Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
From The Sundance, Berlin, Deauville, and San Sebastian Film Festivals to your living rooms;When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors.
I have always found any film or project concerning The Doors both interesting and problematic at the same time. The Doors and Jim Morrison remain shrouded in myths and legends almost forty years after their demise. Whenever someone pries into those mysteries it always ends up a little disappointing. Maybe its best to just let The Doors be and worship them from afar.
The latest entry into The Doors documentary sweepstakes was written and directed by Tom DiCillo with narration by Johnny Depp. This is a production of love for DiCillo. He considers their story the most compelling in American rock music. Sometimes, however, love does not allow a person to think and see clearly and so there are both positive and negative aspects to this film.
First the good news! The footage which is used is for the most part crystal clear and in many instances appears pristine. Whoever cleaned some of this archival material should be commended as it looks like it was shot recently. The story also makes sense and flows well while Depp’s narration is smooth and enhances its effect.
There is a lot of excellent and rare footage. The performance of “Light My Fire” on The Ed Sullivan Show, the Miami concert riot, the too short creation of “Wild Child” in the studio, and more help to create and make the story interesting. Bonus features include interviews with Admiral George Stephen Morrison and sister Anne Robin Morrison-Chewning. His father died during 2008 and this interview is all to short. He does not come across as the over bearing parent that history has portrayed him but rather appears caring and proud.
Now the not so good! The film could have made use of any number of interviews. There are still many people alive who could have added greatly to the story. There was also too much emphasis upon Morrison’s addiction problems. While part of the story, these problems are well known. There is also not enough accountability for the group's problems. Manzarek, Krieger, and Desmore were just as responsible as Morrison and these issues should have been explored.
Sort of in the middle were clips from Morrison’s film Hwy – An American Pastoral. While they were used judiciously, it left me wanting to see the entire film.
When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors,while by no means exhaustive, is interesting in many places. It is a treat for the eye and examines their career from some odd angles. However at the end I find myself wanting more.
