Infamousta
brilliant actors, brilliant editing
Married Baby
Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?
Ortiz
Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.
Violet Weed
I give this a three, okay maybe a four.... for the early parts where Harry SINGS. He did write some nice little songs, nothing great, and he is not a 'great' musician either, but then, neither are any of the musicians who eulogize him. What he really was: a failed father, husband and friend. He could NOT be counted on to follow through on his covenant or his commitments. Of course you could boo me for saying that, but it is the truth. After all, his music was my generation's music. As a musician myself, I loved his little 'real life' ditties, but they were not 'genuine', in that HE was the PROBLEM in most (okay, ALL) of his romantic relationships. He could not be trusted. He was a drunk, a druggie, a liar, a cheater, and he ABANDONED his oldest child. The fact that my own father did the same thing to his two legitimate children (he wasn't married to my mother), maybe it 'scratches at my craw', who knows. But I am almost violently disdainful of people who do not honor their covenant. If you watch his 'documentary' you can feel the pain of that son, you can see it in his face. He wanted his father to love him, and Harry was far too self-centered to do that. Well the music was good, to a certain point. (Not if you are a REAL musician, but most people are not so....) I never did understand the adulation for 'rockers'. Everyone loves music, sure, but the Beatles? What did they ever do, musically, that made any kind of sense (if you were NOT stoned?) Just pop culture, that's all. And now, 40 years later, there's some nostalgic value, but that's all. Nilsson was a coward who had no integrity and who reminds me a lot of Michael Landon, who also abandoned his kids, and broke his covenant. Oh well. Losers both. But at least Landon didn't waste his talent, he was just a cheater/bad father. Nilsson ended up with a teenage irish virgin bride who has obviously not got an intelligent thought in her head. She is in fact, a cow. Luckily for HER, of course, since had she been able to think, she never would have had all those babies with him.
jayraskin
Harry Nilsson was a major singer-songwriter in the 1960's to the 1980's. He wrote songs with great tunes and cute or funny lyrics, a lot like Cole Porter.I remember going into a record store and seeing an album with a promo sticker stuck on it quoting John Lennon saying that Nilsson was his favorite new American singer. I bought the album and was deeply impressed.This is a nice and loving documentary that traces his career from working as a bank clerk to sudden stardom and success to hard partying to bankruptcy and way-too-young death at age 52.Some reviewers here noted that there is not enough of Nilsson's music in the movie. We just hear snatches of most of his hits with only a few complete songs. That's a fair criticism. I was especially disappointed that his great hit "Best Friend," which was the theme song for the beautiful 1970's television series "Courtship of Eddie's Father," was missing. It is my favorite Nilsson song.Still, since it is unlikely another documentary on Nilsson will be made, this is a must-see for his fans. For those who were born too late for the '60s and have not heard of him, I think you'll enjoy it enough to start searching out his music.
johnandchar60
I agree with all above that this must be released on DVD. It is not fair that so many crap documentaries about crap bands get made and released on DVD everyday yet a film about someone as prolific and influential as Harry is not. I know there is a market for this movie. Harry is much loved by his long time fan base and has become a "buzz" artist in underground pop. He is touted all over the place. A campaign must be mounted. At least we can watch clips on Youtube(which isn't quite the same).I own The Point and recently demos of the soundtrack for "Popeye" popped up on line (which are truly amazing. So little is out there on him. Harry deserves his due!
davidwb88
I was lucky enough to have seen this film at it's Seattle Film Fest screening, and was blown away by how great it was. This is without a doubt one of the best music documentaries I've ever seen, (and I've seen a lot!) This is a loving look back at the life and times, music and relationships of one of music's true legends. Harry Nilsson deserves to be up there with the likes of Gershwin, Cole Porter, and all the other great song writers of 20th century standards. He was considered a peer by all four members of the Beatles, who all called him a 5th Beatle, and one the same wavelength as themselves.Harry refused to tour, so many today don't remember him, and those born after his heyday, are unaware of who he was. This is tragic. Everyone should have the opportunity to be exposed to this wonderful talent. This film is a step in the right direction, to finally give the man his due. Unfortunately, the film has yet to have wide distribution, or even a DVD so for the time being, good luck in getting to see it.If you are someone with the power to put together a DVD distribution deal, PLEASE contact the film makers. This film needs to be available. Hey VH-1, how about screening it on air, then maybe putting it out on DVD? Harry Nilsson deserves nothing less.
