The Loveless (1981)

Good film in which a motorcycle gang has to make a stop in a small village on the way. Substantively, not much happens. The slow pace is pleasant here and, together with the fine soundtrack and the portrayal of the era, sets the atmosphere. Nice to see a young Willem Dafoe here in this non-representative directorial debut by Kathryn Bigelow. A narrow 3.5 stars.

Translated from Dutch · View original

A fine stylistic exercise, in which the late 50s comes to life with bikers and a road movie atmosphere. Not much happens, so it is mainly the sultry, heated atmosphere that is enjoyable. The music from that era hardly stops, and then there is the vintage feel, with the roadside diner, old Coca-Cola vending machines, dilapidated garages, and magic on wheels. The characters fit perfectly into this framework, and it certainly stirred some longing in me.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Hear me / I've got to confess / That I'm one / of the love- loveloveless

In my opinion, it is inevitable that Billy Idol based his song on the title, atmosphere, and story of this film. Just as it is inevitable that Willem Dafoe's character in Streets of Fire (1984) was modeled after this role.

Bigelow's first film, and Dafoe's second—his first was Heaven's Gate (1980), although that didn't receive any credits and you have to pay very close attention to see it. It is, however, a much better film than this one, which actually relies mainly on atmosphere; apart from some cleverly chosen dialogue and quotes, very little comes of it.

What is nice, though, is the soundtrack. You would think you were watching a Jacques Tati film. Um, listening.

Translated from Dutch · View original