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

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Certificate:

Unrated

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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$445,521, 13 July 2003

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

At one point on the DVD director's commentary with Sam Jones and Wilco, during one of the confrontations between Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett, the whole band walks out, leaving Jones to explain the dynamic of their relationships.

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Connections

References Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

User Reviews

Fly on the Wall

Fascinating documentary focuses on Wilco recording "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," the album that caused them to be released from their record contract, only to be picked up by a subsidiary of the same label that fired them. The album (which they were already paid for by former label Reprise) becomes their biggest seller ever. Gives you a "fly on the wall" look into the conflicts between Wilco top guns Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett, which resulted in Bennett leaving the band. Great studio footage, cool live band stuff, and some less compelling live Tweedy solo performances. That fact that this story unfolded LITERALLY in front of first time director Sam Jones' eyes is pretty amazing. Talk about being in the right place at the right time (for the sake of the film, that is). Maybe the band will be better off without Bennett? Who knows. I'd think this film would easily hold the interest of those not familiar with the band, but will be very special for those familiar with the unique, uncomprimising approach of these alt. country pioneers. 4 stars.