"The Apple" is a futuristic musical (released in 1980, it takes place in 1994) that uses numerous rock and pop numbers to help tell the story of an innocent singing duo from Canada, Bibi (Catherine Mary Stewart, who actually is from the Great White North) and Alphie (George Gilmour), who fall prey to the machinations of evil music industry magnate Mr. Boogalow (Vladek Sheybal). He successfully drives a wedge in between them, and she becomes a pop music sensation for his company. But Alphie is not about to give up on the great love of his life.
"The Apple" was directed by Cannon Group head honcho Menahem Golan, one of his handful of filmmaking efforts, and written by same, based on a story by Kobi and Iris Recht (they were responsible for the songs). It's utter nonsense, yet it's so cheerfully ridiculous that it's hard to just dismiss it outright. It's nonsense with a purpose, as it seeks to satirize society. The viewer can hardly fail to notice the greed and ambition personified in Mr. Boogalow, as well as the way this movie puts an over the top spin on marketing: any person who doesn't get with the program and wear a "B.I.M. mark" (basically, a sticker) on their forehead will be ticketed by the authorities!
Add to that the very splashiness and gaudiness of this colourful entertainment, and you have something that fans might not describe as "good", per se, but definitely eye-catching and irresistibly goofy. Costumes, sets, and makeup are all hilarious. It took a long time before "The Apple" began to become something of a cult favourite, but now there are fans who readily admit to enjoying it. Presumably, some even do so unironically.
In her starring film debut, the lovely Ms. Stewart is radiant and appealing, and the rest of the cast is amusing to watch: Gilmour as the earnest Alphie, Joss Ackland pulling double duty as the hippie leader and the heavenly Mr. Topps, the unsubtly decorated Sheybal as the Devilish bad guy, Allan Love as his flashy son Dandi, Ray Shell as the effeminate Shake, gorgeous Grace Kennedy as the star performer Pandi, and Miriam Margolyes as the concerned landlady. George S. Clinton, who plays the American reporter Joe Pittman, was already a busy film composer; his credits in this capacity include "Mortal Kombat", the "Austin Powers" series, and "Wild Things".
At once campy and sincere, this is a truly cheesy and tacky entertainment that certainly leaves an impact, which is more than one can say for some movies.
Seven out of 10.
"The Apple" was directed by Cannon Group head honcho Menahem Golan, one of his handful of filmmaking efforts, and written by same, based on a story by Kobi and Iris Recht (they were responsible for the songs). It's utter nonsense, yet it's so cheerfully ridiculous that it's hard to just dismiss it outright. It's nonsense with a purpose, as it seeks to satirize society. The viewer can hardly fail to notice the greed and ambition personified in Mr. Boogalow, as well as the way this movie puts an over the top spin on marketing: any person who doesn't get with the program and wear a "B.I.M. mark" (basically, a sticker) on their forehead will be ticketed by the authorities!
Add to that the very splashiness and gaudiness of this colourful entertainment, and you have something that fans might not describe as "good", per se, but definitely eye-catching and irresistibly goofy. Costumes, sets, and makeup are all hilarious. It took a long time before "The Apple" began to become something of a cult favourite, but now there are fans who readily admit to enjoying it. Presumably, some even do so unironically.
In her starring film debut, the lovely Ms. Stewart is radiant and appealing, and the rest of the cast is amusing to watch: Gilmour as the earnest Alphie, Joss Ackland pulling double duty as the hippie leader and the heavenly Mr. Topps, the unsubtly decorated Sheybal as the Devilish bad guy, Allan Love as his flashy son Dandi, Ray Shell as the effeminate Shake, gorgeous Grace Kennedy as the star performer Pandi, and Miriam Margolyes as the concerned landlady. George S. Clinton, who plays the American reporter Joe Pittman, was already a busy film composer; his credits in this capacity include "Mortal Kombat", the "Austin Powers" series, and "Wild Things".
At once campy and sincere, this is a truly cheesy and tacky entertainment that certainly leaves an impact, which is more than one can say for some movies.
Seven out of 10.