Music
fans, especially those versed in the original British Invasion of the ’60s,
know two things about The Kinks. First, their main songwriter, Ray Davies, is
right up there with Lennon and McCartney in crafting some of the era’s most
endearing and creative pop of all time, and second, he can’t stand his brother
Dave. Their sibling rivalry recalls the Gallaghers and Oasis, except with more
animosity and more talent. So naturally, when thinking potential Kinks biopic,
the Davies’ dilemma has to be front and center.
Well now,
supposedly, it is. According to a report in Stereogum, Julien Temple (of ‘The
Great Rock and Roll Swindle,’ and ‘The Filth and the Fury’ fame) is prepping
such an overview, with his daughter Juno set to play the role of Ray’s ex-wife
Raza. British singer/songwriter Johnny Flynn will play the lead Kink and, as
for Dave, stage star George Mackay will bring him to cinematic life. The
producers have even managed to obtain the rights to the band’s back catalog and
there are reports that both Ray and his brother will work on the film together
(their decades-long acrimony ended a while back).
Still, for
a group that set the sonic landscape a-fire with such hits as ‘You Really Got
Me,” “All Day (and All of the Night),” and “Lola,” this is a major cultural
coup. Indeed, an act hasn’t really arrived as part of a medium’s legacy until
someone wants to tell their story. As for The Kinks themselves, they have
always been seen as a bit of a Ray Davies solo outlet. While Dave helped with
many of the songs, he’s been pushed to the background over his brother. Could
that be the reason for the interpersonal squabbling? The Kinks biopic will let
us know once it’s released. Production should begin sometime later this year.
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