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Sid & Nancy is a 1986 British
biopic starring the fantastic Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious (bassist for the punk rock band Sex Pistols) and Chloe Webb
(Sid’s heroin loving girlfriend). Films based upon actual events have always fascinated
me, especially ones depicting disastrous stories such as the unfortunate deaths of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen… two
lovers caught in a drug-fueled relationship that ultimately end in tragedy.
Sid & Nancy exhibit the unglamorous side of sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. It is an intentional
train wreck from start to finish.
Gary Oldman’s portrayal
of Sid Vicious is inspiring and uncanny. It is reported that Oldman lost so much weight to play Sid that
he was briefly hospitalized when he lost too much. That’s true dedication. And
after watching the film, I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t high on drugs himself in most of those scenes –
because this is quite possibly the best portrayal of a junkie that I have ever seen. The official soundtrack
contain no songs sung by either the Sex Pistols or Sid Vicious himself, Gary Oldman lent his voice for a few of the songs
and did a remarkable job. I’ve heard some people even say to have liked Gary’s version of “My
Way” better than Sid’s.
Although Gary’s
performance is impeccable, some people have said that he was only acting like the stage persona of Sid, not the real man (according
to John Lydon – lead singer of Sex Pistols).
I wish
I could say more positive things about Chloe Webb’s performance as Nancy Spungen. Her acting was
more of a nuisance and annoyance than it was enjoyable. Her nasally whine will get under your skin instantly.
But honestly – I can’t talk bad about it because that is how the real Nancy Spungen is remembered.
In fact, her nickname was “Nauseating Nancy”, so I suppose Chloe’s performance was spot on.
The story ends with the death of Nancy Spungen, which occurred the morning of October 12th, 1978 at the
Hotel Chelsea in Manhattan. A lot is unknown about that morning, did Sid actually do it? Many
stories have surfaced over the years, but who really knows the truth other than the two that were there that night?
Was it murder? Was it an accident? Or did a robbery actually take place the night
before that ended with tragedy? No one will ever know, the mystery died the night Sid Vicious died himself
four months after Nancy’s unfortunate end.
The film featured a few interesting and
questionable camera angles and directorial decisions that often left me scratching my head – like the use of money flowing
in the wind, garbage falling from the sky or the act of speeding up the camera in unnecessary shots. And
the ending itself is confusing, misleading and unsatisfying. So much happened within those four months
after Nancy’s death, but none of it was actually shown.
Most
of this film is hearsay and could even be taken as propaganda – since some of the material is fraudulent or based upon
what other people have said or heard. And a lot of it is open for interpretation, such as the closing scene
and Nancy’s death. But I found it enjoyable and yet disturbing at the same time.
Sid and Nancy are without a doubt the Yoko Ono and John Lennon of punk rock – it was such a tragic end to a promising
career and life.
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