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Release Date: December 2nd, 2005 (NYC-Angelika Film Center) by Palm Pictures. Directed by Margaret Brown. BASIC PREMISE: A documentary about Townes Van Zandt who sang and wrote his own folk music until his death in 1997. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: The opening scene hooks you into Townes Van Zandt’s great music with his song “At My Window”. Although you don’t get to watch him sing it, instead you focus on the beautiful words while tree branches fly by against the sunlit sky from a moving vehicle. Director Margaret Brown uses archival footage of interviews with Van Zandt as well as footage of him singing which allows you to fully grasp what all the fuss is about him. Van Zandt suffered from alcoholism along with other problems such as sniffing airplane glue and taking drugs which led him to the hospital for intensive shock treatment. His wife claims that the shock treatment only caused more him more troubles, but one thin remains clear: he always loved to write and sing folks songs. Instead of focusing on his problems, Be Here to Love Me focuses more on what makes him so unique and influential. Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson both speak very highly of him. You also get direct interviews with Van Zandt himself back in the 1970’s. Despite being show in digital video, the camera maintains fluid movements throughout and even some wonderful cinematography without causing any nausea. Ultimately, this is a lively and warm tribute to a very talented, yet underrated icon in folk music history SPIRITUAL VALUE: In an insightful scene, Van Zandt ponders why his songs are so sad. He claims that his songs are not particularly sad, but they simply are what they are, just like life itself. His tender songs generate many different feeling. You can certainly tell that he has plenty of emotion through his voice. The most moving scenes are when his children regret that their father is not alive today—but at least his soul will always remain alive through his music. INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: None. NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 0 THE BOTTOM LINE: A warm, tender, and loving tribute to Townes Van Zandt! RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: Movie Theater (1st Run) Main Page Alphabetical Menu The "B" Menu ______________________________________________________ |
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