Joe Strummer --- The Future Is Unwritten (2007)

[Edgy MD]

Julian Temple directs a documentary on the life of the Clash's frontman, featuring companions, disciples, and (inexplicably) slumming actors sitting around a fire and reminiscing.

[Willets Point]

"Straight to Hell" is better than 2 1/2 stars.

[Edgy MD]

They're all pretty good.

[Gwreck]

I saw this in the theater last year. My recollection is that while it was in many parts a fascinating documentary, it came across much like an inside joke -- if you didn't get it back then, you can't get it now.

The whole point of the campfires was supposed to be inclusion but they were presented as outsiders-not-welcome in the film and wholly inconsistent with Strummer's core values.

[Edgy MD]

A lot of good old footage and photos. (What looks to be Shane McGowan appears to be front row and center in at least three old photos.) But what Temple does isn't so interesting at all. Plus the figures aren't identified, so you have to figure it out from context. When Johnny Depp or John Cusack start talking, you're on one hand relieved that you know who's talking to you, and on the other hand agitated that it's some git who has little to offer besides his name.

And while his childhood is interesting, his extra-Clash career has little to offer except to demonstrate his insecurity apart from the talent the Clash brought. The story that's needed on film is the story of the band. And although they all have a claim, I don't trust Temple, I don't trust Alex Cox, and I don't really trust Martin Scorscese.

[Willets Point]

Have you seen The Clash: Westway to the World. It's a pretty straight-forward documentary directed by Don Letts. Lots of good concert footage and interviews with band members and others. No campfires that I recall.

[Edgy MD]

Queued.

[TransMonk]

Willets Point wrote: Have you seen The Clash: Westway to the World.

Westway is a great rock doc.

Does the Joe Strummer flick that the poll is about have a scene where he is trying to get into a radio station to do an interview and he has to explain who he is through the intercom? If so, I enjoyed that one too, though not as much as Westway.

[Edgy MD]

Not that I recall.

[TransMonk]

I apologize, I was thinking of Let's Rock Again!

The Future Is Unwritten is now on my list.

[Guest sharpie]

Future is Unwritten was okay. Westway to the World is likewise just okay. Somewhere in there should be a great Clash doc.