Worried About the Boy cast- click here to watch show
Well, I enjoyed the arse-fucking in the red phone box - last seen on the set of Dixon of Dock Green (the red phone box, that is). Not that we saw a cock, or an arse, or anything really. But the glass was all steamed up, and one of the males was Boy George dressed as a nun in high heels who had his back to his saviour (it's a long story ...), some hideous 'tached cock-cunter dallying with same-sex action because it was circa 1980 and David Bowie had made bisexual posing cool. Try to keep up.
BBC2's Worried About the Boy - a "compassionate" dramatisation of Boy George's early life before TOTP and stardom - caught me unawares so it had the advantage: it was just a relief not to be subjected to yet another Freemans catalogue romance or Agatha Christie murder mystery. Boy George was far too quiet and thin - the original is a massive, messy, soulful noise; Marilyn certainly not pretty enough; Steve Strange (him again!) too old and raddled; and Mat Horne as Jon Moss tried his best but was way too weathered with the dyed black hair - c'mon, Moss was a beauty back then. Still, Mat can act. So I forgive him Lesbian Vampire Killers.
Maquillage - perfection all round, as was Bowie, though all we saw was his regal hand slumming it at the Blitz. Strange made mention of the Thin White Duke's crooked teeth, as authenticating trademark.
And I loved it when a brick smashed through one of Malcolm McLaren's windows, eliciting the quip to bewildered George that his new house was being delivered bit by bit. Wonderful panto.
Personally, I'd have added graphic sex, more of the music; lengthened the film to about three hours to take in more of the Blitz club where George and Strange and Spandau et al nurtured their pop dreams. Culture Club just evolved out of nothing in particular, according to this gospel: and I could have lived with two scenes fewer of George's tiresome father. Leave soap to the bloody soaps.
"Keep your chins up," bitchy Marilyn told George. But the slimline actor only had the one.
20 comments:
Marilyn was not only pretty in a frock but extremely handsome out of one and with a fabulously masculine body. Like Private Eye's taxi driver I had him in the back of my car once -with Eddie Kidd. But I'm not telling more.
Totally agree with almost every word - not enough of the music but some very good bits... a flawed masterpiece; there was a far more interesting tale to be told (still going on). And the "heaviness" is a crucial part of the George story (having said that, the boy playing him is gorgeous and has a great future ahead). Thoroughly enjoyed it whilst being terribly disappointed.
He was far more vituprative and angry in real life, Where was the constant sneer and the dodgy makeup, far too professional, far too nice. One thing George wasn't.
At least it wasn't frenetic, or frantic, like a lot of these pop dramas can be. I thought it was paced quite well but certainly played down George's sharp tongue. Love your review.
I thought Steve Strange a lot more interesting. A drama to be made there.
Eddie Kidd, Peki? I'd heard rumours ...
Did Horne provide a bravura performance? Well, it certainly wasn't bad. He has banned me from his Twitter account, but then so has Joanne Cash. I enjoyed the Boy George film. Bit too much of hissy queens vituperably bitching. Now excuse me as my new secretary Miss Therese Skoda needs me for dictation.
Of course there were hissy queens. You expect six-pack mutes? Oh I did like the Brandon guy, how could I have forgotten?
Writng late at night again. I wonder what you do in daylight hours.
Oh and Judge Carl sends his love. The things he says about you!
So is true Marilyn's mum ?. I once asked Marilyn what his mother thought when he walked out the door in a frock and make-up. He said she usually just cried.
I'm only interested in the "Judge Carl" reference. Someone's going to regret that.
I was dying to know the truth of the Spear of Destiny thing because there was so much denial of the relationship around that time.
I enjoyed the prog - the George actor was seriously beautiful, but too slight for George.
My best friend, back at the height of Culture Club was a Dead Ringer for George - equally beautiful. She was never very sure whether guys were coming on to her because she was beautiful or because she looked so much like Boy George.
Ali x
Yes, Kirk Brandon sued George for malicious falsehood over his claim of a sexual relationship with him. But George won the case.
I've known George since he was 15. He was sweet at first. Gave me my first detailed explanation of gay sex. But, typical Gemini, the quick and vicious tongue won out.
Coincidentally I've known Jon Moss before I even knew George. Tried to lose my virginity to him. Couldn't believe when those two got together!
Marilyn was utterly vile.
"Thoroughly enjoyed it whilst being terribly disappointed." Well done, JK - all sensible authors should be queuing up to use that quote on the back of their next book.
"I really thought you were badly portrayed. You were portrayed as this bitter nasty pudgy bitch! The internation tone of the voice was pretty good but The Steve I knew from yonks ago was Stunning, gracious, funny, flawless, acerbic but friendly. Funny how folks see His(Her)Story different. We can all reinvent ourselves in print in hindsight. _
Dear undergroundrestaurant, you should do an email interview with me - we could talk about George and Jon in greater detail ...
how amazing boy george!
Post a Comment