Monday, May 2, 2016

Film Review: Who is Lydia Loveless?

Rock documentaries usually fall into two categories: Looking back on an artist's entire decades long career or fluff pieces meant to cash on in a pop star's peak money making window. Director Gorman Bechard's previous two films about Grant Hart and The Replacements definitely fits the former category. That's what makes Who is Lydia Loveless? so unique: It takes the standard rock documentary format and goes in a completely new direction.

You might wonder how they can film an entire film with the life story of a musician in her mid-20s. They don't. Loveless' life story fills up maybe 20 minutes. You learn about her being raised on a farm and homeschooled. You learn about her teenage band with her two sisters and her father playing drums. They then cover the fact that she recorded her first album when she was 16, and her solo career up to the present day. The rest of her band is also profiled, which truly fits into Loveless' introduction of "We are Lydia Loveless" when she first steps to the microphone at their live shows. 

The real draw of the film is seeing how a struggling band of today does it. While there is some of the typical boredom of the road moments, it also details the financial struggles. They've recorded three albums for roughly $3000 each. They have to deal with illegal downloading and streaming services. You also get a look at the creative and recording process of their third album. Once sequence is particularly brilliantly edited, going from Loveless working out a song solo on acoustic guitar, the first full band practice, recording in the studio, and then the first live performance, transitioned from phase to phase during the span of the song. You don't usually get that level of editing in any documentary, especially a music one. 

The live performances are shot especially well. Not only are Loveless and her band most in their element while on stage, but the camera work and cinematography capture their performances perfectly. Even the talking heads portions are shot well. Instead of just the typical 45 degree angle shots, Bechard shoots the members of the band with relevant objects in the foreground and background, all while somehow capturing an element of action in a static shot.

Who is Lydia Loveless? is a great look into the every day activities of one of our favorite up and coming artists. You see their every day struggles and accomplishments in a very real way. It's not just for fans of Lydia Loveless, but for anyone looking to see what the careers of non-millionaire musicians can really be like.

Who is Lydia Loveless? is currently making the rounds at festivals. For more information on the film, check out the film's website. Many screenings also feature a short acoustic set by Loveless at the end, in case you need extra motivation. For more on Lydia Loveless, check out her website. For more on Gorman Bechard, check out his website.

25 comments:

  1. it was a wonderful chance to visit this kind of site and I am happy to know.
    film streaming

    ReplyDelete
  2. In the event that Film would one say one is of the most elevated hazard ventures, the way that they venture to every part of the globe and visit numerous groups, shouldn't they at that point be committed, to tell groups, in detail, what's happening in their own back yard in a manner of speaking? free streaming movies

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rangefinder cameras can be found in an extensive variety of arrangements, the most widely recognized being for 35mm film, trailed by APS. 2Bridges Productions

    ReplyDelete
  4. Intended for Movement 5, clients can just move the generator into the course of events, and afterward change the look. With the 3D camera and light sources accessible in Movement 5, clients can make more looks than any other time in recent memory. FCPX Templates

    ReplyDelete
  5. A grasping brilliantly composed blog. Really a present for its gathering of people.
    holm law group san diego

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm one of the rock fans and i'm so happy to read this post because i know now who is Lydia Loveless, film streaming

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like the song. What's the title.


    ReplyDelete
  8. How easy is it to watch movies instantly online? If you like to watch movies or TV episodes on your computer, many sites let you do this. putlocker movies

    ReplyDelete
  9. Its an incredible joy perusing your post.Its brimming with data I am searching for and I want to post a remark that "The substance of your post is marvelous" Great work. fmovies

    ReplyDelete
  10. The conflict should be established in the first 10 pages. film beginning

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well I have constantly cherished movies, as far back as a tyke viewing the yearly re-keeps running of "The Great Escape" on TV, in spite of the fact that nowadays I would state it's significantly more than your normal individual who may just watch two or three movies per week, as I watch at least 7 films per week.Film 2018

    ReplyDelete
  12. I’m impressed, I must say. Genuinely rarely can i encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail to the head. Your idea is outstanding; the pain is an issue that there are not enough individuals are speaking intelligently about. We are delighted that we stumbled across this inside my try to find some thing about it. FCPX plugins

    ReplyDelete
  13. I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business.
    jadwal film bioskop

    ReplyDelete
  14. it's working fine for me! Thank you for sharing this with us dominations hack

    ReplyDelete
  15. how many times i can do this ?. i used 3 times and got my di . Thnxxx war machines hack

    ReplyDelete

  16. Excellent trick this great friend, this was what I was looking for a long time and finally something that works. I recommend them all if it is real is not a lie. Thanks friend. Keep it up mini golf king hack

    ReplyDelete