Sting Movies
British rock artist/actor Sting came into the world as Gordon Sumner, earning his more famous soubriquet thanks to his predilection for wearing beelike striped shirts. At 17, Sting toured the world as a musical performer on the Princess Cruise luxury-vacation line. He attended Warwick University, then made ends meet as a teacher, income tax clerk, and construction worker before achieving fame as lead singer of the rock group The Police. Following the 1977 release of the Police's inaugural recording Fall Out, Sting was approached by the producers of the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only to costar as the megalomaniac villain. He refused, choosing instead to make his film bow in the more characteristic role of a teen punk in Quadrophrenia (1979). One of his more impressive film appearances was as the enigmatic antihero of the pitch-black comedy Brimstone and Treacle (1982). While filmmaking remains a lucrative sideline for Sting -- his feature films include Dune (1984), The Bride (1985), and Bring on the Night (1986) -- he continues to invest most of his energy into music, winning seven Grammies for his recording work. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1982
The made-for-TV Parole stars the music of Bob Dylan and Sting. Actually, it stars James Naughton, but the music is (or should have been) the selling angle. Naughton portrays street-smart Boston parole officer Andy Driscoll, who takes a personal interest in each of his charges and tries to mainstream them into decent society. The plot concentrates on one such parolee, played by Mark Sopper, who considers returning to crime after losing his girl, his job and his home. The film's studied grittiness is undercut by a contrived car chase and a phony happy ending. Watch for Ellen Barkin in the supporting role of "Donna." Filmed as a TV pilot in late 1980, Parole was not telecast until September of 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Sting, Stuart Copeland, and Andy Summers perform sixteen tunes taken from their 1980-81 international tour. The film also provides an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the famed rockers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
This film version of the Who's rock opera Quadrophenia makes a few tentative stabs at "explaining" the alienation of 1960s British working-class youth, but its major selling point is its nonstop rock-and-R&B musical score, including the hit single "Love Reign O'er Me." Phil Daniels (replacing the original opera's Roger Daltrey) plays Jimmy, a member of a well-dressed, drugged-up teenaged gang called the Mods, forever duking it out with the cycle-punk Rockers. The rivalry between the two gangs comes to a head during three tempestuous days in the seaside town of Brighton. Here Jimmy makes love to lovely local Steph (Leslie Ash), and forges a strong friendship with unofficial Mod leader Ace Face (Sting). A series of disappointments and setbacks in his own London neighborhood convinces Jimmy to return to Brighton to pick up the pieces. If you aren't fascinated by the visual pyrotechnics of Quadrophenia, just close your eyes and revel to the soundtrack music of the Who, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, the Chiffons, Manfred Man, and many others. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phil Daniels, Mark Wingett, (more)
Set in England's dreary midwinter season, this slow-paced story chronicles the partial awakening from apathy of Robert, a DJ, as he investigates the mysterious death of his brother. As he travels, he is constantly surrounded by music from David Bowie, Kraftwork, Sting and Devo, among others. Despite his apparent intention of looking into his brother's death, he can't bring himself to investigate even the most blatant clues. As his anomie returns, he begins discarding any connection with his surroundings, eventually boarding a train bound for he knows-not-where. Despite the movie's relentlessly grim storyline and setting and its slow pace, some reviewers reported that they found this feature oddly refreshing. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Beames, Lisa Kreuzer, (more)
