DVD Review: When You’re Strange
by Warren Curry
6/28/2010
Tom DiCillo’s “When You’re Strange” is subtitled “A Film About the Doors,” which is true, though it could more accurately be called “A Film about Jim Morrison.” Morrison, of course, was the band’s leader and one of the most (in)famous rock stars in music history. It’s been nearly 40 years since his death, almost 20 years since Oliver Stone’s biopic about The Doors was released (which helped renew mass interest in the band) and to this day Morrison stands as a larger than life figure.
“When You’re Strange” tells The Doors’ story exclusively via archival footage and narration from none other than Johnny Depp. DiCillo, who’s never really lived up to the promise of his 1995 comedy “Living in Oblivion,” does a serviceable job keeping the narrative in motion and the timeline orderly, but the film doesn’t reveal much information that isn’t already common knowledge to Doors’ fans. A good deal of the footage is surprisingly vibrant and intriguing — especially the opening and closing shots of Morrison driving through the desert and on a Los Angeles freeway, taken from a well preserved experimental film called “HWY” — but at times it feels that DiCillo was more a reactive supervisor on this project than its actual director.
As much as Oliver Stone may have been a bit liberal with the facts in his 1991 film, he did present a fairly complete overview of the band’s history. And given all the books and articles that have been written about The Doors, who also consisted of guitar player Robby Krieger, drummer John Densmore and keyboardist Ray Manzarek, it’s not a story that one can easily shed new light on. I wouldn’t go so far to call this film unnecessary — no definitive documentary existed about The Doors, and they are certainly deserving of one — yet I’m not sure I’d argue with anyone who’d describe it as a novelty piece.
DiCillo, however, deserves credit for preventing the film from fawning too much over its subject. His decision to forego talking heads interviews is an admirable one, though it would have been nice to get some different perspectives on the band. While it’s debatable if Morrison was more a musical genius or deftly calculating showman, the film makes it clear that he was an egomaniac (who even had a surly drunk alter ego known as Jimbo). He was perhaps the most overtly sexual performer rock music had seen until that time, which was partly responsible for his arrest and conviction on indecent exposure charges for a 1969 concert they played in Miami (he died before serving jail time). There was no evidence to substantiate the charge, but it’s safe to say his reputation preceded him.
Over the course of the band’s six-year existence with Morrison, they recorded six hugely successful albums, though during the 2nd half of their career, the vocalist flirted with the idea of becoming a full time poet. Watching the mayhem Morrison was capable of inciting during live performances makes one understand that music played a far more significant cultural role in the ’60s than it does now. It also makes one understand that his death at the age of 27 in 1971 was a foregone conclusion given his self-destructive nature and fondness for substance abuse.
DiCillo also strongly ties The Doors tumultuous existence to the chaotic decade that spawned them. No American band connected with the countercultural youth movement as intensely as they did, which is perhaps the key reason their music still resonates today and also why they seem like a symbol from an era long since past. The Doors were truly a product of their time…not to mention one of the most important rock bands of the 20th century.
DVD Comments:
The DVD contains only one bonus feature, but it’s a strong one — an interview with Morrison’s sister Ann and his father Admiral George S. Morrison (who passed away in 2008). As we learn in the film, Jim had little contact with his father after he left home, and George was not approving of his son’s career choice. In fact, he admits to not really having heard The Doors’ music and was only vaguely aware of the extent of their popularity. He knows a few song titles, but that’s about all. It’s tough to imagine that the man could have produced a more polar opposite offspring.
Considering this film is made up entirely of footage shot several decades ago, it looks dazzling. The color footage really sparkles, and what we see of the aforementioned “HWY” looks pretty creepy, which I mean as a compliment. The narration, archival audio and music all sound sharp.
Also impressive is the DVD package, which comes with a miniature theatrical poster and another fold out insert that contains photos and notes from DiCillo, Depp and the film’s highly decorated producer, Dick Wolf.
A better documentary about The Doors may arrive at some point in the future. Until then, “When You’re Strange” is worth a look.
contact: wcurry718@yahoo.com
WHEN YOU’RE STRANGE (2010)
Rated R, 85 minutes
(Available on DVD June 29, 2010 from Eagle Rock Entertainment)
DVD Features:
16:9 Screen Format
English PCM Stereo 2.0, DTS Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Bonus Material:
- Interview with Admiral George C. Morrison, USN