This is not a failing of the documentary as I don't think any revelatory new angles or expositions could have been expected. As intense and personal as it is there are no major revelatory insights into the life or death of Kurt Cobain in this documentary. When Frances Bean is born his love for her is touching but then the videos also reveal the declining health as the heroin addiction spirals. It's excruciating to watch but compelling too- a couple wrapped up in each other but also in their drug dependency. Home videos himself and Courtney produced, both while pregnant with, and then after Frances Bean was born similarly get us up-close and personal. Much of the writing is angry and nihilistic but there are lots of lists too- of things to do for example it all suggests a wildly active mind and one not easy to keep a rein on. It's the closest place the director can bring us, next to occupying Kurt's mind. It's noticeable how often for instance on screen we are shown up-close, his own words in his hand-writing in the original copybook complete with stains and other words and sentences crossed out. This heavy reliance on this intimate source material makes for an intense portrayal of the subject. The expectation of access to intimate home videos as well as Kurt's own drawings, writing, outpourings etc and other previously unseen footage bringing with it the possibility of gaining a clearer view on Kurt Cobain's life is probably the thing which will entice most viewers to go see this. His parents, sister, wife- Courtney Love, first girlfriend and fellow band member Chris Novoselic (the third band member Dave Grohl is the notable absentee) have all contributed, allowing themselves to be interviewed. His daughter Frances Bean is an executive producer. It has been made with the co-operation of his family. This is the first official documentary made about the life of Kurt Cobain. Given what I already knew about the mental difficulties and addiction problems Kurt faced during his short life and the eventual sad outcome it was hard to believe that anything of a positive nature could be wrung from seeing this. Although I had been eagerly awaiting this documentary, at the same time I approached it with a wariness more than half expecting it to be a depressing encounter. It's 21 years since Kurt Cobain's death by suicide and his status as a legendary alternative rock figure and totem for a disaffected generation has not dimmed in the intervening period.
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