Patti Smith: Dream of Life

It is OK to make a sentimental family movie - but it is not polite to bother other people by distributing it! "Vanity" is the word that describes this movie. However, it asks couple of questions: are the artists really incapable of talking about their own work (no, not all of them, I believe)? Second, does Patti Smith really believe that her art will survive her - i.e. human being is mortal, poetry is immortal? Well, her books and Cd's are now on sale for couple of bucks, I am not sure in ten years it will be any better ... And finally, why does she treats herself as the most important thing in the universe ... thanks god for those punk bands that can make fun out of them. Well, if you have not seen this movie, you did not missed much. Play some of Patti Smith CDs instead - any of them is much better to this.

Patti Smith is the embodiment of what a true artist is. Beautifully shot filled with poetry, ideas, music and life. I do have to say that it drags just a little bit on the second half and that Patti can also sound a tad pretentious, but what really shines is her humanity and her internal world of intricate emotion and rationality. I personally could listen to her read her poems for hours and just feel inspired. The film is also quite touching and heartfelt. She is still as relevant today as she was in the 70s. I saw her live two years ago when she came to Portugal e it was life changing. Such raw power and commitment to her art. This is also a very American documentary in the truest essence of what i feel America really is: the ancient power of the land that washes over brilliant artists and shines through them I am a true fan of Patti's so i'm not sure if the casual viewer would love it as much as me, but all of us who want to be artists should see. Also great passionate speech against Bush.

Patti Smith: Dream of Life is a frankly disappointing documentary which gives little real insight into its subject. Made by Patti Smith herself, the film tends to gloss over large sections of her life, without giving viewers an understanding of their significance. Even more annoyingly, given that its musical focus, it is largely lacking in concert footage.

For example, although the film mentions Smith's friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe, it fails to delve into what influence he might have had on Smith's artistry. Given that this case represented two of the major artists of the twentieth century living together, one would have thought this would merit a sustained discussion.

The lack of musical footage is also glaring. In the end, we are interested in Smith not because of her life or opinions, but because of her music. That should have been a far greater element within the piece.

Ultimately, those who want to learn more about Patti Smith would be better off seeking out her memoir, or finding a good interview with her.

PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE is a free-floating ramble through the life of one of America's premiere poets. The time sequences are hazy, her children appear and reappear at dramatically different ages, and this only adds to the visionary quality of the film. This is the farthest one could imagine from the standard Rock Bio that one might see on VH1. The Patti Smith of today seems just as interesting and dynamic as the artist who created HORSES many years ago. She is among the few contemporary artists who manage to connect the Beatnik sensibility of the late 50's and the rock and roll music of today's social and political activists. Hopefully, this film will spread her musical and poetic influence to people who may not be aware of her compelling aesthetic vision.

I had no expectations of this movie. About two minutes into it I got that feeling, you know the one, the feeling that wow, this is going to be a good one. So I settled back and let the film take me with it. It took me into Patti's world through a poetic portal in her self. She is the artist as a real person who touches, loves, nourishes and creates. Patti takes the viewer through her childhood, young adulthood, the Chelsea days, her days of mothering her children and tells of her losses and her rebirth into the world of touring once again. The cinematography combines with Patti's poetry to create scenes of dreams that you don't want to end. Because the film took 11 years to make, her children grow and mature into young talented adults so much like Patti was at their age. It is wonderful to see Sam Shepard playing guitar duets with Patti just off the cuff in her room sitting on a box on the floor after all the years that have come between them. There was still so much feeling between them like they were just kids again. I loved this movie. I loved the fact that it showed such a strong and tender woman who laughs so easily and is still so vital and relevant. The movie is about Patti Smith, so I don't see how people can criticize her for being the center of this universe. Her poetry may last forever.