This film feels like a missed opportunity. Whilst the concept and style is strong, where it falls down is in a very weak and two-dimensional central character. If I'm being generous I'd not entirely castigate Paul Jones' performance for this, as I suspect he was being told Stephen Shorter should have 'no personality' and is a 'blank canvas'. Nevertheless Jones' perpetually-pensive portrayal lacks any depth and completely fails to capture the sort of nuanced flashes of individual ego or rebellion underneath which renders Shorter not only unsympathetic, but rather unbelievable. The producers ought to have held out for a talented actor who could have been dubbed, rather than a pop star who should have stuck with Manfred Mann (although if he had maybe we wouldn't have got all the brilliant Mike D'Abo hits such as Mighty Quinn or Ragamuffin Man).
I thought 'Privilege' felt most like it could have been a British 'Network'? Both have a similar satirical narrative of the entertainment industry and both explore the deeper political connotations of media control. But it is the phenomenal acting in the latter which raises it from rather preposterous story to completely believable gem, with Faye Dunaway demonstrating just what can be imbued in a character designed to be just as two-dimensional and vapid emotionally as Shorter.
Looking at it 45 years on, the themes of state control and pop puppetry retain a contemporary relevance which make this film an interesting watch. But I imagine you'll find yourself wishing it had been executed a little better...
I thought 'Privilege' felt most like it could have been a British 'Network'? Both have a similar satirical narrative of the entertainment industry and both explore the deeper political connotations of media control. But it is the phenomenal acting in the latter which raises it from rather preposterous story to completely believable gem, with Faye Dunaway demonstrating just what can be imbued in a character designed to be just as two-dimensional and vapid emotionally as Shorter.
Looking at it 45 years on, the themes of state control and pop puppetry retain a contemporary relevance which make this film an interesting watch. But I imagine you'll find yourself wishing it had been executed a little better...