When You’re Strange
Posted by: admin in Film Reviews, tags: Berlinale, Jim Morrison, The Doors, Tom DiCillo, When You're StrangeTom DiCillo
When You’re Strange
Berlinale - 59. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin
Colosseum, Berlin
reviewed by Gary Levinson
When You’re Strange is a documentary about Jim Morrison and The Doors. Tom DiCillo’s film uses a variety of authentic sources: film made by Morrison himself, concert and studio recordings, news clips, and apparently much as-of-yet-unseen footage from the Courson (Pamela Courson was Morrison’s long-term girlfriend) and Morrison families’ private archives. The film includes no impersonations or dramatizations, though a certain license was taken with the mixing and juxtaposition of material (for example, during the opening sequence of Morrison driving across the Californian desert, we hear a news reporter announcing his death in Paris).
This documentary works well because of the inclusion of material from and about the other members of the Doors: Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Robby Krieger as well as producer Paul A. Rothchild, and engineer Bruce Botnick. Additionally, historical footage about the counter-culture movement, Vietnam war, civil-rights movement, and the Kennedys’ assassinations help put Morrison’s and the Doors’ actions into context.
Especially worthwhile was the film’s rare concert footage: from early recordings at the Whisky-a-Go-Go up to scenes from the last Doors concerts. The Doors’ ever-present music was also an important and welcome component of the film.
The only thing which made me a bit uncomfortable was the, at times, unblushing praise for Morrison and the Doors. It almost makes the documentary feel a bit like a promotional film. This is a film for Doors’ fans, and for us (I am a long time fan) the adulation’s not necessary. We already know that that Doors were the best thing since sliced bread.
In any case, it was hugely enthralling: I wished it would have gone on for longer. Just like Morrison’s and the Doors themselves, I guess. I’m looking forward to it coming out on DVD. Every Doors’ fan should have a copy of When You’re Strange at home.
Reviewed by Gary Levinson
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