Film: Pearl Jam: Twenty

Director: Cameron Crowe
Genre: Documentary
Source: USA (2011)
Rating: R
Location/Format: Netflix Instant Watch
Grade: A-

I can't help but think your response to this documentary will be heavily based on how strongly you feel about Pearl Jam and their music. Having just attended a concert and re-immersed myself in their music in the weeks leading up to the show, Crowe's love letter documentary was a pretty great capper.

Crowe spends a lot of time looking at the band's early days and early incarnations (Mother Love Bone, Mookie Blaylock, etc.) as well as their impact. If he is wide-eyed and adoring at times (not really exploring much the backlash the band has faced or the lows as much as the highs), you can't really blame him. This is a film from a fan, after all, and if nothing else his interview does prompt the band members to open up and wax philosophical a few times.

Still, the film is really about what makes Pearl Jam speak to some people, and in that regard it's a rousing success. Lots of concert footage, lots of greatest hits tracks--and yes, some deep cuts also--make this a pretty good compilation of all the great work the band has done, even as it explores some of the deeper sources for that work.

Like most films about artists, this is about enthusiasm rather than real critical examination, but that doesn't make it any less worthwhile. Watching Eddie climb on the rigging, hearing the Spinal-Tap-esque tale of the drummers, seeing how these guys have grown apart and grown together--it's heart-filled and ultimately optimistic stuff. It celebrates the stuff that makes Pearl Jam stand out to fans--different set lists every night, the seeming humility of the band members, the desire to do things their own way.

Plus, there's track after track of incredible music.

As a fan, it's pretty great to see. Makes me want to track down tickets to another concert.