Sid And Nancy (DVD 2001)

Love Kills.

Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb execute performances that are 'nothing short of phenomenal' (Los Angeles Times) as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his unforgettable junkie girlfriend - social misfits who literally love each other to death. In this 'riveting biography of burnt-out icons (The Washington Post), award-winning writer/director Alex Cox creates 'a great film' ('Siskel & Ebert') about the destructive lives of two 1970s punk legends.

Their love affair is one of pure devotion. Sid falls hard for groupie Nancy Spungen, who seduces him with her affection - and addiction to heroin. Their inseparable bond - to each other and their drugs - eventually corrodes the band, sending Sid and Nancy down a dark road of despair. Out of money, hope and options, the dependent two hit rock bottom while living in squalor at New York's infamous Chelsea Hotel. But their journey takes yet another tragic turn as they face their final curtain - and attempt to fulfill their destiny of going out in a blaze of glory.

Based largely on the doomed relationship between Sex Pistol Sid Vicious (Gary Oldman) and his American girlfriend Nancy Spungeon (Chloe Webb) this film folows their relationship from when they met to their tragic ends. There are however, alot of factual errors which might well annoy knowledgable Punk/Pistols fans.

We see the couple meet, fall in love only to be doomed by their own destructive lifestyles and those around them. In some ways it glamorizes drug use as the heroin addiction of Sid and Nancy was a huge part of their relationship and careers - we see alot of the drug use going on.

The portrayal of Sid's friend and ex-colleague Johnny Rotten is somewhat abrasive and one-dimensional. Indeed, Lydon himself found the film offensive, believing that the film's fantastic climax romanticized drug abuse, and dismissed Alex Cox (director) as an Oxford graduate who made the film because he missed out on the punk years and criticised Cox for not consulting him on the script.

What is outstanding in the film are the performances of Oldman and Webb. They're intense, powerful, and believable. The extensive research Oldman did into his character is very much in evidence.

Even if you have no interest in Punk or the central players in the sub culture this film will still be recommended just for the intensity of this doomed relationship. There's also a great soundtrack too featuring Joe Strummer and The Pogues.