked and absence from album regretted, invented-word meaning debated.
- Morris/Jerome mirror among best gimmicks without firm number-one rank; timeless comedy and gender presentation discussed.
- Easy cable drop-in viewing; hilariously weak subpoena dialogue, stage gestures, puffy shirt linked to Seinfeld, Sex Shooter, Chappelle impersonation and Minnesota scene.
- Minnesota music diversity and showing each Sex Shooter singer delivering her line admired; Apollonia dubbing and lack of singing experience reported.
- Title reportedly chosen when director heard Purple Rain anthem at First Avenue concert.
- Time underrated and charismatic, later revival recognized. The quoted review describes stagecraft; contrast with Prince partly disputed.
The most GIFable moment
Prince’s smiles; Apollonia’s apartment-disappointment look
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:38Read transcript
- New Fortune variant of most giffable: creepy Prince smiles choice; Apollonia apartment-disappointment look alternative, called her best look.
The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot
Slow push into Apollonia during “The Beautiful Ones”
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:52Read transcript
- Slow push into Apollonia during Beautiful Ones chosen with agreement.
The Den of Thieves Benihana Award for Scene-Stealing Location
First Avenue nightclub
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:52Read transcript
- First Avenue nightclub chosen.
The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop
Whole movie; “When Doves Cry”; “Take Me with You”
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:52Read transcript
- Whole movie first answer; When Doves Cry montage qualifies as needle drop, Take Me with You nonstage transition suggested and tentatively accepted.
The Big Kahuna Burger Award for Best Use of Food and Drink
Champagne order and change
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:29Read transcript
- Champagne order and request for change chosen.
What’s Aged the Worst?
Weak acting; treatment of women; puppet; Modernaires’ ceiling; Morris–Jerome reaction shot; dialogue chemistry; Prince’s film career
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:29Read transcript
- Bad acting enjoyed but weak; mistreatment of women central legacy, including dumpster, domestic violence and period joke. Psychological character logic defended without approving conduct.
- Puppet ventriloquism odd and apparently dubbed versus dark and loved.
- Des/Modernaires peak and album omission regretted. Morris/Jerome dancing at end undermines rivalry after cruel insult, compared with wrestling.
- Prince/Apollonia reaction chemistry good but acting weaker. Later movie career criticized, Graffiti Bridge defended by other participant; Prince spiritual-intent quote and Wizard of Oz comparison reported.
- Time and Busboys career potential regretted; Morris difficult behavior on set remains speculation.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:40Read transcript
- No better sex scene needed; cut barn-scene rumor recalled. Convincing kissing considered among the best.
Jamie Lee Curtis Unnecessary Nudity Award
Lake Minnetonka scene
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:30Read transcript
- Lake Minnetonka scene chosen for Jamie Lee Curtis Unnecessary Nudity award with agreement.
The Vincent Chase Award: Are We Sure This Character Is Actually Good at Their Job?
Billy; rock journalism
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:30Read transcript
- Billy fails to recognize extraordinary band; rock journalism also indicted for lack of record deal or profile despite talent, with hypothetical1999 songs already proving it.
Picking Nits
No record deal or major profile for an extraordinary band
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:58Read transcript
- Rock journalism is indicted for a band this good having no record deal or major profile; Billy also fails to publicize them. This is explicitly raised as a nitpick and receives agreement.
The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award
Woman thrown into the dumpster
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:29Read transcript
- Woman thrown into dumpster chosen and called worst actor; movie-as-its-own-critic joke.
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie
“You have to purify yourself in Lake Minnetonka”
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:03Read transcript
- Purify yourself in Lake Minnetonka chosen.
The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award
Prince over Michael Jackson as performer and at peak; Purple Rain over Thriller
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:19Read transcript
- Prince preferred to Michael Jackson as performer and at peak; Purple Rain album over Thriller, movie above Michael creative work, Prince concert preferred.
- Other participant never saw Michael live, recognizes great reports and faster concert grooves. Michael singing preferred, top-ten vocalist versus Prince top-fifty, with no comfortable overall answer.
- Prince album catalogue wins. Dangerous personal favorite Michael album but Thriller best; Prince decade of masterpieces and Batman soundtrack defended.
Casting What-Ifs
John Travolta; Vanity; Gina Gershon; Jennifer Beals
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:50Read transcript
- Studio idea Travolta for Prince rejected. Vanity departure explanations uncertain; Gershon declined sex scene, Beals declined for Yale, Apollonia look favored.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:06Read transcript
- Billy Sparks club owner selected for likable performance and timeless tracksuit.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:39Read transcript
- Billy, Jerome, Jill and announcer candidates; Morris and Wendy/Lisa screen time eligibility doubted. Billy wins with agreement.
Recasting Couch
Unchanged cast versus stronger Apollonia actress
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:10Read transcript
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:14Read transcript
- Tony Romo chosen over Collinsworth for Darling Nicky commentary; impression performed.
