First, the producers pull out. Then the music rights are refused. Then MTV pull out. A whole catalogue of catastrophes, in fact, which serve to make this one of Broomfield's most enjoyable films, even if you don't know your Teen Spirits from your Angry Chairs.
In fact, it's probably a bonus if you don't.
Anyone hoping for a revealing insight into Cobain's life and his relationship with his wife will be gravely disappointed. They might even curse, and demand refunds, possibly simultaneously. Fans of Broomfield, however, will be in heaven.
What Kurt And Courtney is ultimately concerned with is just how far exactly the freedom of the press stretches. One brilliant moment has Broomfield appearing at a ceremony hosted by free-speech campaigners, questioning why Courtney Love was guest of honour whilst she has been trying to keep him quiet for the past year.
Broomfield fancies himself as something of a martyr, certainly, but it makes for brilliantly entertaining viewing.
The version released on DVD is slightly different from the televised version broadcast by the BBC, in that it doesn't feature the performance of Smells Like Teen Spirit from Top Of The Pops, when Kurt adopted a intentionally awful Ian Curtis-esque baritone for his vocals. This is more than compensated for, however, in the extra material on the disc. We get a commentary, deleted scenes, and an epilogue of sorts concerning the press conferences at the Sundance festival, from which the film had to be withdrawn.
If you only see one film called Kurt And Courtney that has very little do with either, then make sure it's this one.
In case you wondering, Broomfield took a well deserved break after Kurt And Courtney, by making Biggie And Tupac, about how the FBI and Death Row Records all conspired to kill the two most popular hip-hop artists in America.
The Duke resides at Mondo Irlando.
NB - The extra features mentioned apply to the PAL Region 2 release.
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