If I Should Fall from Grace - The Shane MacGowan Story

If I Should Fall from Grace - The Shane MacGowan Story
by Sarah Share

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Movie Reviews of If I Should Fall from Grace - The Shane MacGowan Story

Movie Review: Oh demon alcohol, sad memories I can't recall...
Summary: 5 Stars

Unfortunately, the stereotypical tormented drunken Irish poet, the object of romantic fascination in his youth, whose talent inspires awe and envy, almost invariably becomes, if he lives long enough and learns little or nothing, an old, drunken, bloated, tedious, annoying, former poet, who hasn't written anything worth reading (or singing or hearing) in years. He may become the subject of a "whatever became of" DVD.

At this point, Shane MacGowan is probably an object of pity among many of his fans from his glory days, if they've noticed his current condition, which may inspire an uncomfortable guilt among many of them. They may believe they owe him allegiance because his self-destructiveness was an integral element of his performance, and to "abandon" him (as if someone is keeping score) would be wrong.

The younger fans who weren't around when he was compelling, and who refuse to let him go gently into that good night because they didn't get their fill, attend his performances, and cheer this shadow of his former self (check the age of the fans at what was then a fairly recent show that opened the movie). Had Shane MacGowan's reputation not elevated him to icon status, the younger fans probably would have seen him for what he was - a dissipated wreck who had lost his voice and his talent (the fact his front teeth are also, finally, completely gone probably also affects his ability to enunciate).

Note to self-destructive, tormented drunken Irish poets, and similar performers: When you intend to live fast, be bad, and leave a beautiful corpse, make sure you leave a beautiful corpse. Otherwise, you may become Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop or...Shane MacGowan, or one of the other relics who haunts us with memories of what they were, and what we were, 10-20 (or 30-35) years ago.

As I watched this movie I wondered, what happens when the cameras are off? Does he ever stop drinking? Does he ever become coherent? Do these people still tolerate him? Does he remember the lyrics to "Kitty" without pausing to search his memory?

The only time I've seen eyes as vacant as Shane MacGowan's (at the time this movie was made) are among stroke victims, punch-drunk former fighters, and victims of Alzheimer's Disease. He was in his early 40's then. What a harrowing lesson concerning the dangers of alcoholism and drug abuse. I shudder to think what the several years since this movie was made have done to him. What will the rest of his life be like?

Fifteen to 20 years ago I think I'd have enjoyed spending time with him (although this may be nothing more than embarrassing and frustrating celebrity worship). I wondered then and wonder now how someone so outlandish and self-destructive could write such beautiful and haunting lyrics, or even such enjoyably uproarious odes to drinking, bad women, and sea faring. Perhaps self-destruction is an element of all beautiful or entertaining art or entertainment.

Unfortunately, as the preacher said, when you're 20, you send boats out to sea. When you're 40, you go to the dock and unload them. Be careful what cargo you put on them. Youth covers up a lot of sins. One's "youth" (in that sense) is gone by 40.

At this point, I'm not sure I could spend more than 5 minutes with Shane MacGowan (at least as he appeared in the "current" portions of this movie). Beyond that, I don't think I'd have the patience to tolerate the tediousness of a self-absorbed drunk.

If you're a Pogues fan, you may enjoy this movie for the videos and/or concert film. Songs include "If I Should Fall From Grace With God," "Waxie's Dargle," "Streams of Whiskey," "Dirty Old Town," "The Irish Rover," "Fiesta," "Fairytale of New York," and "White City," as well as a couple of Popes songs from the mid-90's - "That Woman's Got Me Drinking" (with Johnny Depp, and some incredibly beautiful voluptuous women) and "Haunted" (featuring a duet with the remarkably lovely Sinead O'Connor with hair). I have no idea whether any of those videos or film clips were shown on MTV or anywhere other than in Europe, but they're worth the price of the DVD if you're a fan.

The Pogues songs were recorded 15-20 years ago, and the Popes songs about 10 years ago. If you watch this movie, you'll know why Shane MacGowan hasn't released anything worth hearing since. A sad waste of a once great talent.

Summary of If I Should Fall from Grace - The Shane MacGowan Story