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Movies & TV News & Features

Prima Donna

PRIMA DONNA (George Scott, U.S.). 90 minutes. May 28, 5:30 pm, Isabel Bader. Rating: NN


This underwhelming documentary about Rufus Wainwright’s foray into opera could’ve borrowed a bit of the pop star’s overweaning ambition.[rssbreak]

Director George Scott had a drama tic built-in story before he started filming: an egotistical and under-prepared pop star strives to mount his first opera before his ailing mother passes away – among other interesting subplots.

So why does this documentary default to a middle-of-the-road VH1-ready take on the Canadian singer/songwriter’s history?

Instead of detailing his journey from pop to opera, Prima Donna simply declares that Wainwright was born to write an opera, and that’s that. And he, of course, holds the same opinion. That doesn’t leave much to delve into.

One of the few high points is some hilarious footage of the always charismatic Wainwright performing a homemade Tosca as a child.

Note: the opera itself plays next month as part of Luminato.

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