The film hangs on the flimsiest of plots, but the movie is really about Prince delivering the message in his music. And it is above all a frankly sentimental film about love -- not sex, fired by the spectacular music.

Purple Rain became a generational manifesto, while providing the largest megaphone yet for one of the greatest geniuses in pop music.

Even those who aren't Prince fans are likely to be captivated by its energy, enamored with its simple, often poignant storyline.

The drama is clunky, the acting is awful more often than not, and the casual sexism simmers throughout. But whenever Prince takes the stage, the picture irresistibly exudes sex, sweat, and swagger in equal measure.