The cognoscenti won't find much in Stanley Nelson's documentary that they don't already know, but those with partial or no knowledge of Davis will find it a useful packaging of his eventful and influential life. It is formed from Davis' own literary words (raspily voiced by actor Carl Lumby), documentary footage, and talking heads of those who lived, loved and worked with him. It does not shy away from revealing Davis' more unpleasant traits, his arrogance and violence towards women; his first wife Frances Taylor is especially frank in this regard (and she tells us several times what wonderful legs she has!). A chief gripe is that the music is not given space to speak for itself, the clips being too brief or voiced over - we are being told rather than shown, and this becomes wearing and rather sells the subject short.
It's on a limited cinema release but is jointly funded by the BBC, so may appear on TV at some time. Worth keeping an eye out for despite the shortcomings.
It's on a limited cinema release but is jointly funded by the BBC, so may appear on TV at some time. Worth keeping an eye out for despite the shortcomings.
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