Up until this point on The Forum, I have only shared my thoughts on music. But today I was blessed with the opportunity to watch the Marin Scorsese documentary George Harrison: Living In The Material World, for I have had a hold on it this entire summer at Easton's Ames Free Library and finally it was my turn with the DVD. Over three hours later, I am filled with thoughts regarding the film and I feel that The Forum is the place to share them.
Now, I have watched my fair share of music related documentaries in my day. Typically I watch one about artists that I already know a lot about and I want that information presented to me in a new and exciting way which highlights the elements from the narrative that mean the most to me. One of the best I have ever seen at accomplishing this feat was Tom Petty- Runnin' Down A Dream. This film, also succeeds in this aim. The film is broken up into two parts. Not surprisingly, the first part is heavily focused on George's time in The Beatles. However, Scorsese does highlight Harrison's family and upbringing. Also each episode within the narrative of The Beatles receives a proper amount of attention. I did get a little nervous during the part about The Beatles time in Hamburg, Germany. I feared that Scorsese was not going to spell out the band dynamic at the time. But slowly he highlighted how at that time the band had an extra guitar player named Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best on drums. Also at that time, the band befriended two Germans named Klaus and Astrid. Eventually Stuart would start dating Astrid and take up painting. Ultimately he would stay in Hamburg with Astrid. I approve of Scorsese's portrayal of this period in The Beatles career. From there, he brings the focus on and off of George as the band grew and changed. He almost checks in on George's individual footsteps as The Beatles marched on toward taking their final walk across Abbey Road. Part one concludes with the recording of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Not too much longer into Part Two, The Beatles break up.
From there, the part of the film which would make or break it commences: Harrison's life as an individual, both musically and personally. There have been thousands of hundreds of books/movies written and made about The Beatles. The reason that this film was so high anticipated was because it was about George. The film does a fabulous job of tracking Harrison's budding individuality. The first chapter in this process comes early in Part Two while still a member of The Beatles. During a band trip to India, Harrison gets turned onto Hinduism. As the film correctly notes, he never gets turned off and continues his spiritual search. If a person wanted information about the spirituality of George Harrison presented in an attainable way, this film is the perfect choice. I was pleased with how Scorsese communicated this complicated yet captivating aspect of Harrison's character. His post-Beatles music career also receives such treatment. Phil Spector is brought in to speak about his involvement with Harrison's first solo record All Things Must Pass. The rest of his work from the 1970's is explored. Countless friends and fellow musicians are brought in for commentary. Overall that is a strength of the film; the people who knew George best speaking about George. For example, Paul McCartney, Pattie Boyd, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Tom Petty all contribute to the narrative. Truly George's circle of friends came together to celebrate his life.
Unfortunately, in that celebration there was a shortcoming in regard to the coverage of events after 1980. The shooting of John Lennon does flush out the feeling Harrison had about how John left his body. It was very interesting to learning that aspect of the murder of Lennon so troubled Harrison. However, the film seems rushed after that to reach the unfortunate death of Harrison. I do not know if Scorsese felt that his film was going to be too long, but a I feel that a little more attention should had paid to Harrison's 1987 album Cloud Nine. It is regarded as one the best of his later career. In addition it spawned his time in The Traveling Wilburys, another topic skimmed through. Lastly, the mid-1990's reunion of Harrison, Starr, and McCartney is not even mentioned in the movie. Only clips are briefly incorporated.
Despite this, the film ends in a concluding fashion. The film wraps up by covering three final events in his life. The first is his cancer diagnosis. A clip is seen of Harrison expressing his desire to a reporter of not wanting it to be a big a story. Second comes the attack on Harrison home in which he was stabbed and his wife Olivia was also attacked. Lastly, Harrison passes on. Olivia speaks of the passing by saying "that if the event were to be filmed, there would no need for lighting because he light up the room". The film ends and that sentiment transcends. Ending the movie with that statement works well for achieving the aim of the movie: capturing the
essence behind George Harrison. After watching the movie, I do not feel that it could better be put into words. He was a man so concerned with knowing
God rather than simply believing. Because of this film I can say the
same about George Harrison.
Please enjoy,
Nick Howard
