Graffiti Bridge

In 1991, Prince was quoted as saying:

"Graffiti Bridge was one of the purest, most spiritual, uplifting things I've ever done. It was non-violent, positive and had no blatant sex scenes. Maybe it will take people 30 years to get it. They trashed The Wizard of Oz at first, too."

That quote has stuck with us over the years, so we decided to let three decades pass before bringing Prince's "Purple Rain" sequel, "Graffiti Bridge" back to the big screen. The follow-up to my all-time favorite movie remains a surreal viewing experience. If you never experienced this forgotten gem on the big screen, now's your chance. Limited run in select theatres or catch it at private function screenings by itself or with a movie thats purple.

Prince's 3rd Movie. Graffiti Bridge is basically the sequel to Purple Rain, how great is that?! Very. It's a comedy, musical, and drama all rolled into one. Prince does very nice work with this. 1990's Graffiti Bridge finds his purple highness not only singing and acting, but writing and directing, Prince (known as the Kid) was fighting for his place on stage. This time he's fighting to keep his club safe from the money-grubbing hands of his musical rival, the Time's Morris Day, now a nightclub mogul. Day embodies spiritual, sexual, and economic corruption, while the Kid stands for salvation through music and a more redemptive form of lust.

I own this movie and have watched it several times throughout the years since it was released. Prince stuns us with his phenomenal acting style, he's an accomplished musician, and I feel like that is what he displayed here, he's just the best one to tell this story through influence. Most of this movie is straightforward and teenish but that is not the directors/writers fault, its rated PG-13 and thats better, nobody gon be traumatized when they chillin in front their tv, mild suspense is there, you can just have it randomly playing in the background and people are really receptive to this movie when you have mixed company over. Still it is a great movie with even better music. The principals and moral convictions in Graffiti Bridge are quite strong, and if more movies would rely on the basics we are taught as young children we would have a better all around environment seeing that art reflects life which reflects art.

I got my fix of Graf. Bridge with a Prince movie marathon inside Bing Art Books- a cozy little bookstore that honored Prince with a nice watch-party in their intimate venue. This movie sees the return of Prince's character The Kid, along with foes Morris Day and Time, with special appearances from other musicians. The film follows on from Purple Rain in that as Prince is still competing with Morris to see who is the king of night time entertainment in Minneapolis. Only now Prince and Day don't just play in bands, they each own a club, and are in direct financial competition with one another. Day hatches a plan to get rid of Prince and take over his club (which is called the Glam Slam). Prince, though, isn't too concerned; he's more interested in getting all philosophical and spends most of the film running about with his poet girlfriend Aura. I feel very trendy and cosmopolitan after watching this.

An interesting concept that breaks out of the conventions of cinematic reality and brushes lightly on surrealism. Graffiti Bridge was a good album. An unofficial sequel to Purple Rain, The Kid (Prince) & Morris Day are once again pitted against one another, only this time both are club owners, with The Kid in hock to Day & struggling to make ends meat. Refusing to sign over his club to his archrival, The Kid attempts to settle his debts through a song-writing contest. If he loses, the club goes to Day. The film has its moments - notably musical highlights such as Thieves In The Temple, Shake! & New Power Generation; & Morris Day gives a highly entertaining performance. DIE HARD FANS MUST WATCH THIS RAD MOVIE LOL (see you at the fan meetups!)