Movie Review

Wilco: I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (2002)

Yet another documentary about a band. That's about the best that can be said for it. The filmmaker, Sam Jones, goes in for every trite convention of the genre, and manages in almost every scene, to make the sum less than than its parts. I love Wilco's music, but this film didn't capture anything interesting about five talented guys who make it happen.

In fact, there is a constant TMI quality. Sam tells us everything we don't want to know. From following Jeff Tweedy into a bathroom stall to witness the emptying of his nervous stomach to listening to band members carp with each other over differences in communication styles, Sam exhibits a tin ear for storytelling. At every turn he present us with steaming platters of trivialities. He misses the heart, entirely - so there is no chance of breaking it. Even the title of this film is badly chosen.

When you see a documentary as bad as this one it really makes you appreciate the deft touch and editing saavy of people who do know how to tell a story. Born Into Brothels is Nanook of the North by comparison. Don't bother to rent I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. You'll learn more interesting facts about Wilco from simply listening to one of their CDs.