15 minutes into this I thought it might be a mockumentary. Kind of like Spinal Tap with marbled mouth geriatrics telling the story. Here are some serious issues I had with this.
1. It has the premise that Brian was the creative force behind the Stones. Yet, it only gives 3 verbal, not musical examples. Sitar on Paint it Black. The Marimba on Under My Thumb. And slide guitar on No Expectations. He wrote none of them, so I fail to see how he could be more significant musically than Mick and Keith. In fact the movie states several times, Brian can not write music. It also implies Brian was jealous of Satisfaction. Exactly how was he the driving force of the band? I have heard this for years, but this film gave no answers, yet stated it multiple times.
2. Most of the women mentioned in the movie are ONLY mentioned by first name, as if the average viewer has any idea who they were. Some hold significant parts, especially Anita, whom I had to research to find out who she was.
3.There is no coherent concept in this film. It is an onslaught interviews of "who the F are these guys". It desperately needed a narrator to tie up all of these disparate, and sometimes irrelevant interviews of people that you have no idea how they fit into the story.
4. Not one mention of Charlie Watts' name in the whole 2 hours. Wyman mentioned once. Mick and Keith are portrayed as lesser talents. Coincidence that the golden era of the Stones commenced upon Brian's departure? They even describe Keith as not as much into drugs as Brian, then say his death was not substance abuse related.(?)
5. Most annoying. Harsh British and French accents speaking rapidly, whilst simultaneously putting writing on the screen of information that is relevant to the story, yet not what the speaker is saying. How is one to follow dialog and reading at the same time?
6. No rights to the music. If you can not procure rights to the musician you are documenting, maybe re-think the whole idea of making this project. And quit using the same 4 second video clips repeatedly through the whole movie.
This film left me frustrated. The subject is clearly worthy of a well made documentary. This is not it.
This film left me frustrated. The subject is clearly worthy of a well made documentary. This is not it.