Its excessive performances and art direction used to evoke the flair of
the glitter rock era are tripped up by narrative stumbles (particularly the Citizen Kane allusions) but the film remains a guilty pleasure for many (including myself).
By 1984, it seems Arthur has given up his wild youth for a more conventional life, but the film ultimately argues that glam
rock's spirit never really dies, even during
eras in which platform shoes and
glitter eye shadow are less socially acceptable.