Half-Assed Internet Research
Deleted scenes; Susanna relationship; minimal Kid–Morris dialogue; Darling Nikki and warning labels
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:49Read transcript
- Darker deleted scenes reportedly included barn sex, band fistfight and parental dialogue; Prince relationship with Wendys twin sister reported.
- Kid reportedly says no words to Morris, Morris18 words to Kid. Darling Nicky and Tipper Gore daughters reaction linked to warning labels.
- Song kick-drum sexual implication and athletic stage movement admired; later medication/body-toll connection is participant inference, not verified health explanation.
Apex Mountain
Prince; Apollonia; The Time; magazine masturbation; motorcycle riding in lifts; Lake Minnetonka; Minnesota sound disputed
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:19Read transcript
- Prince all-time apex example; Apollonia and Time yes. Minnesota sound choice disputed through Jimmy/Terry/Janet comparison.
- City/state conceivable with1987 Twins alternative; magazine behavior and First Avenue offered.
- Clarence Williams III no; motorcycle lifts, Lake Minnetonka and customized Honda motorcycle yes. Model change during film observed.
Cruise or Hanks?
Cruise — forced choice
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:04Read transcript
- Forced choice Cruise; Hanks would be weird, recasting Prince otherwise absurd.
Best Race Horse Name from This Movie
Lake Minnetonka; Modernaires
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:34Read transcript
- Combined horse, band, wrestler or fantasy name: Lake Minnetonka or Modernaires. Modernaires favored for fantasy name and wrestling tag team.
Picking Nits
Living with parents; Apollonia’s move and guitar money; cold-water ride; father’s chalk outline; unrehearsed Purple Rain
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:59Read transcript
- Kid living with parents despite talent questioned, Carrie-like drama rationale; Unexplained move from New Orleans to Minnesota interpreted as escape.
- Cold-water motorcycle ride prompts health hyperbole; poor hotel versus expensive guitar purchase inconsistent.
- Father original death reportedly changed after Star80 failure, leaving inconsistent chalk outline. Hanging-harness shot reportedly frightened Prince.
- Playing Purple Rain without rehearsal or arrangement implausible; unseen rehearsal or musical/music-video magic possible explanations.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:37Read transcript
- Untouchable, with agreement.
Is This Movie Better With…?
Sam Jackson as Billy
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:37Read transcript
- Samuel Jackson as Billy agreed, impression performed; Jerome another possible role.
Just One Oscar
Soundtrack
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Jerome’s job; Kid–Jill relationship; doves’ cries; club slots; hotel-lobby behavior; earliest diss track
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:30Read transcript
- Jerome understood as valet and follower, tied to Morris insecure self-presentation.
- Kid/Jill past relationship strongly inferred; tears may be real, not established.
- Doves sound joke; which band Billy removes debated, one would retain Modernaires over Apollonia. Hotel-magazine behavior conditional joke.
- Darling Nicky first diss track queried. Earlier song examples include Sweet Home Alabama, How Do You Sleep and Yankee Doodle Dandy. Historical assertions and jokes are source-reported, not verified history.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:50:43Read transcript
- Graffiti Bridge for fun versus8 Mile for thematic accuracy. Theater order corrected to8 Mile then Purple Rain because its ending cannot be followed.
The Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo Award for What Happens the Next Day?
Kid’s stardom disputed; Apollonia back in New Orleans
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:51:30Read transcript
- Kid becoming huge star disputed because already should be; Apollonia returning to New Orleans in nine months imagined. Next album Around the World in a Day called self-sabotage versus loved.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:52:14Read transcript
- Bike, guitar and Purple Rain jacket proposed; jacket choice, other wants Prince hair.
The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson
Never get married; keep following your dreams
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:53:07Read transcript
- Never get married movie line versus keep following dreams.
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:53:32Read transcript
- Prince selected in unequivocal landslide language; no number of voters inferred.
Podcast choices
- Speaker not identified
- Prince
Producer review
Important and compelling performances; difficult first watch outside the music
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:53:32Read transcript
- Directly invited first-time viewer at thirty in2024 understands importance but struggles outside performances. Opening shows Prince appeal; Darling Nicky previously unknown.
- Songs compelling on screen but not personally sticky for streaming; long music-video form and many face close-ups leave drama less engaging. Partner negative response reported.
- More interesting to discuss than watch outside performances conceded; defense that film and album showcase complementary genius. Michael music considered better aged.
- Risky persona construction both bold and career burden. Current young artists unlikely to repeat; Taylor Swift hypothetical opposed then her music offered as equivalent expression.
More from the conversation
Forty-year1984 anniversary and successive Eddie Murphy, Michael Jackson, Prince breakthroughs contextualize Black mainstream entertainment; Cosby Show dates loosely recalled.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:03Read transcript
Jam/Lewis, Janet, Whitney and MTV context; Prince gender/race presentation and music-movie expectation discussed.
