Disclaimer: I’m a blind film critic. this film has audio description on Amazon.
I’m not a Beatles super fan by any stretch of the imagination. It isn’t that I don’t like them, I just would say that I don’t enjoy them on the level of some. I also feel like I see an extraordinary amount of content about them. Just last year, Disney Plus had another Beatles docuseries, and there was a John and Yoko doc on HBo.We even had the Ringo and friends concert not that long ago. The year prior, we have Beatles 64, and i remember the restored sessions done by Peter Jackson. Now, I’m looking at four films by Sam Mendes. I’m good on Beatles content.
that being said, this was interesting. It focuses on McCartney’s life between The Beatles and his more current slate. There’s this sweet spot where he wasn’t sure what his next project would be. He wasn’t even sure if his Beatles contract allowed for a life after. When he did start exploring who Paul was as a solo artist, critics weren’t very kind. he did let his wife, Linda McCartney, join in, but ultimately, this wouldn’t be his final form.
Paul would later assemble Wings, and that’s about as far as we get. We do get the Live and let Die Bond song, as well as a lot of commentary from those closest to Paul. Interestingly, Sean Lennon participates, presumably because his father is mentioned so much he’s the only one able to speak on his behalf. But, Sean seems to have no ill will toward Paul, and just colors the documentary from his perspective.
I always am leery of documentaries around living figures, and especially ones where they participate. I wonder if they’d ever really tell us everything, the real truth, but because this isn’t comprehensive, and focuses mostly on this period of transition, it never feels like the definitive McCartney project anyway. I liked it more than the John and yoko documentary, which is something.
There is audio description, and I felt that it did a good job of not just popping up a talking head, but giving their name more than once, realizing we don’t all instantly imprint on a voice the first time we hear it. that was a nice touch.
A solid documentary for anyone, but certainly a must-watch for Paul McCartney fans, as well as those looking to consume everything made by any Beatle ever.
Fresh: 7.9/10
