A Skin Too Few: The Days of Nick Drake (2002) User Reviews

A Worthwhile Visit

[jthelin · 7/10 · 11 March 2008]

I have to disagree with whomever opined that this documentary will be of interest only to Nick Drake fans. The cinematography, for one, should be a draw, it being on the level of, oh, Girl With a Pearl Earring or Dead Poet's Society. Also, the director's use of manipulation - superimposing images that move over a single cityscape, for example - is worth seeing, several times. And some of the lingering shots of English countryside are stunning and evoke a strong sense of Drake's music, which often delved into setting, using it as a character sometimes.

I do agree with those who regretted there was not enough info/anecdotes from the persons "interviewed" in the film, outside older sister & actress, Gabrielle. Where was John Martyn (and/or Beverly Martyn), who affectionately called Nick "The Guv'nor?" And what of musicians who played on Drake's first two LPs? Some of them are still with us...like Richard Thompson or Danny Thompson or John Cale, whose gorgeous keyboards in "Northern Sky" help that performance SOAR. And certainly Joe Boyd must be able to talk more about Nick than was shown in the film.

Nonetheless, I am grateful for having seen it - a few days ago actually, on TV (one of the Starz channels, I believe). I hope I come across it again one of these moons. As a fan since 1971 - when the first U.S. compilation (of the 1st two LPs) came out on Island - I am pleased and moved to hear more from this unique songwriter, singer, and guitarist. Does anyone REALLY write, sing, and play like him?

an eloquent and soft spoken portrait and insight into the man and his music

[apocalypse_ciao · 9/10 · 11 March 2009]

I first heard the music of Nick Drake at a tenant's apartment my mom was renting out to in 1995. His name was Matt, he was a musician just like me, and he owned the Fruit Tree lp set. We were in his kitchen and right before he played Five Leaves Left he said, "This is Nick Drake, I think you'll like him" and he was absolutely right. As "Time Has told me" was playing, on that cold damp grey morning, I immediately took to liking the music a lot and empathizing with this somber voice, plucking an acoustic guitar, and just knew it was great immediately.

Now, I didn't rush out to get the Nick Drake records since they were so rare to find, this was pre Amazon.com and e-bay folks. But then a couple of years later Rykodisc re-issued the Fruit Tree lp's on cd. I immediately bought it and devoured the music and listened to it endlessly and intensely. His life and music, have never left me since.

I often found a kinship and solace in what he was expressing and began to feel less alone with how I felt at times. Especially in my late teens and early twenties, when I found myself always on the outside of society's pressures of conformity, and the desire to express so much to people that I had conflict with in my life, or to women that enticed me, and not being able to find the right words to say.

On the surface, Nick Drake's music seems to be the perfect accompaniment to college life, cafe sitting, and or people watching at first listen. But if you dig a little deeper, his music begins to embody that tongue-tied, outcast feeling, yet, in his words and music, there was always this acceptance of it, for better or worse, and the glimmer of hope that something better was just beyond the horizon. You start to hear in his words and music his wants, fears, struggles, and desires and you begin to identify with this extremely vulnerable yet strikingly poetic man. And the lyrics, chord structure, and playing, are just superb and top-notch, mixing folk, blues, jazz, and classical so effortlessly.

It's a shame no one filmed Drake on his short and ultimately unsuccessful college tour as his producer Joe Boyd described. But in a way, that just adds to the mystique surrounding his life and music. I love the part where the producers behind Bryter Layter deconstruct "At the Chime of a City Clock" and one of them starts to bob their head to the jazzy groove of the song. The tape of Molly Drake, Nick's mother, played by his sister Gabrielle, provides a much needed insight into Nick's inspiration musically as well.

As a Nick Drake fan, it would've been great to hear more from Joe Boyd about what the recording of the song "Which Will" was like or at least to have used it in the film which I think was his best song. But all of his songs are great. It would've also been nice to hear from Richard Thompson from Fairport Convention who played lead guitar on Nick's first two records and hear his viewpoint on the myth surrounding Drake's life and music and what it was like to work with him in the studio.

