This morning I got online only to feel my stomach drop like a ton of bricks. News that David Bowie has passed away is flooding my news streams. Most of my friends are talking about his music and some about his larger body of creative work. Many people are sharing memories they associate with his songs and a few lucky people about experiences at live concerts.
My introduction to David Bowie is so much … less cool but equally dear to me. My first favorite movie, or at least the first one I remember, was Labyrinth. This 1986 collaboration between Jim Henson, George Lucas and David Bowie was, in financial terms, a flop. It cost an estimated $25 million to make and grossed an estimated $12.5 million. While the Henson puppetry is amazing, some of the film’s special effects are comically bad. Jennifer Connelly, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Beautiful Minds, is much less polished in this film. And the pants David Bowie wears for his role as Jareth the Goblin King. I don’t know if this is a pro or con to the film but they are terribly revealing for a movie targeting kids.
Objectively I can critique Labyrinth, but that doesn’t make me love it any less. I own a copy of the movie as well as the soundtrack. When I watch, I can sing along with the songs and recite too much of the dialogue along with the characters. There’s something lovely and ridiculous about it.
This morning, when I saw the David Bowie had died, I felt sad because it means we’re losing a creative genius. Because the music canon can’t be further expanded with his work.
And I knew, within milliseconds, that tonight I would be sitting down to watch one of my very favorite movies.
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