The Reel Review
“Something Beautiful,” the latest album from pop star Miley Cyrus that speaks about love, heartache and self-discovery, gets the big screen treatment in this 55-minute film that Cyrus says combines fashion, music and fantasy for the album’s 13 tracks.
If you like Cyrus’ latest album (we do) then you will absolutely love this visually and musically stunning pop opera. It’s s a fun, soulful assault on the senses, with Cyrus never looking better as she sports various sexy looks in her music videos. She even enlists actress/writer Brittany Howard (Joy, Silver Linings Playbook) on “Walk of Fame” and supermodel Naomi Campbell in her song “Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved.”
While nearly all of the tracks are good, the artsy and boundary-pushing video treatments of some songs outshine others – “Walk of Fame” in particular, featuring Cyrus dancing alone along the filthy, iconic Hollywood landmark late at night, “Golden Burning Sun” and the aptly titled “End of the World” are standouts. Reminiscent of Grace Jones’ iconic 1985 “Slave to the Rhythm” music video, Something Beautiful is a memorable standout in its own right.
REEL FACTS
• After spending most of the film’s budget on vintage couture fashions (the Mugler fashion house shipment of archival gowns was the largest ever sent to one person), Miley Cyrus and the production team filmed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame very late at night without a permit. Cyrus ended up with a severe knee infection from the filthy sidewalk that landed her in the ICU.
• In “Walk of Fame,” Miley crawls around Arnold Schwarzenegger’s star, likely a nod to her own dating history with his son Patrick from 2014 through to 2015. Although she identifies as gender fluid, the outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate was married to Liam Hemsworth from 2018 to 2020 and is currently dating musician Maxx Morando, who appears in the film.
• Grace Jones was also the songwriter of her hit 1985 song “Slave to the Rhythm.” The video was directed by Jean-Paul Goude, featuring narration from actor Ian McShane and clips from prior Grace Jones videos and commercials.
Video & Photo
