GrimPrecise I'll tell you why so serious

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Suman Roberson It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Calum Hutton It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

wtmerrett Tommy, as an album from The Who, written by Pete Townsend is an great piece of work. Tommy, the movie directed by Ken Russell, is crap. The only relation between the two is the soundtrack, and even that has been ruined as the cast does the singing. Oh my God, had anyone told Oliver Reed that he couldn't sing, or Keith Moon (may they both rest in peace)? Russell has taken a series of shots and strung them together to fill time as the soundtrack runs. I know that the dressed in black, self important film students will be up in arms about these statements and artistic license and all that but, having worked in the business for 16 years I know crap when I work on it, or see it. I have had more then one argument with DOP's and directors about artistic license. It still must work. The shots have to work and make sense once cut with the soundtrack as this is after all, a business and all business has to make money. Yes, I'm sure this film made money but only due to it's low budget and the popularity of The Who's music at the time. Lets see it made today and see if it makes a dime, or if a studio would be silly enough to back it. Not a chance. I love movies, and I love seeing great works shot in film, it is still be only medium that gives back the that richness. But sometimes you have to realize that a badly made movie is just that, badly made. Sure the musical was a hit on stage as well but what else has Pete Townsend done lately other then rehash his old stuff. We all have to make a living. Go out and buy the album (CD) of Tommy by the Who, put it on the stereo and turn it up loud. Sit back and listen to it as it was meant to be heard. This will not disappoint you. The movie on the other hand.......

Sean Ang This film is directly based on an concept album by the British rock band The Who.Tommy tells the story of a boy named Tommy Walker,who after witnessing his stepfather kill his actual father, became blind,deaf and dumb due to shock. He then found a pinball machine when he was a teenager and started winning competitions and helped his family became rich. Later in the movie, his mother is frustrated that he kept looking at his reflection in the mirror and then push him so hard that he broke the window, which then miraculously cured him. He then started a cult based on his miracle, but then people realized it is a fake and then violently revolt on him, causing his parents to die and him being depressed again.The film has no dialogue, it uses the lyrics and the music from the album to tell the story, similar to Pink Floyd's The Wall. It also have famous movie and music stars like Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John, Jack Nicholson and of course The Who, in which the lead singer Roger Daltery and drummer Keith Moon played characters in the film.The reason why I liked the film is because the music, actors and actresses expressions in order to give the film more drama and overall quirkiness feel make this film a recommendation to Rock fans and The Who fans.

LeonLouisRicci Ear Piercing Audio, without Dialog, and Visually Overwhelming, this Overblown Rock-Opera Written by Pete Townshend (Oscar nominated), and Directed by Ken Russell, Stars Ann Margret (Oscar nominated), Roger Daltrey (Golden Globe nominated), with a Gaggle of Cameos.The Elton John (Pinball Wizard), Tina Turner (Acid Queen), and Eric Clapton (Preacher) Segments are Highlights but the Movie is on a High of its Own. There was Absolutely Nothing Subtle about The Who, Ken Russell, or the 1970's. Everything was Big, Bright, and Blowhard. The Hair, the Attire, the Politics, and the Culture were on a Mind Expanding Trip to the Heavens.This Movie is a Product of its Era. A Gut-Wrenching, Cringe Inducing Musical Satire on Religion, Pop Culture, Fame, and the Kitchen Sink. It is as Kitsch as it gets. A Sensory Overload of Sound, Color, and Excess for Excess Sake.Unless You are Fan of The Who/Ken Russell, this will be an Inconsistent Piece of Work at Best and a God-Awful Debauchery at Worst. An Objective Viewer most Likely will find something to Love and something to Hate.But, it can't be denied its Ambition, Creativity, and Place in the World of Cult Cinema, Rock on Film, and Artsy Pretensions. It's Long, Well Done, mostly Entertaining, and Exhausting, with a Color Palette and Style Worthy its Subject. A Breathtaking Ballyhoo.

rooprect "Tommy" is a surreal experience. While not quite as over-the-top as the psycho-erotic "Barbarella" (1968) and not as incomprehensible as the psycho-mindfreak "Head" (also 1968), this movie certainly delivers a wild ride.The plot is about a blind, deaf-mute boy who suffers abuse after abuse, eventually finding his salvation as a pinball prodigy. The spectacle instantly turns him into a cult figure, and from there things get really weird. According to writer/guitarist Pete Townshend, "Tommy is an attack on the hypocrisy of organized religion," and there is certainly no question about that. Religious themes and symbols constantly crop up throughout the film, including, but not limited to, the statue of the Madonna (an outrageously suggestive sculpture of Marilyn Monroe), various images of medieval Catholic torture devices, and of course the iconic "T" for "Tommy" symbol (take a guess). The satire is laid on pretty thick.As I just described it, you might think the movie is predictable, and to a certain degree it is. But the film's complexity and power come from the presentation which is just weird enough to keep you guessing while not so weird that you'll lose focus. With unique visuals and music, it takes a tongue-in-cheek comedic approach which gives the director license to get away with murder. An example would be the scene where Tommy is being molested by various family members to the tune "Fiddling Around Fiddling Around". Don't ask how such a disturbing concept can be presented in a silly way but it is.Another memorable moment is when Ann-Margaret's character has a sort of mental breakdown that begins with her drinking champagne in a luxurious, white room and ends with her squirming around in 500 gallons of baked beans. Yeah I told you this movie is weird.Director Ken Russell achieves a strange balance between "Willy Wonka", "The Life of Brian" and "Zardoz". While Roger Ebert criticized him for going too far, I actually feel like he was pretty conservative compared to other rock musicals of the time (like "The Wall", "Magical Mystery Tour" and the aforementioned king of wtf-musicals: "Head").Notable appearances by Elton John, Tina Turner and Jack Nicholson add more fun to the mix. And it should go without saying, if you're a fan of The Who, you can't miss this movie.