| Overall Grade: |
B+ |
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| Story: |
A |
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|
| Acting: |
B |
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|
| Direction: |
B- |
|
|
| Visuals: |
A |
|
|
Not moved? You may be a Republican.
by RichardJ (movies profile)
Dec 20, 2006
5
of
6 people found this review helpful
The tragedy and significance of the story covered in this documentary make it an easy one to give a high mark to. The main success of this film is to put Lennon's anti-war activism into an understandable sequence of decisions on his part, and to begin to show how much he personally influenced the peace movement. What makes the film memorable, however, is the appeal of Lennon and his selfless displays of love - love for his family, for his music, and for the principles of peace and harmony that make family, music and love possible. He stood up to the bullies and hypocrites, not because he could, but because he couldn't help it, and in doing so he leaves a lasting message that more people need to get today as history seems to repeat itself.
The directors make some mild connections between the Nixon era and the Bush era, but fail to notice that the main difference between then and now is not 9/11, but the lack of a draft. It was primarily that threat of the draft that mobilized the 18-21 year olds of the sixties, and mainly the lack of that threat that prevents similar movements today. It's easier to risk your future for a cause when your future has already been taken from you. Even with that threat behind it, the peace movement of the 60's and 70's basically failed, because it didn't leave an enduring lesson. Maybe this movie will help a little to bring the message back. I doubt it, but it can't hurt. |
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