Rosanna’s Movie

I realize Rosanna gets to make the movie because she knows so many of these people and is famous herself, but am I the only person in the room who winces when she whips out her sycophantic act?  I mean I can’t think of her without hearing the Stones’ "Star Star" go through my brain.  And the voiceover in the beginning, makes me want to puke.

I guess I believe in rock and roll.  Its power.  Its beauty.  Its truth.  Whereas Rosanna seems to believe in herself.  Whatever it takes to get her access.  Whereas I’ve always found access disappointing.  I can’t name a better artist than Joni Mitchell, but up close and personal she’s one of the most difficult people I’ve ever met.  It’s hard to square the woman with the music.  But don’t think I wasn’t thrilled to interact with her a couple of times.  Because she means that much to me.  Certainly more than any politician or corporate executive.

Yes, music has a power.  An undeniable one.  But as Frank Zappa stated (this is in question, so don’t e-mail me with other progenitors, it’s really just about the point), talking about music is like dancing about architecture.

Oh, the first section of this flick is riveting.  Wherein classic artists, household names, ruminate on the status of the music business.  Hell, Steven Tyler even disses Donnie Ienner, head of his label.  The musicians know it’s a new reality, funny how those at the labels are denying it.  They all are aware of the Internet, and the stagnation of the music.  It’s like EVERYBODY KNOWS we’re fucked, but the corporations and the press keep saying if everybody stopped stealing music things would be fine.

Except for Jimmy Iovine.  Watching Jimmy here you know why he’s the most successful executive in the business.  Jimmy draws a parallel between rap and rock and roll so articulately, so clearly, that you GET IT!  That Dre and Snoop were Mick and Keith.  And the rappers were trying to one up each other just like Brian Wilson was trying to beat the Beatles, and vice versa.  The rappers were pushing the art form.  Whereas the rockers were complacent, not trying new rhythms, new beats, not testing the limits.

Sure, Jimmy also said how he pushed "Rolling Stone" to put rappers on its cover.  He’s the link, the integral element bringing music to the masses.  And it’s this gatekeeper identity that makes one hate him, how he has to be where it’s at all the time.  But he gets it.

And then there’s David Crosby.  A laughable joke sideshow in the consciousness of the community.  But David is so SMART, got it so DOWN, that you know why Melissa Etheridge wanted him to father her kids.

And Maynard.  From Tool.  This guy is so down to earth that you hang on every word.  He’s real in a way so many of the other personages in this documentary are not.  They’re holding back.  After all, they’re professionals, they edit themselves when the camera starts to roll.  But not Maynard.  It’s like you dropped by his house one afternoon and he told you exactly where he was at.  It’s this honesty, this BELIEVABILITY, that makes his bands so successful.

As for the drivel about where the music/inspiration comes from.  These artists should just do it, not talk about it.

As for how to balance family and rock, the only person with any true insight was Stevie Nicks.  Who delineated with eye contact that she wasn’t about to sacrifice her career.  She NEEDED IT!  You can tell she STILL needs it.

The best thing that can happen for Rosanna Arquette is that this flick is available P2P, since Showtime has such a small audience.  We fans salivate, want every tidbit, but there are not enough here.  Still, you’ll want to see it.

But when at the end of the credits, when Rosanna gives an endless list of dedications and thank yous you’ll want to walk away in disgust.  Rosanna, it’s not about YOU, but the music.  This is not a record.  Not an Academy Award speech.  A great movie should exist in its own ether.  But you leave us in a high school girl’s bedroom, with totems of your coolness in evidence.  We know you know famous people.  We know it takes a lot to make a movie.  But don’t fuck with the viewing experience!

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