This gaudy film by Ken Russell (is there any other kind of film from him?) is wildly uneven, admittedly soft-porn, and highly over-dramatized. But, in the end, the finished product produces a tragic figure of a man who was greatly understood in his time and in history. At least give Russell the benefit of the doubt for having the courage to bring Valentino's story to the big screen, even if there are the inevitable excesses attached with Russell's style. He chose not only one, but two completely inexperienced actors with Nureyev and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and Papas. That took a lot of moxie. And yer, somehow, Russell pulled it off. This is a film made for the 21st century; when the elements of the sexual situations that got this film rated X or at the very least R, would be considered relatively tame by today's standards. Nureyev does a commendable job, as do all of the actors. There will never be another pairing of Huntz Hall and Rudolph Nureyev. Worth viewing.
Review of Valentino