It's so sad when his mother speaks about how he felt he had failed to reach the people he wanted to speak to with his music and that he couldn't write any more songs. It's just so completely the opposite to me because he succeeded tremendously in connecting his own trials and tribulations with other people's struggles and why people who discover his music pass the message of his life and music to others, because it means that much.

This review is more than just a review of a film of a folk singer. It's an homage to Nick Drake because his music has helped me and probably many others, young and old, with their own internal demons. If you haven't listened to Nick Drake, please do so and watch this documentary. If you're already a fan you won't be disappointed.

Fame is but a fruit tree..........................

[queenofthehighway2 · 9/10 · 10 January 2005]

I saw this about 3 years ago and was fortunate enough to be at a screening afterwards which there was a question and answer session with the director. The film itself is beautifully shot with nice sweeping camera shots over the English countryside which accurately evoke the organic nature of Nick Drake's music. The only moving images of Nick Drake as a child playing on a beach is a treat for hardcore fans like myself. From what the director said this was not someone jumping on the bandwagon of posthumous hype that has been created since what is regarded by many as the corporate violation of drake's music. The director crafted this documentary in such a way that it satisfies the itching curiosity of fans wishing to get closer to this mysterious folk icon at the same time as it stands alone as intelligent piece of film-making.

Superb Biography of the Late Great Nick Drake

[classic-19 · 10/10 · 18 May 2006]

The Genius of Artistry of this long gone Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter has definitely made an incredible impact on my inner self. Both as a person, as well as a musician.

This movie documents the 26 short years of Nick's life (1948-1974), focusing on his brilliant music, as well as the talented musical and technical people who helped shape his sound, in London in the late 60's & early 70's, as well as his sister Gabrielle, and haunting audio segments of both his late parents.

Unfortunately, Nick was not of his time, and was never really appreciated during his oh so short time here. But his 3 albums, Five Leaves Left, Bryter Later & Pink Moon, continues to indoctrinate new fans day after day, being moved by the songs that were written almost 40 years ago. Amazing !!! Now if only the money people, controlling this film, could come to terms, thousands more would be able to feel, what this incredible musician had to say.....

"When the Day is Done, Hope So Much, Your Race Will be All Run."

valuable glimpses for ND fans!!

[steventpodgorski · 8/10 · 27 July 2005]

****************

very well done, moody documentary. It showed one time only in Boston, a couple of years ago.. felt lucky to go. My questions 1) is it available anywhere in the world on DVD or VHS. Netflix has it in there catalog, but does not actually carry it. 2)the movie also features the music of Nicks mother, Molly Drake. The tapes they played were extremely haunting...absolutely beautiful.. does anyone out there know if her music is available. as far as the film..good luck trying to see it.... there isn't much i can say about ND or his life that his sister, friends, and colleagues can't....

A strikingly well made tribute

[runamokprods · 25 May 2013]

A sad, lovely and poetic (if brief at 48 minutes) look at the life and music of singer-songwriter Nick Drake.

As someone who respects Drake's work, but doesn't know it the way a real fan would, I found the documentary a bit opaque at times. I suspect it will have more impact to those already intimate with Drake's art.

But the film was still strikingly visual, artistic and subtle compared to most retrospective pieces about artists, while still giving a surprising amount of insight into both Drake's battles with depression, and his creative process. It made me determined to sit down and really listen to Drake's music, which is, in some ways, the best compliment you can pay a film like this.

This film should be made available on VHS or DVD!

[stueygill · 8/10 · 26 February 2002]

The film is really a bunch of relevant imagery and interviews put to Nick Drakes music. This, I think, was the best approach in tackling the simple and sad story of this ever growing in popularity singer/song-writer.

