Watch Sign o' the Times

Sign o' the Times is a concert film directed by Prince, released in 1987. The film showcases the music of Prince, as well as other talented musicians he collaborated with at the time. Filmed primarily during Prince's tour in support of his seminal album, Sign o' the Times, several performances in the movie were actually taped at Prince's Paisley Park studios.

The movie begins with Prince and his band rehearsing for their tour in an empty arena, where they practice harmonies, choreography, and instrumentals intricately. The movie is inter-folded with various concert performances, individual performances from band members, and vignettes. All of these come together to provide a beautiful storytelling of the musical world of Prince.

The concert portions of the movie are flawless and are really what make the movie so memorable. The performances are a combination of some of Prince's most famous tunes and new songs from his Sign o' the Times album. Prince's famous high-energy performances are breathtaking, with his seductive dance moves and rock star persona keeping the audience engaged for the entire show. Sheila E. and her band provide an electrifying drum battle, and her "Erotic City" duet with Prince is a true standout moment.

Prince performers with two backup singers, who are also used as choreographic elements. Each song is set with a different tone, mood, and tempo, with Prince and his bandmates seamlessly navigating their way through each changing one. What you will see is some of the most incredible musical performances ever captured on film.

The vignette sections of the film take a deep dive into Prince's psyche, showcasing moments of levity and profound tragedy. In one vignette, Prince himself narrates a story where he sees an unfortunate sign on a theatre marquee that read, "Closed for Repairs," a sign he states was meant for him. In another section, he serves as an enigma, dissolving into a shot of his empty shoes as he walks away.

There's also a section on the impact of AIDS in the '80s, Prince performing "Sign o' the Times" while the backdrop flashes news reel footage of the disease and its victims. There's also a wedding scene in which the bride and groom seem to live happily ever after. However, what we saw was not a perfect wedding, where the newlyweds have their share of issues to deal with.

In the final performance of the movie, Prince plays a grand piano to his song "The Cross," which transforms into a grand electric jam towards the end of the song. He seems to be in a trance for most of the performance, the energy and emotion spilling out of him and into the audience. The scene is powerful and emotional, with a deep meaning attached to the performance.

Overall, Sign o' the Times is a mesmerizing display of talent and showmanship. Prince showcases his incredible energy, performance, musical skill, and songwriting abilities throughout the movie. The film captures the essence of Prince in his prime, and the result is an unforgettable concert movie that continues to inspire new generations more than thirty years after its release.

Sign o' the Times is a 1987 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 72.