Review of Dig (2012) by Elle D — 25 Nov 2004

[font=Verdana]DiG! is quite possibly one of the most perfect documentaries I have ever seen. It is always entertaining, it is always a passionate retelling, it never takes sides in a situation, and it never lets up. It's also probably the most fun I've had watching a movie all year.

DiG! follows two rival indie bands throughout the course of seven years. The first band is the Dandy Warholes who are constantly described by various record execs as 'the next big thing' in the film. The other band is the superior, and infinitely more interesting, Brian Jonestown Massacre. The film is narrated by the lead singer of the Dandies, Courtney Taylor.

BJM and The Dandies live in two different worlds; the Danides live in a world where they hope to become successful, BJM lives in a world where drugs and music are the only essentials. Anton Newcombe, the lead singer for BJM, has the most screen time in the film. Anton is probably the most eclectic character I've seen in film this year; and he's an actual person. The man is a master of music, apparently being proficient with over 80 different instruments, he is a drug addict, and has poor people skills; even with his fellow band-mates (which I am sort of hesitant to refer to as his 'friends').

Anton is the kind of guy that seems like he's of some other world; he's overly egotistical and epitomizes the rock star nature perfectly. He indulges in drugs and has sporadic relationships with random women. He also contains one helluva stage presence, and possesses sheer unadulterated talent. In one standout scene, he constructs a song by himself; he plays drums, the tambourine, acoustic guitar, and even a children's xylophone that I'm sure most of us played with when we were young. He constructs a song that sounds great and wouldn't be considered to be made by one man.

Anton's personality is probably his best and worst asset. In a sense, Anton lives above everyone else in his own little world. He fights with fans, he fights with his managers, and he even fights with his own band-members (most cases onstage). When one key member leaves, he shrugs it off, and gets another. It seems hard to realize what matters to Anton and what doesn't. I can't help but think that the heroin mixed with the semi-fast lifestyle brought this on.

Anton is a fascinating character mainly because of his unpredictability. He simply propels the film and when he isn't on camera, the film isn't half of what it is when he's on it. The man demands attention. At first glance, this may seem annoying, but it's actually essential for the film to succeed.

As the film goes on, both bands go their separate ways. It seems that when one band is popular, the other is in the dumpster. By the end of the film, BJM is so far down that there doesn't seem to be anyway to get back up. [/font].

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[font=Verdana][font="]The great thing about Dig! is how it presents itself. Ondi never takes sides as many documentarians do. She simply lets the footage speak for itself. By doing this, it allows the viewer to gather their own opinion of the matter and makes for a more personable film. Many of the documentaries this year presented the facts, but left me cold emotionally (the fantastic [i]Corporation[/i] being one of them). DiG! did not do that. I cared about the people presented here. Ondi Timoner has created a film that just feels real. It doesn't feel manipulated in any sense of the word. What we have here is simply a chronicle of seven years of two independent bands and their failed attempt to create a musical revolution.

At the end of the day, DiG! is hilarious, powerful, and awe-inspiring. It's easily the best documentary of the year, and a frontrunner for my overall favorite film. DiG! is a blast, and can be enjoyed by everyone, whether you love music or hate it. If you are a film fanatic, or just a casual movie-goer, DiG! is for you. It's very accessible, so don't hesitate to sit back and enjoy it.

Just for God's sake, see the damn film.[/font][/font].