More than just a concert film, Katy Perry: Part of Me takes a look at Katy Perry’s life on and off stage.
I have to admit; Katy Perry’s poptastic music is one of my guilty pleasures. I also admire the persona she has created that holds on to the wonder in life. I know her music is not exactly high brow, but all credit to her; she has worked very hard and become very successful. If you think Katy Perry is all that is wrong with contemporary pop music, however, then it is probably better to steer clear of this particular movie.
It is interesting that Katy Perry decided to lay some of her life bare on screen, rather than just following in the footsteps of Justin Bieber and The Jonas Brothers and making a concert movie. Yes, there is footage of her performances in there, but the film also looks back at Katy’s life so far, her relationships with her family, her early foray into music and dissects her life on tour. To an extent.
The movie was filmed during Perry’s mammoth California Dreams Tour of 2011, and is filled with interviews from the people around the singer, as well as Perry herself, which is all designed to give the viewer an idea of the person behind the persona. There is little doubt that Perry is a charismatic person, and her enthusiasm and honesty shine through the screen. The problem with this is that, as the title suggests, the audience is only allowed to see a part of Katy Perry. Yes, we see her without makeup, setting up the tour, goofing around and at one point we are even allowed to see her devastation at the news that her marriage is over, but this is all carefully framed to show the singer in the best light possible. So while this is a glimpse at the life of Katy Perry and this peek is well rounded out by interviews and archive footage, it really is only a part of her.
The concert scenes are a lot of fun. It is obvious that Perry is not the greatest dancer in the world, but she puts a lot of energy and commitment into her performances, and the style of the show fits in with the candied persona she has created. There is a lot to see and sing along with, and fans are sure to be delighted.
In all, Katy Perry: Part of Me is a movie for the die hard fans and the mildly curious. The film is filled with information, and gives a glimpse into the singer’s past and the world that Perry has built for herself. Perry comes across as warm, caring and sweet, and her concert sequences are a lot of fun. There is the feeling, however, that a lot has been left out of the film, although Russell Brand is not one of those things. Fans will love it, the curious may be intrigued, haters will hate.
Rating: 2/5
