The Doors (1991) / Tribute to Michael Madsen & Dead Jim

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IMDb Summary: Jim Morrison's life, from his LA film student days to his death in Paris. Val Kilmer delivers an uncanny portrayal, with vocals indistinguishable from Morrison's originals. It depicts Morrison's journey as the iconic 60s rock frontman.

Starring Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kyle MacLachlan, Frank Whaley, Robby Krieger, Kevin Dillon, Billy Idol, and Kathleen Quinlan.

Today it has been 54 years since we lost Jim Morrison. He was, of course, part of the 27 Club. No one here gets out alive, after all.

We actually watched this today as both a tribute to Dead Jim as he is fondly called in our home, but also as a call out to another actor that has been with us for as long as I can remember, who we lost today.

Michael Madsen has been a prolific actor. The first time I remember him was in Wargames, and Thelma & Louise, and later, of course, several Tarantino movies.

In The Doors, Michael played Tom Baker, a close friend of Jim Morrison as well as an actor in several films. Mr. Baker was in the Andy Warhol film I, a Man, as well as the classics Ghetto Freaks, and Wholly Moses, his final film role.

Michael Madsen originally auditioned for the role of Jim Morrison. He was later cast in the role of Tom Baker after Billy Idol switched from playing Baker to the smaller role of Cat due to being in a serious motorcycle accident. Madsen was excellent in the role and added a great feel to the role of Jim’s good friend.

The film itself, it was an Oliver Stone film, that is for sure. It had a lot of his “regulars” and had the colors that he so often used. Especially in the scene where Jim and the journalist Patricia Kennealy drank each other’s blood in a little bit of witchcraft and sex.

We noted in this viewing some things I can’t recall noting before, and some that bugged the heck out of me from the first time. The wigs. I mean, seriously. Where did they get them, Discount Wigs-R-Us? They look terrible! We also noted that the clothes are not just out of style (looking late 80’s, early 90’s instead of 60’s) but also that they often looked new and pressed rather than used and dirty like you would have expected of these young folks.

Val Kilmer was excellent as Jim Morrison. He, at times, embodied the man in a way that no one really expected. Kyle MacLachlan was great as well. I can say the rest of the band was fine, but no one was amazing. Meg Ryan was as cute as a button and was a great choice for Jim’s main woman Pamela.

I have not always loved the band The Doors but I do enjoy watching the film every 4-5 years. If nothing else, just stepping out of time and space every once in awhile is needed!

Break on through, to the other side, and Movie On!