Stardust
By Alistair Lawrence,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Disappointing David Bowie biopic has language, sex, drugs.
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Stardust
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What's the Story?
STARDUST is a biopic inspired by David Bowie's first trip to the US in 1971. It's while on this tour that the iconic rock star decides to reinvent himself as... Ziggy Stardust.
Is It Any Good?
Made without the approval of the Bowie estate and drawing criticism from the family of his real-life colleague, Ron Oberman (Marc Maron), it's perhaps not surprising that this rock biopic falls flat. The movie's sole inspiration appears to be the commercial success of recent 1970s rock biopics Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman. Bowie's music doesn't feature, which leads to a lot of scenes discussing his appeal without ever really showing it. This robs the movie of any real energy or stakes, leaving only exposition-heavy dialogue and plenty of low-budget period wigs and costumes.
Both Flynn and Maron do their best to sell the road-movie premise. But Stardust is more akin to Somewhere, Sofia Coppola's examination of the downtime and behind-the-scenes listlessness that follows famous people from one promotional activity to the next. It's hard to imagine that a series of hotel lobbies and diners is how anyone wants to remember one of the most captivating rock stars who ever lived. The result is a movie that fails to live up to either its name or the very icon it attempts to portray.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the drinking, smoking, and drug use in Stardust. Did it surprise you that Bowie is shown being so open about his use of them? Were there any consequences of the drug use? Why is that important?
Discuss how the movie portrays sex. Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Talk about some of the strong language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How much did you know about David Bowie before this film? Did it seem like an accurate portrayal? Would you like to learn more about Bowie and his music?
Bowie's family has rejected the movie and refused to allow his music to be used. Did this impact your enjoyment of the movie? Should the wishes of someone's family be considered when making a biopic? Why or why not? How did this movie compare to other biopics you've seen?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 25, 2020
- On DVD or streaming: November 25, 2020
- Cast: Johnny Flynn , Marc Maron , Jena Malone
- Director: Gabriel Range
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Pansexual actors
- Studio: IFC Films
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- Run time: 109 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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