Who Is Lydia Loveless? (2016) User Reviews

Fantastic look at the artist and the band

[chet-61585 · 9/10 · 4 November 2016]

Being a fan of Lydia's music I was certainly predisposed to like this film. The filmmaker brought so much more to the party, with the visual treats of the funny animation and the photo albums for example. The style reminded me of other docs like 'We Jam Econo' but has its own flair. The biggest charm of course is Lydia herself. Admittedly slightly alienated from society yet at the same time very charismatic, the push-pull dynamic of her is fascinating. Her band mates are fantastic supporting players in every way.

This film goes into my highest echelon of music documentaries. I look forward to seeing Gorman's other films.

Raw!!!!

[dah-96788 · 9/10 · 4 June 2019]

This chick rocks it! Do yourself a favor and watch this doc. The way music is supposed to be played.

initiate portrait of a song writer on the rise

[m_galinsky · 9/10 · 23 November 2017]

Gorman Bechard is a documenter of those that history has forgotten and those it has not yet discovered. He finds creative ways of working his way into an artist's life like a puppy. Hanging around long enough to be endearing, and then long enough to become a part of the furniture. The truths start to boil to the surface and we get to see the true face of the artist. It helps that Lydia is a powerful songwriter and performer. If you haven't heard of Lydia before seeing this film, by the end you'll feel like you've known her for a very long time.

Very compelling profile of a complicated artist

[bobferguson-1 · 10/10 · 19 April 2016]

I absolutely loved this documentary of Lydia Loveless, which I saw at an Chicago film festival.

Loveless' music is pretty well known among fans of Alt-Country/Americana rock, but aside from her reputation for solidly written songs and frequently messy but very enjoyable shows, I don't think there's been as deep a dive into what makes her tick as this film provides.

Intimidating and adorable all at once, Loveless comes across as ridiculously smart, which I don't think I'd know unless I saw the film. Her lyrics are very clever, and this film does a fantastic job of showing the viewer from which parts of her personal history that cleverness comes from.

There are tons of well-shot and exciting performances throughout the film, and without giving away too much, the film nears it's close documenting a performance of Loveless' "Boy Crazy" that is completely intense, surprising, and enthralling. I've watched a zillion rock docs, and this particular song performance is one of the most compelling 7 or 8 minutes I've seen in such a film.

Can't wait for this one to become available online or DVD so I can share with friends.

The Rise & Rise of LL!

[chuckoney · 10/10 · 11 April 2016]

I loved this documentary for baring all the Heat & Soul and Warts and all of Lydia. I was pleasantly surprise on how each band member was featured & how much they contribute to the overall sound and spirit of Lydia Loveless the band. They fellow musicians are not only talented in their own right, but downright Funny!! Lydia herself was quite candid in this documentary and you get to see what makes her tick, come along for the ride in the songwriter process and party after the show with the band. One thing I did learn for sure from this documentary is that you cannot put Lydia Loveless in a box, she will scratch & kick her way out of it. A Must watch for true Rock N Roll Fans and for those of us who keep hoping for a Carson Drew Reunion.

Coney

Well crafted, well directed, well edited

[c-20713 · 10/10 · 16 May 2016]

I'll be honest – I attended the screening in Raleigh for the solo performance after the movie. At live shows, Lydia's amazing vocals are often overwhelmed by the mix of her band, so eight hours of travel was well worth hearing her solo.

I was initially skeptical of a movie about her – at just 25 years old, exactly how do you fill almost two hours of screen time??? But I came away really impressed. The movie is extremely well constructed, with artifices and devices that move the story in an interesting way. The scrapbook motif was brilliant, although the "super heroes" could have been left on the cutting room floor.

Even if you have no idea who Lydia Loveless is (your loss), this movie is put together in a way that will draw you in.

Outstanding Film about a true talent

[briansl-24567 · 10/10 · 8 April 2016]

Caught this at a film festival in Columbus Ohio. An in depth interview/visceral dissection of a brilliant songwriter climbing through the growth and successes of her rock band. Very real life with insightful questions and behind the scene stories of a rise to success. Part history of the band, part commentary on what it means to be true to your art, and along the way you learn that Lydia has surrounded herself with an incredibly talented team. You will enjoy this not only for the outstanding sound and music, but also because you can't watch this and not be captivated by her talents. She refuses to be categorized to one genre, and you walk away thinking she doesn't write or perform because she wants to, it's because she NEEDS to. If you love interesting dialogue and laughing at the joys of real life, you will really enjoy this unique documentary. It kicks ass, like Lydia does.

Fascinating look into a truly amazing artist.

[robin7716 · 10/10 · 14 November 2016]

This movie rocks. No, really it literally rocks. Lydia's amazing talent is reason enough to see this movie but the behind the scenes look into an upcoming star is fascinating, funny and moving. Gorman does an excellent job of showing how this unlikely cast of characters came together to make some truly inspirational music. Lydia's talent is clearly the driving force behind the band but it is very interesting to see each members roll and how they have become a family. The concert footage is some of the best I have ever seen. It Makes you want to jump in a car and follow Lydia around. There is also some great comic relief from the band mates and animation. Bottom line, Lydia is a bad ass and this movie is a must see for all music lovers.

