Purple Rain 1984

As the curtains draw open on the First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis, the city’s vibrant energy is palpable. ‘The Revolution’ takes the stage, with lead singer The Kid (Prince) bringing his signature flair and charisma to the performance of “Let’s Go Crazy”. Amidst the pulsating rhythms and infectious beats, a young aspiring performer named Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero) arrives at the club, seeking to meet with the manager. Though he’s unavailable, one of the club’s staff members takes down her information, setting the stage for future developments.

Meanwhile, The Kid returns home to his mother (Olga Karlatos) and father (Clarence Williams III), a mixed-race couple beset by the challenges of their tumultuous relationship. The father’s physical abuse towards the mother serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities that lie beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic family.

The following day, Morris Day and his group, ‘The Time’, take over the stage at First Avenue, their smooth sounds and slick dance moves a far cry from the revolutionary fervor of The Revolution. As Morris (Morris Day) confides in club owner Billy (Billy Sparks) about seeking to replace The Revolution with a new act, Billy appears receptive to the idea of an all-girl group.

The Kid, ever the charmer, sets his sights on Apollonia, whisking her away on a thrilling motorcycle ride that culminates in a heart-stopping moment at Lake Minnetonka. As Apollonia strips down to her underwear and takes the plunge into the water, The Kid reveals his true intentions, leaving her feeling exposed and enraged. However, he ultimately decides to stay by her side, allowing her to climb back onto dry land.

Tensions within ‘The Revolution’ begin to simmer as assistant guitarist Wendy (Wendy Melvoin) and keyboardist Lisa (Lisa Coleman) continue to pen music for the band, only to have it repeatedly rejected by The Kid. Their frustration boils over when he mocks their sentiments using a puppet, further eroding the already fragile bonds within the group.

As Morris courts Apollonia with a champagne toast and promises of stardom, The Kid watches on, his emotions laid bare as he performs “The Beautiful Ones” with ‘The Revolution’. The song’s poignant lyrics leave Apollonia in tears, her heart still reeling from The Kid’s earlier antics. As the night wears on, the stage is set for a series of events that will shake the very foundations of this vibrant city and its inhabitants.

As the curtains close on the show, The Kid invites Apollonia to his humble abode, where he indulges in a vinyl record that whispers sensual nothings in their ears. He assures her that the sultry tones are merely a reversed recording of a woman’s despairing cries, and with a mischievous glint in his eye, he seals their love with a passionate kiss. The tender moments shared between them are later juxtaposed against the backdrop of a carefree motorcycle ride, where “When Doves Cry” serves as the sonic accompaniment to The Kid’s introspective meandering.

A few days later, Morris convinces Apollonia to join the group, and she arrives at The Kid’s doorstep with the news. However, instead of celebrating her decision, he reacts with a fierce intensity, slapping her with all the pent-up emotions that have been brewing within him - a moment eerily reminiscent of his father’s cruel treatment of his mother.

The Kid becomes aware that Billy plans to cut one of their acts from the club’s rotation, prompting him to take a solo ride through the open roads. As he navigates the twists and turns, memories of his tender moments with Apollonia flash before his eyes like a cinematic montage set to Prince’s haunting ballad.

Upon returning home, The Kid finds his mother sitting on the front steps, her tears falling like summer rain. His father, meanwhile, is ensconced in the basement, lost in a haze of cigarette smoke and melancholic melodies. As their paths converge, The Kid discovers that his father has been secretly crafting musical compositions of his own, but refuses to commit them to paper - leaving his son wondering about the true extent of his creative endeavors.

Back at First Avenue, The Revolution takes the stage by storm with “Computer Blue”, a performance that finds The Kid embodying an air of ecstasy and abandon. However, it appears that his music has failed to resonate with the crowd, and he soon becomes aware of Apollonia’s discomfort as she watches him from the sidelines.

As the evening wears on, The Revolution launches into the provocative “Darling Nikki”, a song that leaves Apollonia feeling humiliated and embarrassed. She beats a hasty retreat, leaving The Kid to stew in his own frustration. Billy enters his dressing room, only to find his friend consumed by anger and bitterness - a state of being eerily reminiscent of his father’s failed musical aspirations.

As the weeks pass, Apollonia 6 makes their debut at First Avenue, their sultry hit single “Sex Shooter” sending the crowd into raptures. Billy’s constant reminders that they will eventually supplant The Kid as the club’s main attraction only serve to fuel his growing resentment. After the show, Apollonia and Morris (whose intoxication has given way to lecherous intentions) take a stroll together, but their romantic evening is cut short when The Kid appears on his motorcycle, his eyes blazing with an intensity that ultimately scares her off.

As they ride away from the city lights, The Kid’s aggressive behavior towards Apollonia culminates in her departure - leaving him alone to confront the turmoil brewing within.

As The Kid returns to the desolate landscape of his childhood home, he’s met with an unsettling sight: chaos and destruction reign supreme, while his mother’s absence hangs like a palpable void. Descent into the basement reveals the true extent of the devastation, where his father’s attempted self-destruction serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of human life. Miraculously spared by a mere graze to the head, the elder is whisked away by medics, leaving The Kid to process the gravity of the situation.

In the aftermath, the young musician finds solace in the creative endeavors of his father, stumbling upon compositions that seem to hold the key to unlocking his own artistic expression. The following morning, a serendipitous encounter with Wendy and Lisa’s “Slow Groove” sparks an epiphany within him, urging him to take up the mantle of composition.

That evening, The Time takes the stage by storm, their high-energy performance drawing rave reviews from the enthralled crowd. Morris, ever the provocateur, taunts The Kid in the Revolution’s dressing room with a pointed query: “How’s the family?” His cohorts burst into laughter, but the cruel joke quickly backfires as Morris’s words hang heavy in the air.

As the night wears on, The Revolution takes center stage, their set list culminating in a showstopping performance of Wendy and Lisa’s “Purple Rain”, which leaves even the stoic Billy visibly moved. In a stirring display of emotional vulnerability, The Kid dedicates the song to his beleaguered father, sending shivers down the spines of the awestruck audience.

In the aftermath of this cathartic release, The Kid is torn between his desire to flee and the intoxicating rush of applause. He’s eventually drawn back onto the stage for a rousing rendition of “I Would Die 4 U”, as scenes of him visiting his father in hospital intersperse with Apollonia’s visit to the basement. As the curtain closes, The Kid stands triumphant, his gaze burning with an intensity that seems to pierce the very soul of the audience.

The film concludes on a haunting note, The Kid delivering one final, piercing glance that lingers long after the credits roll.