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The Doors
1990
Oliver Stone might have considered his film a tribute to the enduring power of the Doors' music, but he seems to have also intended it as a cautionary tale on the perils of both celebrity and substance abuse. Starring Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison, the film focuses on the Lizard King from his days as a UCLA film student in the .. Read more
| Starring | Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kyle MacLachlan, Frank Whaley |
|---|---|
| Director | Oliver Stone |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Doors
Oliver Stone might have considered his film a tribute to the enduring power of the Doors' music, but he seems to have also intended it as a cautionary tale on the perils of both celebrity and substance abuse. Starring Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison, the film focuses on the Lizard King from his days as a UCLA film student in the early 1960s to his death in a Paris hotel in 1971. In the early days of the group's formation, Morrison is at his most benign; he's just a guy hanging out at the beach writing poetry. But as the Doors' fame begins to spread--with Morrison as the focus of attention--his drug consumption and erratic behavior increase exponentially. The rest of the band--Ray Manzarek (Kyle McLachalan), John Densmore (Kevin Dillon), and Robby Krieger (Frank Whaley)--begins to grow tired of his late arrivals, the increasing number of cancellations, and the drunken recording sessions requiring infinite retakes. But no one can help Morrison as he spirals downward into an inferno of drugs, alcohol, public obscenity, and depression. Kilmer gives an excellent performance, including a frighteningly accurate imitation of Morrison's singing. Stone's intimate familiarity with SoCal in the 1960s also provides the film with a high degree of surface verisimilitude.
| Starring | Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kyle MacLachlan, Frank Whaley, Michael Madsen, Billy Idol, Kathleen Quinlan, Kevin Dillon, Mimi Rogers, Michael Wincott |
|---|---|
| Director | Oliver Stone |
| Studio | MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 17 Feb 2003 Production year: 1990 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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Although the title would have you believe that this is a biopic of the entire band, we learn next to nothing about Ray Manzarek, John Densmore or Robby Krieger here, as the emphasis is so firmly on the Doors's charismatic, enigmatic frontman, Jim Morrison. Unfortunately, co-writer/director Oliver Stone is so preoccupied with exploring the native American influences on Morrison's music and re-creating the sights and sounds of the 1960s that we discover precious little about Morrison either. Val Kilmer does, however, pull off a remarkable impression of the troubled vocalist, although he's more convincing on stage than he is in his drunken, drug-fuelled reveries.
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"...The whole movie is white hot, lapped in honeyed golds, evilly blue and black or drenched in those swoony, fiery reds. THE DOORS blasts your ears and scorches your eyes..."
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Most helpful member's review
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
The adolescent idol
I've forgotten why I ever liked this movie. In fact I've forgotten why I ever liked Jim Morrison
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Most recent members' review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Kilmer shines as lizard king
Oliver Stone continues his obsession with chronicling the sixties from every available angle, here focusing on acid rock kings The Doors.
Essentially a focus on the career of The Doors and in particular the life of Jim Morrison.
Perhaps unwittingly, Stone portrays his hero as a messed up buffoon and glosses over his genuine ability as a poet and his status as rock's first genuine front man.
Undoubtedly the film's highlight is Val Kilmer's astounding performance as Jim Morrison. If you close your eyes when you hear Kilmer singing you can almost hear Morrison speaking to you from beyond the grave.
Morrison's life closely follows the chronology of the 1960's. In the mid-60's there is a sense of imminent change, but as the decade progresses it becomes apparent this sense of optimism will cave in on itself as does Morrison as he hurtles toward his inevitable demise.
The Doors eschewed the peace and love movement of the 60's and found success with Morrison's tremendously dark lyrics and death fixations.
Morrison's Jekyl and Hyde personality and his constant alcohol and LSD binges ultimately led to the band's implosion following the Miami concert in which he publicly exposed himself.
If you want to "break on through" the myths surrounding The Doors and gain an insight into the life of a troubled genius, Stone's film will help you become closer to the lizard king. -
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