Breaking Glass

I first came to breaking glass some years ago after having heard a track from the film. When I first watched it I thought it was shocking but after coming back to it years later I can see so much more in it. It's a truly excellent film depicting life in Thatcher's Britain as well as a wry view of the music industry. Hazel O'Conner is underrated in my view but she does excel here. Excellent film and even better soundtrack.

Here it is, 2012, and I just watched Breaking Glass, though I actually recognize a couple of the songs (possible I was listening to the movie at another time in my life).

This movie, cheesy and spunky and rough around the edges, but what a fun time I had watching it. The music transported me back to when I was fresh out of high school, in the Navy, going to clubs in NY, Chicago, Orlando and Seattle with my buds and listening to this style of music everywhere. How I love the punk and post-punk era. Some of the best music was came from the UK during this time.

The movie was the perfect anecdote for artistic exploitation amidst unrest, racism and rampant abuse by authorities. I loved the emotion and terror of the scene with the rioting skinheads and Kate singing Blackman.

Still the best scenes were reserved for the performances (dubbed, but who cares). I was overwhelmed by the performance of Eigth Day. Superb in every way.

I just can't believe it took me this long to see it!

Firstly I need to admit I was and still am a big fan of Hazel O'Connor. That may apply the rose tint to my views or not but better you know this than not.

Set in the late 70's UK the film portrays the rise to fame of a post-punk singer and her subsequent fall. "Gritty" is a good description of the film as it doesn't pull it's punches in portraying both life and business. Hazel's music isn't going to be to everyone's taste and that may or may not put you off from the film as the music is central to the film tying in to the rebellious social order of the day. Though I'm a fan I'm not blind to the fact Hazel's voice is nothing outstanding but that just adds to the gritty nature I mentioned and the simply fantastic love song "Will You?" which describes the awkwardness inherent in lovers first dates is all the better for that voice. It wouldn't be the song it is if sung with a perfect voice. Another admission - that song is one of my all time favourites and contains the best sax solo ever.

Both the directing and acting are first rate, really pulling you in to the story. That story is nothing new and has been done many a time but I can't think of any that did it better.

I first saw the film when it landed on US cable a year after it came out. It blew my little head away, I was only 16 and it was the first new wave music I'd heard, having been a strictly folky, classical kid growing up. The music mesmerized me, as did Hazel O'Connor's amazing look and charismatic vocal performances, and Phil Daniels' tough but soft Cockney manager just stole my heart. But I think my favorite character was Jonathan Pryce's drugged out sax player. He was so out of place in the band and so harmless and pathetic, he just begged for sympathy. Favorite scenes, the performance when the lights went out, and the love scene on the train.

Okay, so the movie isn't the Rose! But it was really excellent for its limited budget and for its portrayal of the Britain of the early 80's, exploding with rebellious youth, looking for a way out of the dole queue. I went to Britain only a couple of years later and found the movie to have been very reflective of the atmosphere I found when I was there.

If you get a chance to, see it. It is a great movie, with some wonderful performances, and the music will blow you away.

It's almost impossible for me to be objective about this film. I first saw it in 1981 as a 12 year old drummer with stars in my eyes. I immediately begged my dad to get me the soundtrack on vinyl and was off memorizing the entire album. It is, by far, one of my favorite movies of all time. The story is decent, the acting is good, and the music is absolutely in tune with the period. The depiction of the music industry with it's main players often exploiting every new trend, sound and artist until it and they are completely exhausted is spot-on. What truly makes this film is the music. Each track is a perfect reflection of Kate's (Hazel O'Connor) journey and is pretty darn catchy to boot. (You'll be humming "Big Brother" for days.) I highly recommend this film, as have others in the forum, for anyone aspiring to be a musician for a living. It is a brilliant parable of having and maintaining control of your art and destiny.