I have been a Blue fan for many years and have had the opportunity to meet the band over 20 times in the last 8 years. So I have been eagerly awaiting this documentary. They began this process 6 years ago, I believe. Difficult to condense 6 years (and the preceding years) into an hour and 45 minute film. While I thought it was pretty cool, I feel like it was incomplete. Having seen the band live so many times, but more specifically, seeing Justin's Open Book Tour numerous times, there is so much that is missing from the film that I think would have helped make it feel more cohesive.
The documentary is definitely inspirational. If you or a loved one has ever suffered with mental illness and/or addiction issues, it's empowering to know that you have the ability to make positive changes in your life, if you want to. I will be showing this film in my psychology classes to discuss mental illness, addiction, and recovery.
If you're a new fan of Blue, or if you just don't know a lot of the background about the band, then you'll probably find the documentary to be really informative and eye-opening. If you've been a fan for many years and/or know a lot about the history of Blue October, you may feel a bit let down.
My recommendation -- watch the documentary. Then go on YouTube and find a full version of one of the Open Book concerts (preferably one from 2019), and watch it after watching the documentary. I think it will help fill in a lot of the gaps.
My favorite part of the documentary was the interview with his brother, Jeremy. Heartbreaking.
