Meeting People Is Easy

As a long time Radiohead fan, I was very very excited about the release of Grant Gee's documentary. Needless to say it lived up to all my expectations. It showed the band as people, not huge rock stars or snobs or whatever the public might take them for. It was the daily routine of photo shoots, interviews, and touring that helps us realize what hard work is needed to be a success. New song previews were a plus too. An excellent look at an excellent band.

This is a wonderful thought provoking film. It is not easy to watch and it does not focus on gaining insight into the band in conventional ways. Instead you are more of a companion feeling the alienation and isolation that the band seems to be feeling. Because it deals with alienation in both its subject manner and how it is filmed it isn't easy to swallow. For that the film is much more affecting than other rockumentaries that merely focus on the glitz, glamour, and the roudy but slick production that goes into a major band. Perhaps people don't like to think about how all jobs have their downsides but I think the way Gee juxtaposes the sterility and monotony of the countless environments the band is faced with the human fatigue, frustration, and disconnect the band feels from the world and eachother is fascinating and affecting. The title itself sums up the film well with its ironic and perhaps sarcastic comment on the accessibility of artists with their audience. The film also offers a beautiful selection of very personal moments of the band doing their job and shows how deeply the band feels about their music, not in their talking about it, but in their playing, especially the moments outside of the concerts themselves. It shows both the pain that comes with the peculiar kind of hard work the band is faced with and the moments of happiness and excitement that are possible because of that hard work which makes it all worth it. The almost nightmare environment that the film conveys, for me, humanized these men who have been heralded by so many as music messiahs in an industry that keeps getting more slick and more scary. Stunning.

This rockumentry is not like most. It is far more honest about the rock and roll lifestyle, showing that, like anything else that pays, it is still a job. The only downside is that it will encourage people who always accuse radiohead of being depressing to continue. It has, however, got a lot to offer radiohead fans, although not so much now. The DVD contains several songs which were, or still are, unreleased. Including 'how to disappear completely' (2000), 'I will' (2003), 'life in a glasshouse' (2001), and songs which are still unreleased such as 'follow me around' and 'big boots (man-o-war)'. another downside with the dvd itself is that the whole dvd is just one scene. however, this is a definate must for radiohead fans.

Yes I indeed enjoyed this movie...I only bought this for one reason...RADIOHEAD! Probably one of the greastest bands of all time and my favorite. This movie actually got me to know how Radiohead is when there not recording music and selling records.

As said Colin, "we don't learn much about Radiohead in this thing". That's true. Whatever, it's a real pleasure and pain to see and follow a great band on the road, listening to dumb journalists questions. Makes ones think about the fan status and the star status, which one is enviable, who could be ashamed of stalking people. Meeting people is easy, yeah. but you must want it first.