I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (2002)

First-time filmmaker and award-winning photographer Sam Jones documents the recording of Wilco's album, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."

Director:

Sam Jones

Stars:

Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Leroy Bach

Cast

Credited cast:
Jeff Tweedy	...	Self
John Stirratt	...	Self
Leroy Bach	...	Self
Glenn Kotche	...	Self
Jay Bennett	...	Self
Greg Kot	...	Self
Tony Margherita	...	Self
Fred Armisen	...	Self
Wes Orshoski	...	Self
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bill Bentley
David Bither
Lin Brehmer
Chris Brickley
Ken Coomer	...	Self
David Fricke

Storyline

First time director Sam Jones documents the making of Wilco's fourth studio Album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Named after the Wilco song that is featured on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, an album that strays from the Alt-country that made them famous. Jones' desire was to document the creative work of YHF's production, he seems to have found a bit more, including band members departing and a conflict with Reprise record company. This is a true documentry of art versus money-driven media conglomerates.

---

Plot Keywords:

record company | songwriter | rock music | recording studio | musician | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Music

---

Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the final chorus of the song "Monday" the line "get me out of FLA" becomes "get me out of TLA" (an inside joke/nod to Jay Bennett's band Titanic Love Affair). In the performance the camera catches John Stirratt singing "TLA" while Jeff Tweedy seems to be singing "FLA" and then looks surprised and bemused at the conflict of whether or not to keep Bennett's contribution.

---

Connections

References Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

User Reviews

For Wilco fans... NOT doc fans...

I am fairly confused reading some of the reviews... this was NOT a fly on the wall, eye opening documentary at all. It was something between an EPK and a longform video. Have those of you making such comments seen any real docs? This film looks like what it is... a great photographer who does not know how to tell a story in a cut, just from his still images.

You learn very little about Wilco and if you are not into the music, it is not watchable. There is 33 minutes before any bit of drama or story begins to unfold. All the hyped record label struggle is REFLECTIVE and only one single phone call unfolds before your eye. I found the film great to look at but hard to watch. It looks like something that was controlled, curbed and guided, not a REAL documentary. I happen to love YHF and the most enjoyable part of this film was hearing those songs but it was a complete distraction to the story.

Some Kind of Monster is a FAR FAR superior film and I cant stomach the music of Metallica. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is flat, uninspiring and in general does not serve the story it is said to represent...

ash =o)

Details

Official Sites:

Wilco the Movie

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 2002 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,776, 28 July 2002

Gross USA:

$445,522

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$445,522

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bona Fide Productions, Cowboy Pictures, Experience Music Project

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1