Today's True Rock and Roll, Chaotic and Magical

[dougray30 · 10/10 · 28 November 2017]

I watched a special screening of this film (so I had no exposure yet to all the extras on the DVD itself). When the credits ended I had to stay seated for a few minutes just to absorb the energy and feelings I had.

If you're already familiar with Lydia Loveless, the live music alone is worth the cost of admission ("More Like Them" gives me chills every time I hear it). If you're NOT familiar with Lydia - or you are but only in a small way - you will learn so much about her, and the band. But this documentary is SO much more than that.

It's a study of the way a "family" of five band members holds things together while maintaining individual identities.

It's a lesson in the economics of music, and the differences between being a "star" and being an artist and a critics favorite and making enough money to live.

It's a beautiful peek into the process of how pages of scribbled lyrics becomes a song, and then a different song, and then a completely different song...and then in the studio it takes shape into a work of art.

It's a diary of how Lydia Loveless has grown from a teenager just wanting to please everyone to a woman who has learned allowing input and ideas from her band is not a criticism of her craft.

Gorman Bechard has done some great work in the past, but this is the finest documentary he has ever filmed. The interviews are relaxed and off-the-cuff while maintaining honesty. You're really just watching conversations, not self-aware canned answers to obvious questions. The live music is as powerful as if you were standing in the audience. And like all great documentaries, so much of what you learn is simply shown to you instead of spoken. The film is an experience, not a lecture or a history lesson.

Lydia Loveless is an amazingly talented person, and the Patron Saint of the Socially Awkward. When I wasn't feeling my heart pulled out I was laughing hard and loud. And sometimes I was doing both.

I've ordered a copy for myself plus copies for gifts. I've already seen the film, and I'm still counting the days until the DVD is released. That's not just because of the long list of extra material I want to enjoy. It's mainly because I desperately want to watch this again.

Buy this film. Watch this film. Love this film. And when you play it, play it LOUD.

Update: Now that I have the DVD in-hand, I can also say the extras are tremendous. After you've watched the movie, make sure you enjoy the commentary track between Gorman and Lydia, as well as all the other bonus material. Too often the bonus features are ignored by the casual viewer. Don't make that mistake!

Amazing Documentary on Lydia Loveless from Gorman Bechard!!

[michael-panico · 10/10 · 30 April 2016]

The title of the movie Who Is Lydia Loveless? will lead you to believe that this movie is mostly about Lydia and her life and career. She is the subject of it but the beauty of it is how well Gorman Bechard builds what is going on around Lydia's world. Her band members are like her family and this shown very well throughout the film. It takes you through the recording and songwriting process which has become a more collaborative effort over the years the more she has learned to trust her band. The interviews Gorman does with her show her shy side, her awkward side, and her fun side. You can tell she is not completely comfortable in front of the camera and would rather be singing but what comes across as does with her songs is how truthful she is as an artist. She is beyond caring around being put in a category or a label, she just wants to make good music and it all shows in her performance and in the recording studio. The live performances are dropped in the film perfectly and really display what her band is all about. Pure energy, raw rock n roll, and a lot of talent. The movie is just under two hours but flies by like it was twenty minutes. Lydia is not a household name but this is a movie I would recommend to anyone interested in music documentaries even if you had never heard of her, it was that entertaining. I think you will walk away a fan of Lydia Loveless and a fan of Gorman Bechard if you are not already one. GO SEE THIS FILM!!

Excellent look at what it means to be an artist today

[jaloeb · 10/10 · 5 June 2016]

I caught this movie as part of the Boston Independent a Film Festival this year (2016). There are documentaries that make you think about the subject for the few hours after you see it, there are documentaries that are well done but don't inspire discussion, and then there are documentaries that force you to immerse yourself in the subject at hand. Gorman Bechard's latest rock doc falls into the last category. At least once a day I find myself thinking back to some part of this movie.

The story focuses on the lifeblood of a working musician-recording and touring. Excellent interviews with Lydia and her band throughout give us the answer to this question. Like most subjects there is not just one answer you will come away from the movie with an appreciation for the challenges it takes to be an artist in a world which appears to put less value on art.

Peeking into the life of a highly gifted younger musician

[whmacdougall-73925 · 1 May 2016]

The documentary answers the question as we meet this young and interesting singer. We are exposed to the highs and lows of life on the road and the complexity of her personality.

I enjoyed seeing the creative process unfold combined with angst that usually goes, but rarely seen, among creative people.

I hadn't a clue who she was prior to seeing this film at the Boston International Film Festival; now i know and i suspect that we will see more of her.

The film makers take us on a brilliant visual trip that lets us enter the world of these brilliant musicians.