Year: 2020
Director: Mike Figgis
Is there a more cheery, affable figure in the world of rock than Ronnie Wood? This film would certainly suggest not, lauded by friends, family and fellow musicians alike, no one has a bad word to say about him. The film dips in and out of his life, covering family, music, painting, and of course drink and drugs. Along the way we hear from some of the key artists he’s worked with over the years – Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart and various Stones among others. Oddly, there’s just the one clip of him performing with the Stones, although it’s apparent from comments by Keith Richards and Charlie Watts just how functional as an alcoholic and an addict Wood still was. Even Jagger concedes the band became much more ‘good-timey’ after his arrival in their ranks in the mid seventies. His personal life also gets its fair share of screen time, including his well documented run in with cancer, although his previous wives and their children don’t merit so much as a mention. A shortish film that’s interesting to watch once, but that you’re unlikely to return to too often. The DVD is rounded out with some footage of a solo show, which seems to be one of those occasions that you had to be there on the night rather than watching a replay of the action later.
Might appeal to people who enjoyed:
Rockumentaries – this is an intriguing rather than riveting delve into the seemingly charmed life of one of the rock world’s great survivors.
Maligned by some elements of The Stones fan base because he isn’t Mick Taylor, but since approx 2000 I have seen him step up to the plate in live performances and help to carry the band, especially when Keith is having an off night. His autobiography was awful, hope this is better.