Purple Rain

Purple Rain is a 1984 movie starring Prince. He plays The Kid, lead singer for Minneapolis rock band The Revolution, and we see him navigate his relationship with the singer Apollonia, deal with family trouble, and compete against rival band The Time.

The soundtrack went on to become a massive pop hit.

Purple Rain was named to the National Film Registry in 2019.

A sequel, Graffiti Bridge, was released in 1990. Most fans like to pretend it never happened.

Tropes used in Purple Rain include:
  • Autobiographical Role: At any rate, Prince is playing an Author Avatar in a film Inspired By his own life story to that point.
  • Camp
  • Creator Breakdown: The Kid goes through a lot of this.
  • Cool Bike: The Kid tools around on a modded 400A Honda Automatic. As the page image indicates, it certainly fulfills the "cool" part.
  • The Danza: Everyone except The Kid and his mother and father.
  • The Eighties
  • Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": The Kid. Explained (kinda-sorta), in that his father was said to be a talented local musician who was never able to crack the big time, and The Kid is viewed as headed down the same path.
  • Fan Service: Apollonia sure spends a lot of time underdressed, or in skin-tight leather, or tiny dresses....
  • Jerkass: The Kid. Let's see: he treats his band like crap, acts like an asshole to his love interest and generally prances around being an Insufferable Genius. Small wonder people prefer the soundtrack CD...
  • Jukebox Musical
  • Kick the Dog: Morris's "How's the family?" after The Kid's father tries to kill himself.
    • Even Morris felt remorseful moments after saying that.
  • Moment Killer: "I'm joining Morris' group."
  • Non-Actor Vehicle
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: Prince's character is known as The Kid.
  • Shallow Love Interest: Apollonia.
  • So Bad It's Good
  • Springtime for Hitler: Meta-example. The Kid playing "Darling Nikki" is supposed to be a self-indulgent disaster that leaves the audience cold. Editing magic was needed because the extras were going crazy for it.
  • Television Geography: A cab ride from the Greyhound Station to the First Avenue nightclub comes to $37.75, when in reality they're across the street from each other. Particularly weird considering Prince, his band members and the director were Minneapolitans.
    • Probably an inside joke.
  • Twin Cities
  • Who's on First?: "The password is what?"
  • Yeah! Shot: The film ends with the Kid climbing atop a row of speakers and dramatically looking over his shoulder at the audience as the screen freezes.

"TAKE ME AWAY!"

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