--- title: "Purple Rain: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/purple-rain/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/purple-rain" critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Purple Rain (1984): what the critics said Critics' score 62 from 10 reviews: 5 positive, 3 mixed, 2 negative. The reviews lean favourable on Purple Rain, with praise concentrated on Prince’s music and stage presence rather than the drama around them. Even several sceptical critics find the concert performances compelling, singling out the songwriting, guitar playing and showmanship. The more enthusiastic accounts also credit the concert lighting and camerawork, while some argue that the songs express the protagonist’s feelings more persuasively than the dialogue and acting. The spread is wide, and the main disagreement concerns whether the filmmaking sustains that appeal away from the stage. The Hollywood Reporter praises an emotionally engaging story, evocative direction and fluid editing; The New Yorker finds the story mawkish and the direction fractured and flashy. Other reservations centre on weak lead performances, excessive length and melodrama that wears less well than the music. Even among the negative reviews, however, Prince’s musical performances remain a substantial source of pleasure. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Duane Byrge Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 July 2017. Byrge calls the film an accomplished, emotionally engaging story of personal triumph. He especially praises Magnoli’s evocative direction and the film’s fluid editing and striking visuals. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/purple-rain-review-1984-movie-1024852/) ## Variety — Cynthia Kirk Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 4 July 1984. Kirk finds the film a rousing, appealing backstage musical and praises Prince’s compelling screen presence. She also singles out the concert sequences for their vivid lighting and strong camerawork. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1984/film/reviews/purple-rain-1200426264/) ## Slant Magazine — Eric Henderson Rating 3/4. 24 August 2004. Henderson argues that the film deserves more respect than its reputation suggests, despite its obviousness and Prince-centered vanity. He praises how the songs reveal the protagonist’s feelings and how the concert filming makes the climactic musical sequence work. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/purple-rain/) ## Time Out — FD Fi1m's normalised score 67/100 (inferred from the text). The available excerpt offers an admiring view of Prince but does not reveal the review’s overall verdict. It singles out his magnetic stage presence and guitar performance. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/purple-rain-2) ## Radio Times — John Ferguson Rating 3/5. The critic calls it Prince’s first and easily best film, though its lead performances disappoint. Morris Day’s charismatic turn and Prince and the Revolution’s captured concert performances are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-7k14uy/purple-rain/) ## The AV Club — Nathan Rabin Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 30 August 2004. Rabin finds the film a muddled drama but an enduring showcase for Prince’s music and performance. He especially praises its songwriting and showmanship, while criticizing its acting and melodrama. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/purple-rain-20th-anniversary-1798199902) ## Empire — Ian Nathan Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Nathan finds the film overlong and dramatically weak, despite its appeal to Prince fans. He singles out the music, especially the title song, as its saving grace. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/purple-rain-review/) ## The New Yorker — Pauline Kael Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 12 August 1984. Kael finds the film pretty terrible, criticizing its mawkish story and fractured, flashy direction. She praises Prince’s impudence and musical performances, which give the movie energy. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1984/08/20/the-charismatic-half-and-halfs) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2025. Kermode finds the film a compelling work of cinema, not merely an extended music video. She especially praises Prince’s climactic stage performance for its passion, energy and continuing relevance. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/purple-rain-1984-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## The Ringer — Lindsay Zoladz Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 April 2016. Zoladz finds the film a joyful, fascinating artifact, despite its melodrama having aged less well than its performances. She especially praises the electrifying final performance sequence and the film’s exuberant celebration of Prince’s pop-star mythology. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2016/04/22/movies/the-audacious-joy-of-purple-rain-d4c17b8913f9) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/purple-rain.md