The Fab Four haven’t so much been studied or scrutinised over the years, but they have had their very remaining flecks of flesh plucked from their rotting carcasses by hoards of vultures. Stating they are the most popular band in the world is a fairly safe bet, but it’s also fair to say they are probably the most studied and covered band of all time. But not George. I hear you say - he’s the most mysterious one – well, to say there isn’t much content on him would be a gross misjudgement, a quick search on Amazon alone will bring you up books in their double figures and several films on him alone. So, this begs the question, is a near four-hour documentary on him really worth going through the motions again? Yes, is the answer - a resounding yes.
The contributors stick to a relatively tightly knit selection of friends, loved ones and acquaintances and are all the people you’d hope to be speaking about the late man. A worry from the off was whether the film was going to simply turn into a continuous reel of sycophancies and nostalgia-based anecdotes, but for the most part the subject is tastefully and sensitively treated.
The difficulty lies here in attaining the balance between historical perspective and context of George’s life in and outside of the Beatles without making this a film about the Beatles, or indeed leaving them so far out of the picture that you are left scratching your head. Thankfully, this is a balance achieved with tightrope precision; we are given a weighty but concise trip down memory lane that sets time, place and most importantly tone for the film and indeed George’s life and headspace.
For the hardcore contingency who know the ins and outs of George’s life - the LSD trips, the quests for spiritual freedom and his general demeanour - the film will rely on the unearthing of previously unseen footage and fresh insights, and there are both in abundance. For the more casual observer -such as myself – the film plunges deep into the life, times and most interestingly the mind of George. A gentle and humble man, but one with an underlying naughtiness to him that has led to sexual and chemical explorations and deviancies one may not expect from the soft-spoken man he outwardly appeared.
The film almost literally winds down, the spiralling sense that you feel as we are approaching the death of George is almost palpable. Sadly, you still have to go through the traumatising events that preceded George’s death, as an intruder broke into his home, attacked him and wife Olivia and left George stabbed, severely injured in hospital. For all the humour and wit displayed throughout the film (and there is plenty) it descends into a sour tale and this proves to be the films most testing time.
The direction, tone and editing to the film are all exquisite; much like Scorsese’s Bob Dylan doc No Direction Home, the real magic and creativity lies in the cutting room. What must have been a exhausting project has been imaginatively told in a time period that very few films or documentaries could deal with, let alone make sitting through a doddle. The film never drags, and truthfully, if it were another hour long I would have had no quibble.