I didn't see this movie until 2012, but I must admit the distance of seeing a 1987 movie about Chuck Berry that shows many of the music stars at that time probably made me appreciate it more.
The film is a bit uneven at times. Eric Clapton's, "Wee Wee Hours" ballad slowed the whole movie down. And having Julian Lennon sing the lead, on "Johnny B. Goode" - arguably the greatest rock'n roll song ever made - may have made sense in 1987, but looks silly now.
However, there are some really great, worthwhile scenes in the movie. Linda Ronstadt absolutely KILLS her version of "Back in the U.S.A." which made me remember why everyone used to like her so much. It was certainly poignant to see the recently deceased Etta James belt out her version of "Rock'n Roll Music," another highlight. And while I'm not at all a fan of Bruce Springsteen, his reminisces of Chuck Berry were both funny and insightful.
If you're a fan of rock'n roll, you really have to see this film.
The film is a bit uneven at times. Eric Clapton's, "Wee Wee Hours" ballad slowed the whole movie down. And having Julian Lennon sing the lead, on "Johnny B. Goode" - arguably the greatest rock'n roll song ever made - may have made sense in 1987, but looks silly now.
However, there are some really great, worthwhile scenes in the movie. Linda Ronstadt absolutely KILLS her version of "Back in the U.S.A." which made me remember why everyone used to like her so much. It was certainly poignant to see the recently deceased Etta James belt out her version of "Rock'n Roll Music," another highlight. And while I'm not at all a fan of Bruce Springsteen, his reminisces of Chuck Berry were both funny and insightful.
If you're a fan of rock'n roll, you really have to see this film.