I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About Wilco
by Sam Jones (IV)
List Price:
Our Price: $24.99
You Save: $1.99 (7%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $9.99 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Glenn Kotche, Jay Bennett (III), Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Leroy BachDirector: Sam Jones (IV)
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Black & White, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-04-01
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Plexifilm
Movie Reviews of I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About Wilco
Movie Review: Fricke's Picks
Summary: 4 Stars
Although Yankee Hotel Foxtrot has been among my top-ten records of all time since I picked up a copy shortly after its initial release, I waited almost 5 years to see this documentary film about the album (released in 2003). Why? For one thing, the album speaks very loudly and boldly for itself. When I heard about the documentary I was resistant to add any more information to the process of understanding this album for fear of detracting from the experience. However this week I finally caved. The album has grown with me so much over time I really wanted to learn more about its creation.
I am hardly an objective viewer and I think I would have enjoyed any film containing the music from the album, but there were some elements that really stood out to make the viewing experience impactful. First was the footage of the band's creative process, developing the material as a unit. I was surprised in fact how well the band interacted as a group (at least at first), when I had always thought of Tweedy as more of a type-A. Additionally, live footage abounded, and there were some very nice performances of "Being There"-era material that reminded me why that album was so much fun. Despite the new emphasis on deconstructionism, the band never lost its ability to "rock" in a more conventional sense. I think this speaks highly for their versatility. Further, David Fricke (of Rolling Stone) and others contributed some very thought-provoking discussion of the clash between art and commerce in the modern music industry. The struggles surrounding this album can in fact be seen as a microcosm of a larger problem impacting artistically ambitious musicians in an era where the public's attention span for such things is shrinking. This in fact points the way towards the rise of indie labels devoted to "career artists" which seems to be occurring right now. Finally, the film had a distinct plot with obstacles to overcome (the band being dropped by its label) and a happy ending (owning creative rights to an album funded by a large label and essentially selling it back to them at a higher cost). In true rock n roll fashion, Wilco "stuck it to the man."
The drawbacks? The main one was the focus on the falling out between Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett. It was hilarious to see Bennett's explanation of the ouster (a defensive statement boiling down to: "Tweedy was threatened by my brilliance") yet it also cast him in the worst light possible, lampooning his arrogance to make it seem almost cartoonish. I am sure there was more to the story than we were shown. Additionally, Jeff and Jay's discussion over the details of the sounds coming through the mixing boards was excruciating (and fortunately pretty short). It reminded me of watching my parents argue when I was a kid - they obviously both saw the world from a different perspective and it seemed like they just weren't going to see eye-to-eye on certain things. I can see why Jeff had to throw up after that discussion, I wanted to as well. This part was a little too close to reality TV drama for my liking.
However this is small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, and the film did achieve its purpose - to help the viewer gain more perspective on the album and the process of its development. It also cast the band in a very human light, as fundamentally regular people working together to create a significant artistic statement. I learned a lot about Jeff Tweedy and crew but not so much so as to make me feel like some kind of voyeur - in other words, the band's personal life was largely left untouched and the focus was placed where it should have been - squarely on the music. And what music it was.
Summary of I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About Wilco
This splendid documentary captures the band Wilco's struggles (both with their record company and within the band itself) while recording their album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is completely engrossing, whether or not you are familiar with the band. As they work on the album, there's some tension between singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy and bandmate Jay Bennett, but overall the band members are happy and enjoying exploring their music. But when they turn in the finished songs, their record label drops them, leaving them adrift with the album that promises to be a huge artistic leap. For fans of Wilco, this gorgeously photographed movie will be a thrilling look at the life of the band and Tweedy's creative process; but even novices will be drawn into the contrasts between art and commerce brought out by the conflict. --Bret FetzerMusic Video & Concerts DVD Video
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in 10 Must-See Films About Musicians & Bands
Jimmy Scott - If You Only KnewRelease date: 2005-01-11; DVD
Best price: $14.62
Price in other shops:
Searching for the Wrong-Eyed JesusRelease date: 2006-03-14; DVD
Best price: $12.15
Price in other shops:
The Flaming Lips - The Fearless FreaksRelease date: 2005-05-17; DVD
Best price: $11.30
Price in other shops:
Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love MeUNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP DISTRIBUTION; Release date: 2006-03-14; DVD
Best price: $15.96
Price in other shops:
Benjamin SmokeRelease date: 2003-01-21; DVD
Best price: $48.98
Loudquietloud - A Film About the PixiesRelease date: 2006-11-07; DVD
Best price: $3.75
Price in other shops:
I Want to Destroy AmericaPATHFINDER HOME ENTERTAINMENT; Release date: 2008-06-03; DVD
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops:
DiG!Release date: 2005-04-12; DVD
Best price: $15.00
Price in other shops:
The Devil and Daniel JohnstonSony; Release date: 2006-09-19; DVD
Best price: $12.67
Price in other shops:
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About WilcoRelease date: 2003-04-01; DVD
Best price: $10.98
Price in other shops:
Similar DVD Movies
Wilco - Being ThereRelease date: 1996-10-29; Music CD
Best price: $11.25
Price in other shops:
Wilco - Kicking Television: Live in ChicagoRelease date: 2005-11-15; Music CD
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops:
Billy Bragg & Wilco - Man in the Sand (The Making of "Mermaid Avenue")Release date: 2001-03-27; DVD
Best price: $14.25
Price in other shops:
Wilco - yankee hotel foxtrotRelease date: 2002-04-23; Music CD
Best price: $8.94
Price in other shops:
Wilco - SummerteethRelease date: 1999-03-09; Published: 1999; Music CD
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops:
Wilco - Sky Blue SkyRelease date: 2007-05-15; Music CD
Best price: $7.38
Price in other shops:
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (CD/ DVD)Release date: 2007-05-15; Music CD
Best price: $16.94
Price in other shops:
Wilco: Learning How to Dieby Greg Kot
Broadway; Published: 2004-06-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.17
Price in other shops:
The Wilco Book (with CD)by Wilco, Dan Nadel, Peter Buchanan-Smith, Rick Moody, Fred Tomaselli
PictureBox, Inc.; Published: 2004-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops:
Jeff Tweedy - Sunken Treasure - Live in the Pacific NorthwestWEA DVD; Release date: 2006-10-24; DVD
Best price: $12.86
Price in other shops: