Stardust (2020 film)

The film focuses on Bowie's abortive first tour of the US in 1971, his troubled relationships with his wife Angie and half-brother Terry Burns, and his creation of the Ziggy Stardust persona.{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/stardust-david-bowie-biopic-johnny-flynn-first-image/|title=Stardust: David Bowie Biopic Shares First Pic Of Johnny Flynn As Music Icon|date=2019-08-20|website=Empire|language=en|access-date=2020-01-08|archive-date=2 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202122337/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/stardust-david-bowie-biopic-johnny-flynn-first-image/|url-status=live}}

{{castlist|

• Johnny Flynn as David Bowie
• Marc Maron as Ron Oberman, Bowie’s publicist.
• Jena Malone as Angie Bowie
• Derek Moran as Terry Jones
• Anthony Flanagan as Dr. Reynolds
• Julian Richings as Tony DeFries
• Aaron Poole as Mick Ronson
• James Cade as Marc Bolan
• Jeremy Legat as Woody Woodmansey
• Monica Parker as Mrs. Oberman
• Roanna Cocharne as Charlotte Banks
• Jorja Cadence as June Bolan
• Annie Briggs as Jeanie Richardson
• Ryan Blakley as Tom Classon
• Gord Rand as Michael Oberman

}}

In August 2019, Johnny Flynn was revealed in a first image portraying Bowie. Marc Maron, Jena Malone, Aaron Poole, Roanna Cocharne, Jorja Cadence, Annie Briggs, and Ryan Blakley were cast in supporting roles,{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=2020-10-28 |title=‘Stardust’ Trailer: Johnny Flynn Transforms Into David Bowie in Upcoming Drama |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/david-bowie-stardust-trailer-1234817832/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} along with Jeremy Legat and James Cade.{{Cite web |title=Stardust |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/stardust/cast/2000405284/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}

Filming commenced on 4 July 2019, taking place in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and also in the United States, and concluded later in September 2019.

Bowie's estate did not approve the film and did not grant rights to use Bowie's music.{{cite news|title=David Bowie's son Duncan Jones slams plans for planned biopic about his dad|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/david-bowies-son-duncan-jones-slams-plans-planned-biopic-dad-104411494.html|last=Arnold|first=Ben|date=1 February 2019|work=Yahoo!|access-date=23 January 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309022221/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/david-bowies-son-duncan-jones-slams-plans-planned-biopic-dad-104411494.html|url-status=live}} Instead, Stardust has Bowie performing covers the real Bowie performed in this period, such as "I Wish You Would" by The Yardbirds and "Amsterdam" by Jacques Brel.{{cite news|title='Stardust' review: David Bowie biopic documents the genesis of an icon|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/stardust-review-david-bowie-biopic-delves-deep-into-the-genesis-of-an-icon-2652346|last=Beaumont|first=Mark|date=16 April 2020|work=NME|access-date=29 October 2020|language=en-GB|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101023851/https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/stardust-review-david-bowie-biopic-delves-deep-into-the-genesis-of-an-icon-2652346|url-status=live}}

Stardust was scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2020, but the festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite magazine|last1=Reed|first1=Ryan|title=Tribeca Film Festival Postponed Over Coronavirus Precautions|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/tribeca-film-festival-postponed-coronavirus-966636/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=12 March 2020|access-date=18 March 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805140218/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/tribeca-film-festival-postponed-coronavirus-966636/|url-status=live}} Instead, the film premiered on October 16, 2020 at the San Diego International Film Festival.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-23|title=The Re-Imagined 2020 San Diego International Film Festival Announces Festival to Feature Virtual Village & Drive-In Movies!|url=https://sdfilmfest.com/2020-festival-slate-announced-nomadland-opening-the-san-diego-international-film-festival/|access-date=2020-09-25|work=San Diego International Film Festival|language=en-US|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109215416/https://sdfilmfest.com/2020-festival-slate-announced-nomadland-opening-the-san-diego-international-film-festival/|url-status=live}} In August 2020, IFC Films acquired US distribution rights.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/david-bowie-road-trip-movie-stardust-secures-u-s-deal-with-ifc-films-1203017369/|title=David Bowie Road-Trip Movie 'Stardust' Secures U.S. Deal With IFC Films|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=19 August 2020|access-date=31 August 2020|archive-date=21 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821101816/https://deadline.com/2020/08/david-bowie-road-trip-movie-stardust-secures-u-s-deal-with-ifc-films-1203017369/|url-status=live}} It was released{{Where|date=July 2021}} on November 25, 2020.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 19% based on 73 reviews with an average rating of 4.3/10. The critics' consensus on the website reads: "Ground control to Major Tom, Stardust did not put its helmet on."{{Cite web|title=Stardust|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stardust_2020|access-date=27 July 2022|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119025005/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stardust_2020|url-status=live}} On Metacritic, the film has a score of 35 out of 100 based on 19 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".{{Cite web|title=Stardust|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/stardust-2020|access-date=13 February 2022|website=Metacritic|archive-date=10 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110132017/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/stardust-2020|url-status=live}}

The A.V. Club{{'}}s Ignatiy Vishnevetsky referred to the production as "velvet garbage" and concluding the film's version of Bowie to be "simply a mediocre jerk who needs roleplaying therapy to deal with his demons."{{Cite web|last=Vishnevetsky|first=Ignatiy|date=24 November 2020|title=Stardust, the Bowie biopic without any Bowie songs, is velvet garbage|url=https://www.avclub.com/stardust-the-bowie-biopic-without-any-bowie-songs-is-1845745234|access-date=15 January 2021|publisher=The A.V. Club|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116184505/https://film.avclub.com/stardust-the-bowie-biopic-without-any-bowie-songs-is-1845745234|url-status=live}} Simran Hans of The Observer gave the film one out of five and wrote: "the whole thing feels strangely pedestrian, unable to capture or channel Bowie's maverick spirit."{{Cite web|last=Hans|first=Simran|date=2021-01-17|title=Stardust review – David Bowie biopic has no sparkle|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/17/stardust-review-david-bowie-1971-us-tour-johnny-flynn|access-date=2022-02-13|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=5 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105162619/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/17/stardust-review-david-bowie-1971-us-tour-johnny-flynn|url-status=live}} Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film two out of five, describing it as "a strained, frustrating concoction that doesn’t do its subject justice", though he praised Flynn's performance as Bowie.{{Cite web|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|authorlink=Peter Bradshaw|date=14 January 2021|title=Stardust review – David Bowie biopic is an odd-couple oddity|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/14/stardust-review-david-bowie-biopic|access-date=13 February 2022|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=10 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110135007/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/14/stardust-review-david-bowie-biopic|url-status=live}} Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent also praised Flynn's performance, writing: "The actor-musician... is convincing as a tortured glam rocker – just not the one who ever sang about Major Tom’s interplanetary adventures." She also gave the film two out of five.{{Cite web|last=Loughrey|first=Clarisse|date=2021-01-14|title=Stardust is a flimsy, unrecognisable portrait of David Bowie in his early years – review|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/stardust-review-b1786476.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/stardust-review-b1786476.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2022-02-13|website=The Independent|language=en}} Tara Brady of The Irish Times also gave the film two out of five, writing: "Exasperating viewing for fans and certain to baffle newcomers, it's a curious, imaginative thing, but who exactly is it for?"{{Cite news|last=Brady|first=Tara|title=Stardust: David Bowie's 1971 tour of the US was disastrous. This film about it isn't much better|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/stardust-david-bowie-s-1971-tour-of-the-us-was-disastrous-this-film-about-it-isn-t-much-better-1.4457300|access-date=2023-02-23|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 January 2021|language=en|archive-date=3 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803203551/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/stardust-david-bowie-s-1971-tour-of-the-us-was-disastrous-this-film-about-it-isn-t-much-better-1.4457300|url-status=live}} David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter deemed it "a mostly listless odyssey, its lack of excitement compounded by the absence of Bowie's music."{{Cite web|last=Rooney|first=David|date=2020-04-16|title='Stardust': Film Review {{!}} Tribeca 2020|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/stardust-tribeca-2020-1290616/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213053532/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/stardust-tribeca-2020-1290616/|url-status=live}}

James Mottram of the South China Morning Post gave the film three out of five stars, writing: "If you compare Stardust to Bohemian Rhapsody or Rocketman ... then this David Bowie drama is like a rare groove B-side."{{Cite web|last=Mottram|first=James|date=2021-03-17|title=Stardust: David Bowie drama sees the pre-fame rocker find his voice|url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3125644/stardust-movie-review-david-bowie-drama-pictures-rocker-he|access-date=2022-02-13|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213053543/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3125644/stardust-movie-review-david-bowie-drama-pictures-rocker-he|url-status=live}} Kate Erbland of IndieWire gave the film a C+, writing that "while there are flashes of originality in the film's script — which quite artfully builds on Bowie's worries with a distinctly personal edge — most of it is relatively straightforward, never as psychedelic or sophisticated as its opening shot".{{Cite web|last=Erbland|first=Kate|date=2020-04-16|title='Stardust' Review: David Bowie's Early Years Get a Timid Biopic With an Explosive Star Turn|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/04/stardust-review-david-bowie-biopic-johnny-flynn-1202225126/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=IndieWire|language=en|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213055139/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/04/stardust-review-david-bowie-biopic-johnny-flynn-1202225126/|url-status=live}} In NME, Mark Beaumont gave the film four out of five, writing that it worked better as a "revelatory road-trip movie" rather than a biopic. He felt the lack of Bowie's music "robs the film of the sense that Bowie's glowering talent was being criminally ignored". Marjorie Baumgarten of The Austin Chronicle wrote: "Even though Stardust is not coated in gossamer, the film still has some glittery moments."{{Cite web|last1=Baumgarten|first1=Marjorie|date=November 16, 2020|title=Sound Unseen Review: Stardust|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/screens/2020-11-16/sound-unseen-review-stardust/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=The Austin Chronicle|language=en-US|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213053534/https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/screens/2020-11-16/sound-unseen-review-stardust/|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|9694312}}
• [http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=filvidandsou&id=571939&lang=eng Stardust] at Library and Archives Canada

{{David Bowie|state=collapsed}}

Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:2020 films

Category:2020 biographical drama films

Category:Cultural depictions of David Bowie

Category:English-language Canadian films

Category:British biographical drama films

Category:Biographical films about singers

Category:Canadian biographical drama films

Category:IFC Films films

Category:Films shot in Toronto

Category:2020s English-language films

Category:2020s Canadian films

Category:2020s British films

Category:English-language biographical drama films