Fallen Angel: Gram Parsons (2004)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Gandulf Hennig

Writers:

Sid Griffin (writer)
Gandulf Hennig (writer)

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Tagline:

Feature length documentary on the musician and million-dollar-heir Gram Parsons, his exceptional life, his bizarre death, and his deep impact on music history.

Plot:

On September 19, 1973, the musician and heir to a million-dollar fortune died under the influence of drugs and alcohol near his favourite place...

Cast

Peter Buck	...	Himself
Gretchen Parsons Carpenter	...	Herself
Elvis Costello	...	Himself
Pamela Des Barres	...	Herself
Emmylou Harris	...	Herself
Chris Hillman	...	Himself
Phil Kaufman	...	Himself
John Nuese	...	Himself
Diane Parsons	...	Herself
Becky Parsons Gottsegen	...	Herself
Gram Parsons	...	Himself (archive footage)
Keith Richards	...	Himself
Dwight Yoakam	...	Himself

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Germany | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Company:

BBC Music Entertainment

The Situated Seduction

You should know I am biased in this comment. I know some of the people in this documentary. And I had Gram's piano in my house for ten years after he died.

I value what he found with Emmylou as charmed, unique and important. His music never touched me personally because it was so hopeless in intent while being so seductive and original in its phrasing. This is everything Sinatra was claimed to be. It was genuine; just the wrong food for health.

There are two stories here. One is the story of what actually made the music special — when it was. You won't get this from old musicians or girl friends. You have to get it from someone who is a storyteller of skill equal to the subject: subtle, light, subliminal and full of contradictions. Addiction before it manifests, while it is still an urge.

This documentary misses that, misses it completely. Some people say that he was influential and then point to what today is called country music. That's neither useful nor correct. You miss everything if you miss this.

There is another story, the "Tennessee Williams" family tragedy that proceeds three generations before and already two after him. Its vastly more complex than described here, cleaned for obvious reasons.

Some day, someone may find a way to tell this story in a way that is not merely voyeuristic, but in a way that matters, that is deep and that changes lives. Until then, simple people will just want the broad outlines, and some unusual drama. And they will be able to get that here.

The editing is fine. The archival footage is valuable. There are lots of good songs.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.