THE DOORS
US, 1991, 134 minutes, Colour.
Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kathleen Quinlan, Frank Whaley, Kevin Dillon, Kyle Mac Lachlan, Billy Idol, Michael Madsen, Michael Wincott.
Directed by Oliver Stone.
The Doors was co-written and directed by Oliver Stone.
Stone, noted for his hard-hitting and gutsy films, wants to interpret Jim Morrison and the Doors in their time, the ethos of the 60's, Morrison's death and the mystique that followed his death.
Stone wrote strong screenplays for such films as Midnight Express, The Year of the Dragon. He directed Salvador, won an Oscar for Platoon, directed Wall Street, Talk Radio and won another Oscar for Born on the Fourth of July. He was also nominated for his interpretation of the Kennedy assassination and the conspiracy theories, JFK.
The film recreates the period of the 60's (as well as memories of Morrison's childhood in New Mexico in the 40's). The film focuses on Los Angeles, the Clubs, the atmosphere of freedom, sexual experimentation, drug-taking. Morrison, with the mystical sense of himself, especially in association with native Indian mysticism, succumbs to the world of freedom, moves to New York and moves in the hedonistic Andy Warhol world, breaks with his band though reconciles with them, moves to Paris where he dies at the age of 27, dead in his bath from an apparent heart-attack.
Val Kilmer is energetic as Morrison. Meg Ryan is the woman in his life and Kathleen Quinlan has an unsympathetic part as the woman who seduces him and leads him into the area of black magic. A strong caste represent the members of the Dawes band.
The film was long, incorporates the music and lyrics of Morrison, presents him in his context - his fans well appreciate this, others will be bewildered as to where Stone stands on this whirlwind life. (The Eddie and the Cruiser films were based on something of the mystique of Morrison.)
1. The reputation of Jim Morrison and The Doors? The music, the period? His life and his death and its aftermath?
2. The work of Oliver Stone, writing, direction? Vivid style? The biopic, the portrait, the interpretation? The social impact of Jim Morrison? Music? Bands?
3. The visuals, the editing, the pace? The recreation of a psychedelic period?
4. The film is a piece of Americana, the ethos of the 60's moving into the 70's? A re-interpretation and judgment on the period? Paris in the early 70's?
5. Morrison's music, its style, the tradition, the lyrics, the members of the band.
6. The biographies of Morrison, the perspectives? Technical advice from John Densmore and members of the Doors?
7. The framework of the film, Morrison and his recordings,
the quote from America, Prayer?
8. The reputation of Morrison, his names: The Capital Lizard King, the Demon Prince, the Poet, Rock Artist, presented as a kind of contemporary Dionysus?
9. The significance of the flashbacks, Morrison's childhood, New Mexico, family - and his later denial of them, the Indian mystical sequences and his belief in this?
10. Morrison as a young man, studying, musician? Meeting with Pamela, the attraction, moving in with her? The friendship with Ray, poetry? Meeting with John Densmore, Rob Krieger, their playing together, forming the group?
The Doors and their performances? A career and possibilities?
11. Gradual changes with Morrison? The Los Angeles Clubs, the performance of the music, the response of the audiences, the effect on him, growing more frenetic, sexual behaviour, controversy?
12. The further changes with Paul Rothschild as agent? The visit to San Francisco, the hippie atmosphere, Morrison at home here, his behaviour? The reaction on the Ed Sullivan show? Moving to New York, the heady pace, Andy Warhol and his influence, Andy Warhol’s friends, New York society? Morrison caught up in this world, succumbing to it? Pamela with him? The reaction of the group? The Press reaction and criticism?
13. The meeting with Patricia Kennealy, attraction, age difference, the sexual encounters, her fascination with Black Magic, religion? Her behaviour, drawing Morrison into this?
14. The concerts, performances, controversies? New Haven, backstage, the encounter with Patricia? The lies about his parents? The atmosphere of the concert, performance, sexual behaviour, the police?
15. The Thanksgiving Celebration, his relationship with Pamela, with Patricia? His urging Patricia to kill him? His personal deterioration, his mind? Drink, drugs?
16. Business deals, the collapse of the group, the antagonisms?
17. Miami, the Concert, indecent behaviour, the police, Patricia and her claims of pregnancy, his motivation for a suicide's spree on the roof? His personal collapse?
18. The break-up of the group? The film's portrait of Pamela, love for Morrison, her being hurt? The members of the group, their own lives, support of Morrison, clashes? The reconciliation?
19. Themes of death, a death-wish? Linked with the Indian mysticism? Death stalking him? His going to Paris, lifestyle? His death?
20. Morrison's gifts, talent, contribution? The music as performed through the film? The conflicts in his life? Born in the 40's, raised in the 50's, a product of the 60's, dead in the 70's? The mystique of his music and personality and its influence?
