Review of Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (2007) by Joel J — 09 Oct 2008

I actually only got to see the first 3/4th of this powerful documentary, but I'm convinced that it didn't just take a nose dive in the end. This was the first doc. I've had the priviledge to see from English filmmaker Julien Temple (Filth and the Fury: Sex Pistols), and I definetly plan to see some more. His use of archived Strummer radio clips and his musical influences throughout the movie made for a much more organic piece than if the work had been sheerly inundated with old footage and the rehashed memories of those that were there. The film actually becomes sort of a manifestation of a 60's and 70's poverty stricken England that is remarkably veral. I really had know idea what Joe meant to the working class (even Nationalist) British population of this time - he was truly the anti-hero of a very unsettling era. With commentary from Flea, Johnny Depp, Bono, and more; this is a really powerful message to be absorbed. If you enjoy punk rock at all, or even are interested in the ins-and-outs of political unrest, then I think this one might really move you.

-8.0.