Gypsy 83

[Nikolaj]

I didn't like the film, either. With no Stevie songs in it, it really ruined the film, it all made much less sense and seemed pointless that there was any Stevie connection to the story.
I listened to the entire commentary track, and it's amazing they got financing; union actors and crew, a release, everything but clearance for the music, which was essential to make the film work. The misguided (and inexperienced at business dealings??) director kept hoping for the ok, but hoping wasn't enough and the movie's a train wreck because the music, only with the not SN-sung dubbed 'Talk To Me' is so clearly missing. It would have been better just not to make the film at all.
He (the director) claims that Sara Rue sang a breathtaking 'Julia' they weren't allowed to use in the film. Maybe that's where they went wrong- choosing essentially a 'bootleg' song must have made it easier for SN's attorney to say 'No' to using any material she'd ever written.
I think also there was caution or homophobia about some of the storyline of the film, one of the main young male characters was gay, and I feel that is partially why the director got turned down--
-- I don't think anyone from Stevie on down would admit it, but I think it was a factor. They wanted something more than a small-time film about outcast 'weirdos' to have an entire Stevie soundtrack, like a real big studio movie. I kind of understand that.
Karen Black was good in it, though, as the washed-up lounge singer. Sara Rue is a likeable actress, and I only watched the film once, but I found her character to be crude and a very unlikeable stereotype of an overbearing 'fat chick with a mouth'. I guess it really was the wrong movie for Stevie to let her music be used in.

[APerfectLie]

I must be in the minority, but I loved the film. Of course it is lacking Stevie music which would have made the film amazing. But at the end of the day, the movie is not about Stevie. Like someone stated earlier, it is about a journey and finding themselves, they just happened to be Stevie fans. So I thought it was awesome to have so much Stevie-ness included in a movie, even tho it lacked her songs. Of course I don't think it was the best movie ever, but it is a decent way to spend an evening. Also, I wonder if video is out there of Sara Rue singing Julia?

[Nikolaj]

Originally Posted by APerfectLie

Also, I wonder if video is out there of Sara Rue singing Julia?

I wouldn't count on that! It was recorded and filmed, but perhaps SN's attorney (who I only now recalled was the one who nixed SN's music being allowed) insisted any 'Julia' footage be destroyed to even allow the film to be released. I don't know, but perhaps.
If they wouldn't allow any released music in the film, I doubt Sara Rue's 'Julia' survived. Cutting room and cut to pieces would be my guess.

[APerfectLie]

Originally Posted by Nikolaj

I wouldn't count on that! It was recorded and filmed, but perhaps SN's attorney (who I only now recalled was the one who nixed SN's music being allowed) insisted any 'Julia' footage be destroyed to even allow the film to be released.
If they wouldn't allow any released music in the film, I doubt Sara's 'Julia' survived. Cutting room and cut to pieces would be my guess.

Well damnit!

[Nikolaj]

Originally Posted by APerfectLie

Well damnit!

I don't know! It was my best guess! Write Sara Rue? Maybe she'll have a copy she'll share?
I don't know that, either!
Ya know, I can understand how someone young could appreciate the film as a coming of age story and find it relatable. But I think anyone over 30 would find it a tedious waste of time to watch a SN themed movie with no SN music in it. Glad you liked it.

[APerfectLie]

Originally Posted by Nikolaj

I don't know! It was my best guess! Write Sara Rue? Maybe she'll have a copy she'll share?
I don't know that, either!
Ya know, I can understand how someone young could appreciate the film as a coming of age story and find it relatable. But I think anyone over 30 would find it a tedious waste of time to watch a SN themed movie with no SN music in it. Glad you liked it.

I actually tweeted her, we shall see if she replies to it. And you are probably right.

[Kayli]

I have to admit, I found this movie horrendous Sara Rue has a pretty voice and her acting is good, it was just the storyline was dull for me. The predictability wasn't a bother, I just found this movie.....weird. However, I'm glad I finally saw it.

The Stevieness throughout should be totally seen by Stevie herself. I'm sure she'd get a kick out of it as tickled as she was by "School of Rock"

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by skuncles

That footage I found to be very scary. I know they have this every year, but it's way too freaky for me.

I used to feel that way too. I would go back and forth between wanting to go and being scared of being too straight for it. I went last year and LOVED it. I mean absolutely loved it and felt like I was totally with "my people."

To answer the thread question, I've never seen this movie.

[Sahara]

Originally Posted by Nikolaj

I found her character to be crude and a very unlikeable stereotype of an overbearing 'fat chick with a mouth'.

I agree, I think 'crude' is the word that characterised the whole thing for me. The opening sequence was beautiful but the rest of the movie really lacked that delicate touch.

[GoldDustOrphan]

The film's director Todd Stephens is a huge Stevie fan. His previous film - which he only wrote - is titled "Edge of Seventeen."

There was no way the people administering Stevie's publishing were going to discount her music for an indie film with such a low profile. If it were a high profile indie by a notable filmmaker with a certain pedigree or some big star's pet arthouse project, it might have been a different story.

It should be noted that the film's producers could have pursued the rights to use "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," but I'm sure the license was just too expensive. Stephens said that they wanted to use a song by Siouxie & The Banshees and two by Echo & The Bunnymen, but they also proved too expensive.

[APerfectLie]

Originally Posted by GoldDustOrphan

The film's director Todd Stephens is a huge Stevie fan. His previous film - which he only wrote - is titled "Edge of Seventeen."

There was no way the people administering Stevie's publishing were going to discount her music for an indie film with such a low profile. If it were a high profile indie by a notable filmmaker with a certain pedigree or some big star's pet arthouse project, it might have been a different story.

It should be noted that the film's producers could have pursued the rights to use "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," but I'm sure the license was just too expensive. Stephens said that they wanted to use a song by Siouxie & The Banshees and two by Echo & The Bunnymen, but they also proved too expensive.

I wonder why they didn't use Edge of Seventeen. Grand Theft Auto had no problem using it and I highly doubt the makers wanted to put up big bucks for it.

[GoldDustOrphan]

Gypsy 83 had a production budget of $1.5 million and simply couldn't afford the license for any of Stevie's compositions, including Edge of Seventeen.

The last Grand Theft Auto video game - the fourth in the series - did over $400 million in sales in its first week of release. They can afford anything.

[djdanii]

i just saw Gypsy83 for the first time. I liked it. I agree it sucked without any Stevie's music in it, but all in all I thought i was a cute movie. And being gay myself I thought Clive was cute. I loved how for the Night of the Thousand Stevies special feature it said, now insert Edge of Seventeen (preferably the live version from the "Enchanted" CD. . I so would have done that too, if I would have been at home when I watched it, but I was housesitting for someone so I watched the movie at their house.