After watching Pirate Radio I wanted to jump in the car and
either drive off the pier, radio ablaze in an attempt to start my own rebellious rock
station, or head to Best Buy to purchase the film. After an intense internal struggle I went
with option B. The film…was…SPECTACULAR! With an ensemble cast including Bill Nighy,
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Nick Frost, and many others, the film is a veritable
cornucopia of talent. With a dry, witty,
sarcastic tone throughout, the film gives you the same feeling as Monty Python
or Shaun of the Dead (another great Nick Frost film). The premise centers around a group of misfits
operating a pirate radio station on a boat off the coast of Great Britain in
1966. Much to the dismay of the British
authorities, the ship continuously broadcasts whatever music it likes, safe in
international waters. The film is to a
small extent a classic coming of age tale focusing on the experiences of Carl,
the seventeen year old godson of Quentin (Bill Nighy) who runs the station. Following around his favorite disc jockey,
The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Carl comes to realize that there are much
more important things in life than growing up.
A phenomenal soundtrack only helps to further catapult this film into my
top five favorite movies of all time.
Songs by The Kinks, The Who, The Beach Boys, Jeff Beck, Martha Reeves
and the Vandellas, and many others coupled with classic 60’s fashion help to
give the film a real sense of nostalgia and transport the viewer right back to
the flower power decade. Peace, love and rock
n’ roll…what else is there?
I was incredibly excited to see the new Hendrix biopic Jimi: All is By My Side despite the fact
that I’ve never really been a huge Jimi Hendrix fan. The film takes on the musicians early years,
from being discovered by Keith Richards girlfriend in a club to signing on with
his manager, ex- Animals bassist Chas Chandler.
Taking place entirely between being discovered and when he departs for
the Monterey Pop Festival, the film offers an intimate look at the
controversial artists early days as he navigates the music world, forms his
backing band The Experience, and straddles the stresses of new fame, success,
and love. Many have called the film
fictitious largely because of its portrayal of Hendrix’s relationship with
girlfriend Kathy Etchingham. The film
often shows Hendrix taking a violent turn and even brutally beating Etchingham
in a jealous rage. Etchingham insists
however that their relationship was wonderful and without such incidents. While the movie lacked any actual Hendrix
tunes because of issues with the estate, I felt it almost worked to the films
benefit. We get to view the myth that is
Jimi Hendrix before he was anything besides a great guitar player. His improvisational, bluesy guitar solos and
intricate fret work take center stage as Outkast’s Andre 3000 captures the
quiet, introverted man in his element long before “Purple Haze” graced the world’s
collective eardrums. Andre’s performance
stands out as the brightest part of the film.
Many of the scenes attempt to encapsulate a feeling showing only Hendrix
and his guitar alone in a room together as if there is nothing and no one else
in the world. We delve deep into his
psyche as the viewer experiences the struggle felt by Jimi as he tries to maintain
his opinions of the world and his music while attempting to break into the mainstream;
all without sacrificing his creative license.
Showcasing many early live performances, including one attended by Paul
McCartney and George Harrison right after the release of Sgt. Pepper in which
Hendrix decides to take a risk and play the title track, not two days after the
album dropped. It’s moments like this
that the film hits its stride and truly displays the charisma and genius of one
of rock’s greatest artists. History
tells us the rest.
