Fans of classic rock and the turbulent decade of the ‘60s will find much to like here, but it might be too niche for everyone else.
What it's about
Using a mix of exclusive interviews and archival footage, Nick Broomfield creates a portrait of The Rolling Stones co-founder and guitarist Brian Jones, who passed away just seven years after the iconic band was formed.
The take
Though it’s a bit chaotic in structure—it’s chronological but all over the place—The Stones and Brian Jones is a compelling and crucial portrait of The Rolling Stones’ co-founding member and original leader. Jones’ life is typical of rock stars, from the misunderstood childhood and philandering habits to drug dependence and luxurious lifestyle, but director Nick Broomfield tries to paint more nuance into his character. We’re reminded, through interviews with past lovers and even letters from a family that disowned him, that he was also ambitious, insecure, sensitive, affectionate, gentle, and moody. Too often, Broomfield will relish in Jones’ tragedy, when he could’ve focused more on his musical prowess and technical knowledge, but it is overall a fair picture. It’s sympathetic to Jones of course, but Broomfield doesn’t forget to include excerpts from Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who ‘till now seem to harbor mixed feelings over Jones (he did have Jagger arrested after all). There’s drama and tension and a good deal of great music, which are always fun to watch.
What stands out
They’re there via short excerpts, but Jagger and Richards’ lack of input feels so heavy here, especially they are and continue to be the face of the band.
Comments
Add a comment
Your name
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
System Crasher (2019)
A tale of trauma and one of the most talked about movies on Netflix in 2020.
9.0
Hail Satan? (2019)
Forget everything you think you know about the Satanic Temple
8.0
Cold War (2018)
A quiet Polish masterpiece with ravishing music and dazzling visuals
9.2
The Farewell (2019)
Awkwafina shines in this complex culture clash comedy.
9.1
Mommy (2014)
Aiming straight for the heart while punching you in the guts, Mommy is a crazy chamber piece about a widowed mother and her next-door neighbor bringing up a savage teenager
9.6
The Edge of Democracy (2019)
Mixing personal history with hardcore journalism, this is the story of Brazil's fragile democracy.
9.0
Dick Johnson Is Dead (2020)
A darkly hilarious portrait of the inevitability of death
7.9
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Finds magic in the ordinary every day—and reminds us the most special art is that which comes from the heart
8.3
Raw (2017)
Unflinching and ferocious coming of age horror
8.3
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)
A gamer with disability crafts a life and community in online roleplay in this unconventional, moving documentary