“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” – Jimi Hendrix
May 15th, 2014: When one thinks of Jimi Hendrix, words like musical revolutionary, creative genius and unabashed dreamer come to mind. But, before all the plaudits, paramours and profiles that made him a mercurial rock legend and a guitar god to legions, he was just a meek 20 something kid playing in the Curtis Knight and The Squires band just getting by. Saville Theatre, London 1967 is a long way from the streets of Seattle, but a chance meeting with the well-heeled and industry connected Linda Keith, will put him on a trajectory to a higher musical creation. Jimi: All is By My Side is the little known UK chapter 1966 – 1967 in Hendrix’s storied career and the influential relationships that not only made him the toast of London but helped make him one of the greatness musicians of the 20th century.
In a smoky London speak-easy Linda Keith (Imogen Poots), playing Keith Richards girlfriend saw something special in a young Jimmy James, artfully played by OutKast frontman Andre Benjamin. And after a brief exchange of pleasantries she asked him, if you could play your own music how would you do it? The era of Jimi Hendrix was born as the gradual transformation from back-line guitarist to frontman and heavy weight with all the trappings had begun. Along the way the tempestuous relationship between Linda and Jimi marred by jealousies and indifference helped establish the backbone of the narrative. Loving him unconditionally without truly understanding the man, Linda became his biggest advocate and confidante through it all. Add to this volatile mix Kathy Etchingham (Hayley Atwell), Jimi’s long-term girlfriend and the turbulent amalgam of personal destruction was set in motion. Through all the trials and tribulation of the people, places and demands on his life, the one true constant that remained was always the truth Jimi held in his music.
Writer / Director John Ridley mined the early genesis of Jimi’s experience by inviting us through the many doors into various dimensions and philosophies of this deeply measured man. Through Jimi’s engaging and illuminating conversations often enhances by acid, Ridley levels his first salvo into the inner thought processes of Hendrix. We are taken through an intricate network of informal introductions, backstage musings and industry heavy weights kicking the tires on a musical enigma who refuses to be labeled. With the recognizable persona of Andre Benjamin fronting this project, his success in slipping into character without self-indulgent mimicry was key. Capturing the strong London MOD aesthetic evocative of the 60’s, Ridley together with Cinematographer Tim Fleming makes it so easy to buy-in to this journey. But somehow the glass still feels half empty. Taking the risky step of crafting a potentially ground breaking biopic without securing the music rights from the Hendrix estate was a gamble. Experience Hendrix, LLC, the family-owned company entrusted with safeguarding the legacy of Jimi Hendrix denied their request unless they were given full participation in the creative process.
Ridley, who’s recent Academy Award winning screenplay for Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave gave him instant cred on the project. Yet, I still question his decision that an intimate talking head portrayal of Hendrix sans any musical performances from the exceptionally talented Benjamin could actually work. In some respects it does until we reach a series of apexes where key musical performances should exist in the normal course of music biopics but . . . never appear. Classic performances that form the cornerstones of Jimi’s career should be the connective tissue that ties in so much heady dialogue. Alas, those ties are never formed. With Are You Experienced? being released in 1967, a natural segue between scenes would have been a pleasant respite.
Review: 3 out 5: Outstanding performances from Benjamin, Poots, Atwell and Gorman were beautifully crafted in John Ridley’s dramatization of a year in the life of Jimi Hendrix. While some fans of Hendrix will derive new insights into the creative process along with the personal failings of a legend. Other die-hards who bought into the wordy narrative as a precursor to the genius casting of Andre Benjamin’s reinterpretation of iconic Hendrix performances will be left wanting. This void is mountainous and all the illuminating dialogue cannot compensate for the ground breaking musical anthems that were left out.
Final Though: The Experience Continues.
Genre: Biopic, Docudrama
Country: UK / Ireland
Year: 2013
Language: English
Director: John Ridley
Writer: John Ridley
Producers: Tristan Lynch, Brandon Freeman, Sean McKittrick, Anthony Burns, Nigel Thomas, Jeff Culotta, Danny Bramson
Runtime: 116 Minutes
Website: http://www.jimihendrix.com/us/home
Cast: Andre Benjamin, Imogen Poots, Hayley Atwell, Burn Gorman, Ruth Negga
