Despite being a biopic of Jimi Hendrix, this film contains none of his songs. The Hendrix estate were apparently not too keen on the film being made and refused director John Ridley (producer of 12 Years a Slave) permission to use any.
This perhaps informed Ridley's decision to set the film in the early years of Hendrix's career (1966-67), a time when the guitarist more or less only played covers of other people's songs; songs whose rights were presumably easier to get. These songs, covered by the lead actor Andre Benjamin (a.k.a Outkasts's Andre 3000) form the bulk of the soundtrack.
It is perhaps a little unfitting that a biopic of one of the most original guitarists in history should have a soundtrack comprised solely of covers of covers, but Ridley's script is evocative enough and his actors sufficiently convincing that the film is able to conjure up an authentic portrait of Hendrix's London.
In fact, the limitations that were put on Ridley by the Hendrix estate's refusal to co-operate might have even made it a better film. A number of critics have argued that by confining the action to a mere twelve months Ridley has created a portrait of Hendrix that is a lot more focused than a fully blown biopic would have been.
'66-'67 was a decisive twelve months in Hendrix's career: it was during this period that Hendrix met his manager Chas Chandler, moved to London and laid the foundations for what would become his astonishing career. Everybody knows where Hendrix's career ultimately went, but it's a tale not often told how it all began, before it was driven out of control by drink and drugs.
Andre Benjamin's performance is startlingly realistic. It ought to have been, given the amount of work he put in. Benjamin spent months pouring over video footage of Hendrix, trying to nail down his mannerisms and tone of voice, regularly seeing voice coaches to help perfect his delivery. He had to learn how to play the guitar like the world's greatest guitarist. And not just that; he had to learn how to play it, like Hendrix, left handed. This film is certainly a feat of actorly prowess on the part of Benjamin, and is worth seeing for his performance alone.
Whilst it's difficult not to miss Hendrix's actual songs during the course of film, All is By My Side deals well with its limitations and it won't leave Hendrix fans disappointed.
This perhaps informed Ridley's decision to set the film in the early years of Hendrix's career (1966-67), a time when the guitarist more or less only played covers of other people's songs; songs whose rights were presumably easier to get. These songs, covered by the lead actor Andre Benjamin (a.k.a Outkasts's Andre 3000) form the bulk of the soundtrack.
It is perhaps a little unfitting that a biopic of one of the most original guitarists in history should have a soundtrack comprised solely of covers of covers, but Ridley's script is evocative enough and his actors sufficiently convincing that the film is able to conjure up an authentic portrait of Hendrix's London.
In fact, the limitations that were put on Ridley by the Hendrix estate's refusal to co-operate might have even made it a better film. A number of critics have argued that by confining the action to a mere twelve months Ridley has created a portrait of Hendrix that is a lot more focused than a fully blown biopic would have been.
'66-'67 was a decisive twelve months in Hendrix's career: it was during this period that Hendrix met his manager Chas Chandler, moved to London and laid the foundations for what would become his astonishing career. Everybody knows where Hendrix's career ultimately went, but it's a tale not often told how it all began, before it was driven out of control by drink and drugs.
Andre Benjamin's performance is startlingly realistic. It ought to have been, given the amount of work he put in. Benjamin spent months pouring over video footage of Hendrix, trying to nail down his mannerisms and tone of voice, regularly seeing voice coaches to help perfect his delivery. He had to learn how to play the guitar like the world's greatest guitarist. And not just that; he had to learn how to play it, like Hendrix, left handed. This film is certainly a feat of actorly prowess on the part of Benjamin, and is worth seeing for his performance alone.
Whilst it's difficult not to miss Hendrix's actual songs during the course of film, All is By My Side deals well with its limitations and it won't leave Hendrix fans disappointed.
| What | All Is By My Side |
| Where | Various Locations | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Leicester Square (underground) |
| When |
24 Oct 14 – 24 Nov 14, 12:00 AM |
| Price | £Various |
| Website | Click here for more information. |
