You're Gonna Miss Me (2005)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Keven McAlester

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Plot:

Documentary about rock n roll pioneer Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson, whose band the 13th Floor Elevators coined the term "psychedelic rock" in the 60's. Struggling with drug abuse and schizophrenia, he spent 3 years in Rusk State Hospital after pleading insanity on marijuana charges. His new band, Roky Erickson and the Aliens managed to stay vital during the 70's with a darker and more aggressive rock sound. After losing interest in music, he became a recluse, living in poverty and filth. The movie details the rise and fall of Roky Erickson and his brothers struggle to get Rokys life back on track. |

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Evelyn Erickson	...	Herself
Roger Kynard Erickson	...	Himself (also archive footage)
Sumner Erickson	...	Himself

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Soundtrack:

Levitation

Interesting documentary on a tragic subject

While the name isn't highly remembered today by mainstream audiences, among Garage and Psychedelic collectors, Roky Erickson is a legend. His band, the 13th Floor Elevators, originated the term "Psychedelic Rock" and took the use of acid influenced rock to levels unheard of before. Erickson, just like Syd Barrett, was a tragic figure in real life. A certified schizophrenic whose stay in a mental ward only worsened his condition, seeing the man now is very depressing. Whats amazing though is that no matter how much of his mind he lost, he remained a fantastic songwriter. Just about everything by the man, either with the Elevators or his solo work, is worth owning.

The documentary is made by people who obviously have a great deal of sympathy for their topic. Like all good documentary filmmakers, Keven McAlester for the most part doesn't overload the film with either personal opinions or manipulation. He turns the camera on, and lets the subjects speak for themselves. Granted, we never learn just what is the root of Erickson's condition, but thats not a problem. Nobody ultimately knows why Erickson is the way he is. We're able to draw our own conclusions based on interviews with Erickson's friends and family (including his similarly tragic and overprotective mother). "You're Gonna Miss Me" offers no easy answers, and thats its main strength. (7/10)