A Skin Too Few ends up looking like part documentary and part promotional video, with some whole songs put into context with footage of Cambridge for 'Five Leaves Left' period and the streets of London for 'Bryter Layter'.

This is not an in depth source of information, rather a gentle story - told mainly by the music - in a way that will only add to the mystery of why Nick Drakes music seems to genuinely touch so many people.

Sight and sound integrally woven the precious times of Nick Drake's life on earth of 26 years

[ruby_fff · 8/10 · 2 March 2010]

"A Skin Too Few: The Days of Nick Drake" (2000) The documentary may be 48 minutes, but it's a full, rich tapestry intricately weaving together the story of Nick Drake. Visually painterly and fulfilling in sound delivery with Nick's singing and music flowing into the natural nature sounds of birds and leaves rustling, pausing quiet moments looking out of the window from Nick's Room, appreciating the sunlight coming through the round window, lingering over the yonder meadows, the oak tree and shadows, the train tracks and the train eventually moving. All poetically put together by Dutch filmmaker Jeroen Berkvens who directed the film, with photography by Vladas Naudzius, sound by Eddy De Cloe, and editing by Stefan Kamp. Truly a beautiful tribute to British musician, singer-songwriter Nicholas Rodney 'Nick' Drake, his precious short time on earth of 26 years.

The storytelling is authentically enhanced by the family movie footage of Nick's childhood in Burma 1948 to 1952, his school years in England 1952 to 1967, his Cambridge years 1967 to 1969, with sharing of audio taped singing of Molly Drake, Nick's Mom, during the animated interviews of Gabrielle Drake, Nick's sister, who warmly recounted her memories and special moments-anecdotes of her younger brother, including excerpt reading of Nick's letters. Recalling Nick's London City years 1969 to 1971: interview segments with Joe Boyd, record producer of Nick's first two albums, "Five Leaves Left" 1969 and "Bryter Layter" 1970; Robert Kirby who did Nick's album arrangements, and John Wood the sound engineer for Nick's album recordings; Paul Weller, a fellow musician; Brian Wells, the college friend who remembered their Cambridge days and pot smoking tales with Nick; and Keith Morris, a photographer friend. We also get to hear voices of Nick's Dad and Mom speaking about their son, commenting on life with Nick at school and at home, and coping with his depression periods: Nick's Home Again years 1971 to 1974.

The four lines of verse at the start of the film are the first four lines of lyrics in "Hazey Jane 1" from "Bryter Layter" album: "Do you curse where you come from, Do you swear in the night, Will it mean much to you, If I treat you right." Followed by ten of Nick's songs-lyric sections aptly featured, flowing into the strands of various phases of Nick's life along with the image and scenes on screen: Way to Blue; Introduction; Hazey Jane 1; River Man; At the Chime of a City Clock; Day Is Done; Know; Hanging On a Star; From the Morning; Northern Sky, plus the rare audio recording of a song written and sung by his Mom, Molly Drake: How Wild the Wind Blows.

This is a well-made, worthwhile documentary - whether you've heard of Nick Drake and his songs, guitar music or not, appreciation will develop and grow. There are many resource info online, from 'wikipedia' Nick Drake page - External Links section: "The Nick Drake Files" is a very good site ("algonet.se/~iguana/DRAKE/DRAKE.html") to learn more about Nick Drake from A to Z, lyrics and interviews. The official site at "nickdrakefilm.com" provides more on this film and DVD* availability - there are Nick's room layout, family photos, production-crew details and soundtrack list, and the Wall imagery. (* Noticed "Fruit Tree" box set now includes 4 discs, fourth being the DVD of this film, besides Nick Drake's first three albums re-released.) I was fortunate to catch this film on SF cable Sundance Channel February 27th, repeated on 28th, 2009.

