masonfisk
A doc that reunites the male dancers from Madonna's 'Blonde Ambition' tour where they reflect on their lives & aspirations 25 years on. A great premise let down by shoddy story construction, this account still delights just by the sheer will & perseverance of the dancers' willingness to continue trying to lead good lives in light of the bad choices that have befallen them.
northernlad
I knew about this documentary a few years ago but I never had a chance to watch it until last night! I absolutely loved it! Of course, I loved Truth or Dare when it came out back in the 90's. So how could I not love this? I guess to understand my love for this movie so much, you have to understand what Madonna was back in the early 90's. She was groundbreaking and innovating back then. It was unheard of for such a mainstream performer to practically worship the gay scene and put it in the public's face the way Madonna did...along with these dancers. As a young gay men at that time it meant so much to me to see this happening right in front of my eyes and I began my own journey, realizing, that it was okay to be gay. And I owe that to the guys in this movie. I wish could tell them what they did for me back then.One touching aspect of the film is Oliver, the only heterosexual dancer in the group who stated that he was extremely homophobic before the tour experience but he came away from that with the feeling that gay men can be his brothers too! Very nice. I'll be forever thankful to whoever thought this documentary up. It was great to see these guys again after all these years.These dancers were truthful as to what that experience meant to them but they also are clear that they have moved on with their lives.
peter billionaire
Lots of crying. Documentary-makers love it. Almost everybody in the movie gets to cry. Coming out of the closet and AIDS, AIDS, AIDS. No, it is not "powerful." It is stagey and manipulative. The individual stories are familiar. The only difference is Madonna. Like the gay Waiting for Godot. Everybody talks about Madonna, but she's not there. "We were like a family" is the motif. I doubt that the dancers were really that naive. They were Madonna's employees. Did they really think that they were going to be pals with her once the tour was over? There is a shot of a mother watching a video of her dead son. There is a discussion of Bell's palsy. There is an awkward reunion dinner apparently staged for this film. It's as if the dancers know what is expected. Lots of hugging and more crying. Declarations of undying love and friendship. A cringe-inducing replay of truth or dare. Everyone aware of the cameras. It seems self- conscious. What do you do with your life if it peaks when you're 22? To be cast out of MDNA paradise. There are vague images of the dancers in what may be their present careers. One of them is a waiter, but it is implied that they are still in dance. No specifics are given. The idea is to leave on an upbeat note.
richbw
Having just watched the UK premiere at Sheffield Doc fest last night I have to say that this film is an heartwarming, intense, emotional and hugely satisfying journey going all the way back to Madonna's 1990 Blond Ambition tour to the present day documenting the seven backing dancers who worked with Madonna on her extremely popular worldwide tour. Be in no doubt this film does show bits and pieces of the 1990 tour (with Madonna's permission on music rights too) this film is not about Madonna but about her loyal and extremely talented dancers and the aftermath of the tour bringing us up to the present time dealing with their deeply personal issues that each dancer has gone through. Its an emotionally heartwarming film and one not to be missed, if you get the chance to watch it then don't hesitate- just go see it with your eyes open and you'll be rewarded.