By Robin Simmons
20 FEET FROM STARDOM
Morgan Neville’s fresh, unexpected, exuberant, poignant, richly detailed and music-filled documentary about the mostly unknown backup singers behind the biggest musical stars of our time is a rewarding, nay, inspiring, celebration of the power of the human voice to heal one’s soul. Beyond ego, beyond fame, money or anything else, this ultimately spiritual (in the best way) film offers a kind of transcendence rare in any genre of cinema.
Last Saturday’s screening at Cinemas Palme d’Or of Neville’s wonderful film was met with enthusiastic applause as the credits rolled. In a conversation with the director, he said he shot nearly 250 hours of original footage and the movie shaped itself in the editing by Douglas Bush, who was also present at the screening. I was mesmerized by the stories the beautiful, some now mature, black women told about their careers, hopes, desires and disappointments as backup singers. Bush’s terrific, precise editing allowed for nearly wall-to-wall music from vintage clips to a cappella riffs on camera. It’s no surprise the women mostly came to backup singing, usually at a very young age, from having learned to sing in church. More than merely learning to sing gospel, they understood how to release their astonishing vocals. These exceptional voices are so identifiable in certain songs that it’s impossible to imagine the song’s success without them. What was most surprising to me was that many of the singers were comfortable not being stars. There may have been some disappointment, but no bitterness. The pure joy of singing, of expressing their amazing gift, was a kind of satisfaction beyond anything that fame of superstardom could add.
I appreciated the revealing new interviews with Darlene Love, The Waters Family, Merry Clayton, Tata Vega, Lisa Fischer and Judith Hill among others. And the backseat but astute comments from producer Lou Adler and superstar musicians Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Mick Jagger, Bette Midler, Cheryl Crow and others add immensely to great pleasures of this terrific, uplifting, feel good film that sounds as good as it looks.
It makes no difference whether or not you like rock ‘n roll, this film’s compelling subject matter and crisp, pulsating soundtrack will remind you of the healing power of music and the extraordinary gift of song. It’s the best time you’ll likely have at the movies all summer. (Don’t take my word for it? As of this writing, the Rotten Tomatoes rating for 20 FEET FROM STARDOM is an amazing 98%)
Also now playing in theaters is the fun, rowdy, raunchy buddy cop comedy THE HEAT with a fearless Sandra Bullock and brave Melissa McCarthy. Yes, you will laugh out loud.
Opening this week but unseen, the western action comedy drama THE LONE RANGER. Review next week.
NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER:
SOLOMON KANE
It’s been well over three years since Robert E. Howard’s great pulp fiction creation, Captain Solomon Kane (what a great name!), the 16th century, demon fighting Puritan warrior premiered in a long-awaited film version. It’s a mystery to me why this nicely crafted and atmospheric film has remained below the radar in an extremely limited theatrical distribution. And why the long delay for a North American high definition home theater version? I must confess I love this movie that is markedly superior in concept and execution to a number of bigger budget action/comic book-to-film heroes I could mention (but won’t). Initially intended as the first of a trilogy, so far — and sadly — this title remains a stand-alone outing. Maybe it will catch fire on BD and some studio executive will be brave enough to put his name and reputation on the line and champion further film iterations of the dark adventures of Kane with charismatic star James Purfoy attached. Kane is skilled in the use of rapier, sword and gun and he has a great tailor. Mostly shot in the Czech Republic to great effect, the movie was financed by a cluster of French, British and Czech groups. Have they abandoned this film? I hope not, because if they have, well, big mistake. This movie deserves to be seen. An audience awaits if they can only find it. Michael J. Bassett directs with a clear eye for not only the world of the story but the redemptive theme of a former privateer now Puritan avenger who must rescue a girl in order to save his dark soul. Anchor Bay. Blu-ray.
SORCERER AND THE WHITE SNAKE
Director Ching Siu-Tung (aka “Tony Ching”) has a well-deserved reputation for big kung fu choreographed action. But Ching shows he also has a fine eye and hand for a literally fantastic Chinese fable about an herbalist who falls in love with a thousand-year-old White Snake disguised as a woman. Jet Li is just right as the sorcerer who discovers the woman’s true snake identity and fights to save poor herbalist’s soul. I like these world stories that play with ideas and images that are foreign to our culture. There’s a reason some stories continue to be told for thousands of years. It’s fun and sometimes rewarding to discern any residue of mythic meaning in our, cynical, post ironic world. Magnet. Blu-ray.
INTO THE WHITE
It’s April 17, 1940. World War II’s early days. After a chance aerial skirmish above the harsh Norwegian wilderness, a British and a German aircraft crash in a remote and frozen place. As luck – or fate – would have it, both crews seek shelter in the same isolated cabin. War has made these men mortal enemies, but they find their hatred and petty political differences wanes as they fight to survive, discovering mutual needs and unlikely friendships. But the war’s not over and the men cannot stay in their little cabin forever. Will the rules of war be reinstated? Rupert Grint is the only recognizable actor in this nice looking Norwegian production. Peter Naess directs from a screenplay he co-wrote. Magnolia. Blu-ray.
Comments? RobinESimmons@aol.com