Spare, Simple and Atmospheric - Just Like the Music Itself

[Screen_O_Genic · 8/10 · 12 June 2022]

A mood ridden and visually enhanced documentary on the troubled and fascinating Singer-Songwriter, "A Skin Too Few: The Days of Nick Drake" is a quiet and subtle tribute to the musical enigma. Chronicling Nick Drake's earliest years in the Far East to his adolescence and manhood with his musical career in Britain the film eschews the loud narrative-driven style of music documentaries in favor of a gentle and scenic view. Interviews with Drake's family and musical associates including a brief blurb by Paul Weller coupled with images and footage picture the image of a shy and quiet man who never found his place in society and the world which would eventually take its toll in tragedy. The man's stirring music serves as a seamless soundtrack. Not the definitive Drake documentary by any means but a fine and fitting tribute to a budding talent whose promise may have ended too soon. A good view for fans and music enthusiasts alike.

Strictly for fans

[miguelmoura · 5/10 · 26 August 2005]

Jeroen Berkven's 2000 documentary assumes right from the start an elitist approach, one that implies that the audience is truly knowledgeable about the world of Nick Drake and the importance of his music to a new generation of artists; as a result, the film tends to be sparse and elliptic: it's undoubtedly a labour of love, filled with autumnal, bucolic sequences that lead nowhere, except to serve Drake's melodies and his soft, broken voice that gained him admiration since his premature death in 1974. Gabrielle Drake (Nick's sister as an interviewee) is the only one that keep things going (reading old letters, painfully remembering her brother's departure), while the other guests simply resume all that has been said and wrote about Nick. This is a documentary for fans only, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else. At the end, while his grave is solemnly shot and the only existing footage of Nick as a child is served to feed our (morbid) curiosity, there's a sense of vagueness, still intact after the very first few minutes of screening. It lacks profoundity, as if the director was expecting that Nick's tortured persona was enough to fill in the silence and empty sadness that is carefully built along the documentary, a silence and a sadness that he might thought of as respect or deference to a soul that almost no one cherished as a musician.

a brief opinion

[Mr Lebowski · 25 September 2002]

Landscapes that collapse into the music of Nick Drake. This film is not a bleak homage to the complexity of Nick, but rather a celebration of his simplicity. If you, like me, love his music, then the high point will be the final moments of the film where we find old footage of Nick as a toddler.You will quickly find yourself reflecting back a knowing smile.

I saw it written and I saw it say / Pink moon is on its way...

[FeverDog · 7 June 2002]

So I'm perusing the box office charts today (6/7/02) in Variety, and I notice that THE DAYS OF NICK DRAKE is #94 on the list. I have been waiting to see this doc since I first heard about it two years ago, and now Variety states it's playing one (1) screen. Where is this phantom theatre? I'd have sniffed it out if it was here in New York, so I'm guessing El Lay is the lucky town.

In any case, I've loved Nick Drake's music for years, and I won't describe the hissy-fit I had when I first saw that Volkswagon commercial. The protective music geek in me felt violated by corporate America's co-opting of 'Pink Moon,' a blissful two minutes of aural sublimity. On the other hand, several readings of Nick's biography help me accept that he had always wanted mainstream success and not be relegated to a cult act. I'm just glad that I had been cherishing his music ("Bryter Layter" is my favorite album of his) for years beforehand, and that his music had finally gotten some recognition.

Anyway, it's obvious that I haven't seen this film, so perhaps I shouldn't be posting on IMDb about it. Hopefully it will soon be released on DVD so we poor shlubs not anywhere near that random theatre can see it.

A fine little film.

[jon2 · 3 March 2001]

As a longtime(pre-Volkswagen ad)Drake fan, it's a real pleasure to see such a fine film made about his short life and the lasting impact of his music. A mixture of atmospheric scenes set Drake songs, interviews with his friends and family and even childhood footage of Nick himself, it's well worth checking out if you have even a passing interest. I understand that there are plans to release it on video sometime during 2001, which would be great and serve as an excellent introduction to world of Nick Drake.