A drama based on Jimi Hendrix's life as he left New York City for London, where his career took off.
It can be a frustrating film if you are seeking fresh insights into Hendrix but occasionally it ignites, especially with a recreation of Hendrix’s legendary performance at the Saville Theatre, where he confronts two Beatles with his version of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Outkast’s André Benjamin looks the part, but his stilted performance is pure Razzie-bait, plus he’s 39. The film’s sole highlight sees Hendrix stand before an adoring crowd to play... ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.
Flawed but fascinating in an off-beat, groovy, weird, wise kind of a way.
Too little music and too much soap opera, including shocking scenes of physical abuse which the real Kathy hotly denies occurred, amount to Jimi: All Is By My Side being pants. Groovy purple bell bottoms, but still pants.
André Benjamin gives a fine performance as Hendrix in a meandering biopic, but it needs the punch of great music.
The power of this really comes through in the performance scenes, which are weirdly enhanced by the film’s inability to use original Hendrix compositions.
The hallucinogenic visuals are good, but the intimate detail of this Jimi Hendrix story never quite rings true.
Imogen Poots on her Jimi Hendrix biopic role
Cameo, Edinburgh from Friday October 24, 2014, until Thursday October 30, 2014. More info: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/
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