1/10
Curiosity Piece
11 May 2023
This film only confirmed feelings about Johansen I've had for decades. He's a cultural phenomenon and vocalist-not a singer-couldn't carry a tune in a Dolls handbag. Don't get me wrong. I like Dylan. I like Beefheart. I like plenty of vocalists. Might even prefer them to singers. But Johansen was smart to go Poindexter and get into films where his over the top persona could play to his strengths as a vaudevillian.

The movie itself should've given more (any?) screen time to Iggy, surviving regulars at Max's KC, John Cale, the Dolls-influenced such as Debbie Harry (shown in the Carlyle crowd), John Lydon, Mike Ness, Billie Joe Armstrong anyone but the insufferable Morrissey (ancient footage, at that).

Having Johansen's daughter handle the offscreen interviews is a tad soft. Scorcese seemingly phoned this one in or Covid put it on a ventilator.

Unless your a fan of Johansen's "singing." Lot's soft easy listening performances from a guy lionized as a punk rock pioneer.

Check out the doc/bio of Arthur Kane for some engrossing viewing.
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