Approx. transcript time · 00:05:40Read transcript
Possibly best music-star film vehicle, with musicals, biopics, Beatles films and Monkees TV distinguished.8 Mile closest comparison, different artist mythology.
Approx. transcript time · 00:08:51Read transcript
Complex abusive fictional Kid contrasted with sanitized artist films. Questlove hip-hop-origin claim partly accepted but earlier rap rivalry acknowledged. Prince best stage performer of generation, including Michael, qualified as first or near top.
Approx. transcript time · 00:13:57Read transcript
Personal Prince shows and long waits recalled; long-planned episode and Do You Like Prince Movies podcast.
Approx. transcript time · 00:17:15Read transcript
Graffiti Bridge good and weird; Under the Cherry Moon bad overreach; Sign of the Times admired and belongs in best concert-film conversation.
Approx. transcript time · 00:20:22Read transcript
Reported album15-million US/25-million worldwide,24 weeks number one, hit singles and awards. Rolling Stone rank eight and Apple rank five are external album lists, not film rankings.
Approx. transcript time · 00:21:12Read transcript
Fame as albatross and isolation, collaboration versus self-sufficiency. Wendy/Lisa song and kiss read as reconciliation; Kid mythology distinct from literal biography.
Approx. transcript time · 00:23:25Read transcript
Manager ultimatum, Fame writer and Magnoli rewrite reported.7.2-million budget/70-million gross, eleventh1984 film; top-forty nonwhite-lead quiz supplies three films.
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:43Read transcript
Cabaret opening parallel and stylized audience choreography; First Avenue shutdown25 days/100000 dollars reported, balcony dancers admired.
Approx. transcript time · 00:31:22Read transcript
Lake instruction remembered as undressing but actual command purification; dangerous cold reported. Fast Times Phoebe Cates personal number-one comparison.
Approx. transcript time · 00:39:36Read transcript
Beautiful Ones considered extraordinary performance;1985 AMA/Rock Hall examples, recorded tracks and live-vocal illusion discussed.
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:36Read transcript
Wendy stage chemistry and acting admired; father characterization and light/dark-skin contrast compared to Cabin in the Sky/Stormy Weather. Mod Squad/Link first favorite TV show and character.
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:38Read transcript
Computer Blue/Darling Nicky album sequence and stage provocation connect musical action and plot.
Approx. transcript time · 00:48:10Read transcript
Written music and father craft evoke Black musical traditions, intuitive playing versus notation; imagined jazz career remains interpretation.
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:06Read transcript
Ending at Purple Rain versus three-song climax disputed. Album order differs; film asserts star power and band reconciliation, Thriller comparison.
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:15Read transcript
Basement evokes horror; King Kong phrase character metaphor, no specific installment identified.
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:14Read transcript
Wendy/Lisa musical chemistry, reported long relationship and firing; family versus dictatorship band dynamic. Eponymous album loved as B-plus favorite.
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:54Read transcript
Mirror gimmick, courtly attendant analogy and gender expression interpreted as revelation/concealment.
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:16Read transcript
Minnesota music diversity, Sex Shooter editing, Apollonia dubbing and quick title decision anecdote.
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:55Read transcript
Time underrated; Kael stagecraft review quoted with partial disagreement, nostalgia revival and later appearances acknowledged.
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:08Read transcript
Time/Busboys unrealized potential lamented,48 Hrs performances loved; Morris set behavior unverified speculation.
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:13Read transcript
Prince/Michael comparisons separate stagecraft, singing, personal favorites and best albums. Michael vocal tier higher; Prince catalogue preferred. Batman soundtrack source-year1999 preserved as unverified error-prone recollection.
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:19Read transcript
Travolta replacement idea refused; Vanity departure explanations uncertain, Gershon/Beals alternatives reported.
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:50Read transcript
Stronger actress could change Apollonia perspective; unnamed Prince/Madonna collaboration on Like a Prayer called a favorite Madonna song, no title invented.
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:25Read transcript
Deleted scenes, musical warning-label history and stage physicality discussed; health implications remain host inference.
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:05Read transcript
Diss-track chronology and authorship assertions source-reported, including questionable How Do You Sleep and Yankee Doodle Dandy claims; Stephen Foster remark not verified history.
Approx. transcript time · 01:49:53Read transcript
Character future disputed, next album Around the World in a Day self-sabotage versus affectionate defense and song examples.
Approx. transcript time · 01:51:30Read transcript
Generational disagreement: first-time viewer values performances but dislikes drama and would not stream songs; movie/album complementary-genius defense.
Approx. transcript time · 01:53:55Read transcript
Persona myth construction and artistic risk considered unusual among current young artists; Taylor Swift hypothetical opposed then her music offered as existing analogue.
Approx. transcript time · 01:58:15Read transcript