The Line, the Cross & the Curve

Ethereal British songstress Kate Bush wrote, directed, sings and sort-of acts in this 44mn short, an expansion of her simultaneously-released seventh studio album "The Red Shoes", inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fable as well as the 1948 Powell and Pressburger film of the same name (although the short itself shows a heavy influence of Cocteau's "Orpheus"). A dancer's studio rehearsal is interrupted by a power outage and a frantic woman (Miranda Richardson) who appears out of the mirror. She tells the dancer she needs three symbols drawn on paper to return home; in exchange for the stranger's kindness, she cunningly offers her red ballet slippers. Knowing something of Bush's theatrical background (which includes highly elaborate stage performances complete with mime and interpretive dance), it's no wonder she's at home in front of the camera. Still, this format doesn't allow the singer to stretch beyond basic music video performing--fiery Richardson does the only real acting here. Grammy nominee for Best Music Video-Long Form.

Some of the photography and such are very good in this, but Kate's lack of acting ability is apparent and startling in this -- much more so than was evident in her earlier videos.

If you are truly a fan, you will love it... It is of course quite mad, but utterly wonderful at the same time. It provides wonderful images to the music that, if you are watching this, the chances are you have heard over and over and over. The whole thing is a complete contradiction. It looks cheap and expensive, it is fantastic and yet grounded in a set somewhere in London. Most of all, it is flawed but completely flawless. Perhaps you need to talk yourself round to the idea that its brilliant, but its worth it if you do. Kate Bush the actress is as unconventional as the singer...naysayers will just say shes no good, but the Fan will see the passion instead of the (lack of) polish. The whole thing has a peculiarly British feel of enthusiasm-in-spite-of-budgetary-restrictions about it which fans should and will get carried away with. But it is also infused with magic and fantasy, in a way that more than compensates...it is not like other films; it doesn't look like other films, it doesn't have a plot like other films so it is pointless getting hung up on the fact that it doesn't. Just run with it. This, it has to be said, is a pretty awful review, but then I hope that the rambling, wafflish nature will make it clear just how Kate Bush can reduce her fans to an awe-struck stupor and that one of the key pleasures of this film, however superficial a pleasure it may be, is the smug satisfaction that non-fans just won't get it...

Saw this movie at the NuArt (West L.A.) theater in California some time ago.

Just want to add how much I myself enjoyed the work of this artist.

Though KATE BUSH supposedly downplays her own creation as "not her best work" this film,nonetheless,DOES have substantial merit.

"The Line,The Cross,and the Curve" delves into the archetypical and down into the roots of human life itself.

Something like an ordinary Everyman (or,in this case,an Everywoman) drawn into extraordinary situations. That's the kind of storytelling genius that the late Alfred Hitchcock used to use.

From being plucked from her musician life into a nightmarish purgatory and then being rescued by the forces of nature and good.....this is part of the adventure.

My favorite part of the film is when Kate's character is chasing the evil witch-character....a chase through all Eternity but Good triumphs over Evil. And Evil is put back in its place where it belongs.

Really a shame,that this film was not released theatrically in more places. Because, it needs to be seen on the big screen for full effect.

Probably one of the most quirky and campy videos I have ever seen. Full of beautiful imagery and strange humour. Kate is brilliant in her weirdness! I could watch this over and over and never get bored. Kind of reminds me of a Harlan Ellison comic or story come to life in beautiful color. Kate's acting ability is not Oscar worthy, but it works really well here. Miranda Richardson is phenomenal as is Lindsey Kemp. Aside from all of the film aspects, we cannot forget the incredible music where Kate's genius shines like a million suns. Definite two thumbs up and if you are a Kate fan you simply must own it :)