Review of It Might Get Loud (2008) by Sarah C — 01 Jul 2010

Much more enjoyable than I was anticipating. Most of this had to do with direction and cinematography. See, this isn't your run of the mill fly on the wall documentary. Guggenheim is constructing his shots purposefully and is surely working with the guitarists to get the action he wants to see and get the stories he wants to hear.

One of the scams though, is this idea of a meeting of the minds. We're introduced to the concept right from the start... "In January 2008, three generations of guitar came together..." I reality, about 10 minutes of this film is of all three guitar players in a room together. And that includes the end credits jam. SPOILER ALERT: the play "The Weight". (which I can't believe isn't on 24-hour rotation on WTTS).

The rest of the film focus on their solo stories. Jack White comes out looking a bit like the self-ordained hero. He's artistic, emotional, dirty. He's got cheap beat up instruments and stands up for the anti-electronic. Although someone else may say he looks like he's faking the hipster cool guy role, and that would be fair too.

The Edge has a hilarious scene where he turns off the effect pedals and this booming landscape riff just sounds like two notes. I that was all that the director showed, it would be embarrassing, but we see more about Edge's search for tonal sound perfection.

Page is regal and fairly understated. He's grown old gracefully, still looks childishly amused when playing his favorite Link Wray record. I am concerned however, that he still, after 203 gazillion records sold, still gives a shit that Rolling Stone gave him bad reviews. Boo hoo. Blame Plant. I do.