Movie Review: ‘Something Beautiful: Miley Cyrus’

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Review by James Lindorf

Miley Cyrus is having a couple of big weeks. Columbia Records released “Something Beautiful,” her 9th studio album, on May 30th, and she premiered her companion Visual Album at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival on June 6th. Now, on June 12th, for one night only, audiences around the country will have the opportunity to experience the “one-of-a-kind pop opera” for themselves. Don’t fret if you are an international fan of Miley. Thanks to Trafalgar Releasing and Sony Music Vision, you will get your turn on June 27th.

Musicals, like “The Jazz Singer, have been around since the 1920’s and movies centered around a specific album or band since at least 1964’s “A Hard Day’s Night,” but Visual Albums are a creation of the last 20 years. As with any new form of art it is still finding its legs and its accepted definition. They seem to come in two varieties: either as a film incorporating all of the songs on the album into one unified vision, and the other features a collection of individual music videos sharing some connective element. “Something Beautiful” falls solidly in that second camp, which can be good or bad depending on how much you like the current installment. If you are not a fan, wait 3 minutes, but if you are, you will hate to see it end.

Many people came together to bring the project to life, but none more vital than Cyrus herself. “Something Beautiful,” the album, features 13 original tracks with Cyrus as the primary writer and a co-executive producer with Shawn Everett. Continuing that trend, she also helped produce the film with XYZ Films and Panos Cosmatos (Mandy, Beyond The Black Rainbow) in collaboration with Sony Music Vision, Columbia Records, and Live Nation. As if that wasn’t enough, Cyrus made her directorial debut, working with Jacob Bixenman and Brendan Walter. With the music sorted, the trio of directors worked with cinematographer Benoît Debi to bring each of the 13 visions to life.

As with any anthology, there will be hits and misses; not everything can be a 10 or a 1. The project sometimes celebrates the 1980s in tone and outfits reminiscent of Cher and the Childlike Empress from “The Neverending Story.” There is plenty of big hair and over-the-top fashion. During the “Walk of Fame,” which takes place on an empty Hollywood Boulevard, Cyrus looks like any number of victims from last year’s “MaXXXine.” Then the track changes, and the film morphs into something modern, avant-garde, and occasionally atonal. My favorite song and visual segment is “Easy Lover.” It is the most poppy, easily digestible song. I like the fun of her getting her makeup done and strutting onto a Hollywood backlot in fuzzy chaps. Paying homage to the Nashville and Montana roots of her fame while reminding us there is always a bit of performance to everything she is showing us.

“Something Beautiful” is not a typical narrative project; it is less about storytelling and more about Cyrus baring herself to the audience. It has more in common with a documentary than with “Purple Rain.” Cyrus spent 55 minutes exploring and embracing her sexuality and her experiences with love and stardom. The packaging may not appeal to wide audiences but the bravery to lay yourself bare has to be admired. Anyone looking for a traditional experience, “Something Beautiful,” will rate it no more than a 2. But as a piece of educational performance art full of strutting to catwalk bangers, hairography, and Cyrus’ rich voice, it comes at a 4 out of 5.

COMING TO THEATERS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY JUNE 12 AND INTERNATIONAL CINEMAS JUNE 27 FOLLOWING THE FILM’S PREMIERE OUT OF TRIBECA FESTIVAL

TICKETS GO ON SALE MAY 22
www.MileyCyrusSomethingBeautiful.com