music and film - a combination hard to ignore at the nziff
pretty average reviews for this one but it's my era so in we go
full house - no surprise there really - a very accessible subject
it's a known that the man's estate refused permission to use his music
which would have to be a bit of a challenge when that is kind of central
not too worried about that here myself and more curious about the result
also - not generally a fan of musician biopics when a lookalike actor is used
usually just too much earnest effort and not enough similarity to take seriously
so a good way to go into this (any) film - low expectations - only way is up
opening scene is at a seedy club in new york where the man is a hired gun
a few flashes of his potential brilliance but the small audience is oblivious
except for one young lady - linda keith - girlfriend of one keith richards
she befriends jimi and then slowly builds his confidence and connections
it is her that brings in chas chandler to manage him and get him to london
andre benjamin (outkast) plays the lead role - playing homage to his hero
the few reviews read prior indicated that he absolutely nails the role
no argument from me - all i can judge is physical presence - spot on
others also well represented - clapton, richards, chandler and the band
mitch mitchell and noel redding looking believable especially on stage
not much of that though for obvious reasons - it's mostly downtime
so pretty well every scene imvolves hendrix interacting with someone
after getting set up by linda keith he has a new girlfriend kathy etchingham
working class girl and suggested by a few that over-played in the film
and more so a scene where hendrix lays into her with a telephone
a decision by the director to emphasise a jealous streak in hendrix
disquitening really - his gentle softly spoken pacifist nature undone
and falsely it seems - etchington herself critical of that scene in the film
saying it did not happen or at least violently - a shame it was there
but thankfully it's isolated - he seems sweet and articulate otherwise
one other scene seen dealing with typical london police - bobbies
they harrassing him for his dress sense, hair - and white girlfriend
maybe overstated but we are in the english 60s so quite believable
he also hangs out with michael x - civil rights activist based in london
hendrix's pacifist and inclusive attitudes challenged but well defended
'it's the music man - it doesn't matter what's the colour of your skin'
of course scenes of alcohol and drug abuse have to be included
that which lead to his eventual demise so an essential element
enough to suggest that they were present but not dominating
the film is very well paced and heads to a big, exciting climax
he has already blown clapton off stage in a small london club
so the word is out - a large crowd gather at the saville theatre
including brian epstein, george harrison and paul mccartney
the opening tune - a rousing rendition of just released sgt pepper
tore the house down - a defining moment in his career and this film
a clever way around the music ban - by now all but forgotten
another blues acoustic number played as the credits roll
yes - very impressive - one of the better biopics
the serious fans and critics may pull it apart
but for me - good thanks - enjoyed it...
