On Friday, we were stunned to hear that Michel Gondry’s already-shot “Golden,” which tackled musician Pharrell Williams’ childhood, was never going to see the light of day. Universal shelved it. Gondry and Williams had apparently agreed with the decision.
It turns out that, just a few weeks ago, “Golden” had test screened in Pasadena, and the reception that came out of that screening did not match what Universal, Gondry and Williams are telling us. The audience in attendance seemed to love it. The end credits were met with roaring applause.
One person I spoke to called it “incredibly charming” and that Gondry’s direction was “very creative” with “well thought-out and executed musical numbers.” Bryan Tyree Henry, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph are said to be the standouts, with the attendee telling me that their performances were worthy of awards consideration.
Gondry’s film, about a modest young man who dreams of becoming a musician, has “big rotating sets, emotional solos and a big finale with crowds.” Everyone in attendance was “completely won over” by the film.
Yet, we’re supposed to believe that “Golden,” originally set for wide theatrical release on May 5, and under “unanimous agreement” from the producers and Gondry, “did not live up to its developed conceit.” Something’s off here. There’s much more to this story, and I’ll keep on digging.
“Golden” has a budget of $20M, and Universal can technically now turn it into a tax write off. The narrative framed via the trades was that this wasn’t a decision based on tax incentives, ala Zaslav, but rather due to the film being so mediocre that the creatives involved could not afford for it to be seen. I don’t believe it.
Gondry and Williams have been working on the project since 2022, and it was set up to be the filmmaker’s decade-long return to American filmmaking. He had originally described the project as being “very personal.”
In November, Pharrell offered a “first look” at “Golden” to Empire Magazine. This might end up being the only look we’ll get of the film.