Our history of rock-stars-turned-movie-actors goes back a long time, but one highlight has to be Prince’s performance in his bizarre 1984 drama, Purple Rain. Though chock full of laughably weird moments—critics dismissed the movie as “overlong,” “facile,” and a “letdown”—the film’s soundtrack went on to become a huge international success. Prince’s power ballad of the same name, “Purple Rain,” brims with electric energy from his guitar, a ringing chorus, and gospel-infused harmony.
