Decadence ** (1994, Joan Collins, Steven Berkoff, Christopher Biggins, Michael Winner, Marc Sinden) – Classic Movie Review 9649

The 1994 comedy drama Decadence is, as the poster says, ‘degenerate and disgusting’, but alas perhaps it is not also ‘deliciously funny’ as advertised, though it does have a certain oddball fascination, and its two stars are very impressive, game for anything. Steven Berkoff writes the screenplay and directs himself in this film version of his own Eighties stage verse play Decadence (1981), which is virtually a two-hander.

Joan Collins and Berkoff play an upper-class rough diamond Helen and a conceited married man Steve who enjoy a series of bizarre and, of course, decadent escapades from bedroom to private party to bars and restaurants. They also play the man’s nouveau riche wife Sybil and the private investigator Les who dabble under the sheets while plotting the downfall of the man and the ruling classes.

Decadence is performed and filmed with considerable vigour and brio, with an excellent Collins by no means upstaged in the company of such a showy and incisive player as Berkoff. But the material is very uncomfortable on film, its revue-style series of sketches only holding the attention in as much as they shock and disturb, which they certainly do.

Decadence gets laughs, but only from discomfort, not from pleasure, and at the screening members of the audience started drifting away from the cinema quite early on. Berkoff fails to rework the piece for the movies or the post-Margaret Thatcher audience.

Guest stars Christopher Biggins, Michael Winner, Marc Sinden are members of The Entourage.

It was filmed entirely in Luxembourg and released on 28 January 1994.

Helen Mirren turned down the dual role.

‘Decadence’, written by David Bowie, is on the soundtrack.

Berkoff recorded the play previously for theatrical release in 1984, performing with Linda Marlowe.

Decadence is directed by Steven Berkoff, runs 108 minutes, is made by Delux Productions, Black Forest Films and Vendetta, is released by Mayfair, is written by Steven Berkoff is shot by Denis Lenoir, is produced by Christoph Hahnheiser [Christoph Meyer-Wiel] and Lance W Reynolds, and is scored by Stewart Copeland, with Production Design by Simon Holland and Yolanda Sonnabend.

In 1996, Berkoff won a libel civil action against Sunday Times journalist Julie Burchill who had written that he was ‘hideously ugly’. The judge ruled for Berkoff, finding that Burchill’s actions ‘held him to ridicule and contempt.’

Joan Collins said she is proudest of her performances in TV’s Dynasty, Decadence and Quest for Love.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9649

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