Amazon.com: This splendid documentary captures the band Wilco's struggles (both with their record company and within the band itself) while recording their album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is completely engrossing, whether or not you are familiar with the band. As they work on the album, there's some tension between singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy and bandmate Jay Bennett, but overall the band members are happy and enjoying exploring their music. But when they turn in the finished songs, their record label drops them, leaving them adrift with the album that promises to be a huge artistic leap. For fans of Wilco, this gorgeously photographed movie will be a thrilling look at the life of the band and Tweedy's creative process; but even novices will be drawn into the contrasts between art and commerce brought out by the conflict. --Bret Fetzer
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Rating: - Wilco fights the good fight
Being a fan of the band Wilco (and Jeff Tweedy's previous band, Uncle Tupelo), I really enjoyed this documentary. I remember waiting for the 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot' CD to be released and hearing all about the studio problems that delayed it's release for over a year. This movie chronicles that time period, and the fight Jeff Tweedy and the band had trying to battle the labels efforts to change their music to be more "hit oriented". When the album was finally released on an indie label (after the band bought back the rights from the major label), it was a huge critical success. There was vindication for Tweedy and the band. Highly recommended to fans of Wilco, or to those that are interested in seeing a behind-the-scenes look at the current state of the music industry. I applaud Wilco for sticking to their principals with their music, and I remain a fan. Beautifully filmed in black and white.
Rating: - Bad Documentary with Good Music
I was fortunate enough to be at the world premier and have just recently tried making it through this film again. Years later, it's not any better than it was the first time. I love Wilco and all the songs so that part of the film is great. Any Wilco fan will eat up all the fantastic performance footage.
It's just not a very good documentary. My general feeling is that Sam Jones approached this as a fan and didn't want to do anyhing that would jeopardize his filming access especially when everything changed with the band lineup and record label. As a result there's nothing here that seems like it wasn't Jeff Tweedy approved. Interviews with the other band members and differing opinions are practically non-existent. John Stirratt in particularly seems surprisingly absent considering how long he's played with Jeff and how many band members he's seen come and go. Jay's actual firing is missing which ... Read More
Rating: - Don't call us, Wilco you
I'm pretty new to Wilco. Still in that phase where every fresh exposure is exciting, a revelation. So I'm ill-equipped to say how good this look behind the scenes actually is. To me, it's incredible. I've been listening to YHF for about a year, and complete familiarity with the work still eludes me. Luckily, because it's that fresh sound that brought me to the band in the first place. Anyway, I'm still completing my YHF thesis, and this is the ultimate study sheet. The boys, experimenting with the songs on creation, even as I experiment with them on consumption. It's too much, riches beyond belief.
I haven't investigated the genesis of this project, but it appears that the filmmakers were extremely lucky. What should have been just another band profile wound up having an arc -- not just one, but two major (and completely unforeseeable) plot points. The fiasco with WB and Wilco's new album, and the ... Read More
Rating: - Fricke's Picks
Although Yankee Hotel Foxtrot has been among my top-ten records of all time since I picked up a copy shortly after its initial release, I waited almost 5 years to see this documentary film about the album (released in 2003). Why? For one thing, the album speaks very loudly and boldly for itself. When I heard about the documentary I was resistant to add any more information to the process of understanding this album for fear of detracting from the experience. However this week I finally caved. The album has grown with me so much over time I really wanted to learn more about its creation.
I am hardly an objective viewer and I think I would have enjoyed any film containing the music from the album, but there were some elements that really stood out to make the viewing experience impactful. First was the footage of the band's creative process, developing the material as a unit. I was surprised in fact how ... Read More
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- Wilco fights the good fight
- Bad Documentary with Good Music
- Don't call us, Wilco you
