The Rainbow Album

Author(s): Jason
Location: New York

“The Rainbow Album”

Directed By: Milos Forman
Written By: Milos Forman
Music By: Craig Armstrong

Genre: Musical

Principal Cast:

Kevin White- Patrick Wilson
Brian Spencer- Jude Law
David Reid- Philip Seymour Hoffman
Diane White- Susan Sarandon
Young Kevin White- Jesse McCartney

Tagline: “Judgments should be made according to music’s quality, right?"

Synopsis: All his life, Kevin White has dreamed of becoming a Broadway star. It’s 1985 and at age 16, he moves to New York with his mother to pursue his acting and singing career. After gaining small roles in Broadway productions over the next 8 years, Kevin thinks he’s finally ready to make his mark as one of Broadway’s biggest leading stars. At the audition for his next role, the casting director advises Kevin to pursue a singing career in classical, blues, and pop music instead of a career on Broadway. Kevin is unsure of what to do but agrees to go to the audition the casting director has set up for him with a record label. Brian Spencer is the producer that Kevin auditions for and he immediately signs him to the label. Over the next two years, they work together on Kevin’s upcoming debut album and become romantically involved. However, Kevin calls off their relationship and fires Brian two months before the release of his album because he discovered that Brian has given him AIDS. Kevin decides to keep his head up high but to also keep this a secret, along with his sexual orientation, because he doesn’t want it to affect his career.

Kevin’s album comes out two months later and it’s a huge hit. He quickly gains wide popularity, fame, and fortune. His album and singles go straight to the top of the charts and his career is off to an amazing start. Four months after the launch of his music career, Brian announces to the public that Kevin is homosexual and has AIDS. After a medical test confirms that he has AIDS, Kevin’s fans turn against him, he is released from his record label, and his career quickly crumbles. However, Kevin isn’t willing to give up. He decides to fight for his music and becomes an active speaker against homophobia and AIDS-phobia. He also brings his record label to court, saying that they had no right to dismiss him. Although he is fighting an uphill battle, he is determined to regain the respect he deserves from his former record label, fans, and America.

What the press would say:

The combination of music and cinema is at its finest in this new film by Milos Forman. Patrick Wilson stars as Kevin White, a new musical sensation who’s career begins to fall apart after the public learns that he is homosexual and has AIDS. Wilson’s fresh and remarkable voice matches up perfectly to his talented acting. He wonderfully demonstrates White’s struggles with romance, the public, and his record label. Jude Law portrays the role of Brian Spencer, White’s original producer and lover. He is responsible for giving Wilson’s character AIDS as well as for revealing to the public White’s secrets. Law fantastically balances Spencer’s admiration and hatred toward White. As head of White’s record label, Philip Seymour Hoffman magnificently portrays the cruel and intolerant man responsible for releasing White from the label. Susan Sarandon gives a solid performance as Diane White, Kevin’s mom, and Jesse McCartney makes his mark as young Kevin White. This film’s powerful and inspirational message is truly remarkable, making “The Rainbow Album” one of the best pictures of the year!

Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture
Best Director: Milos Forman
Best Actor: Patrick Wilson
Best Supporting Actor: Jude Law
Best Supporting Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Supporting Actress: Susan Sarandon
Best Original Screenplay: Milos Forman
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Original Song
Best Original Score
Best Sound Mixing