"Kinda Brilliant. Kinda Dumb. Kinda The Replacements." Reads the tag line for this film. A tale about the much-revered Minnesota rockers The Replacements. It’s a documentary that chronologically graphs the rise and fall of the band through a series of interviews with other bands, fans and associates of all varieties. Quite early on it seems apparent that this is a project the band aren’t involved in, a little like picking up one of those bogus looking band biographies that read’s "100% unofficial". However, there is enough insight and outsider contribution to make it a gripping watch. It seems unashamedly open in being a fan project. An attempt to instil as much passion about the band as they once had. As a result, the band's involvement isn’t so much missed, however, their music at times is. When you hear everybody gush with open jaws about the time they first heard Let It Be, you crave to hear that opening bass of ‘I Will Dare’, simply to be taken to the same mind space.
The contributors vary from Tommy Ramone (producer of Tim), Craig Finn of the Hold Steady, Colin Melloy of The Decemberists (and author of the 33 1/3 series on Let It Be), members of Husker Du, The Goo Goo Dolls and a host of music critics including Jim Derogatis, Legs McNeil, Robert Christgau and New York Times reporter and longtime fan David Carr. The arc of the film is an interesting one. We go through The Replacements' discography album-by-album, and as we get further towards the end of the band's output, people start to drop out at as fans - some recalling the band's direction and content with anger and disappointment, even telling tales of CDs being thrown out of the windows. Some of the hardcore contingency remain fans until the bitter end, but there is an overwhelming feeling that this was a band that peaked and then dipped, many citing the departure of guitarist Bob Stinson as a fundamental reason.
At times, the film can feel like one continuous anecdote rather than a plunge into the depths of the band and their music, but perhaps this is the point. Ultimately, it’s a film made by fans for fans. It’s unlikely to act a catalyst for people who have never heard the band to rush out and buy their albums, as it seems to expect that you should already be familiar with the band’s catalogue. The film essentially goes song by song through their seven albums, bordering on tedium for those who are not familiar. Although, the passion demonstrated for the band and the various effects they have had on some people’s lives is intoxicating.
In essence, if you love The Replacements and crave to have long talks about the impact this band has had on your life, this documentary will be like hugging a long lost friend. For somebody who likes The Replacements a hell of a lot but was born the same year their fourth album came out (like myself), it’s more like a firm handshake or high five from a buddy.