Review of Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (2007) by Kimberley L — 16 Oct 2007

The Future is Unwritten, isnâ??t just any music doco. Itâ??s a eulogy for a dearly departed friend. Temple takes us back through his own 8mm film reels of Strummer as a young upstart. The son of a diplomat grew up on the sounds of the world, and generated a love of all musical cultures - a love that would come to bear on his amazing career, both as a musician and radio presenter (of the BBCâ??s cult radio show London Calling).

Coupla things to be aware of: No-one is identified in this movie. So youâ??ve just got to guess the names & relevance of Strummerâ??s hundreds of past band mates. Temple himself shrugs it off in interviews saying that it's unfair to pigeon hole these characters with â??Band Mateâ?? â??Ex-girlfriendâ?? or â??Random Bystanderâ??. He may be right, but it does make the narrative a tad hard to follow. Thereâ??s also a lot of confusing stylistic choices in the movie â?? the use of strobe lighting and campfire-scenes for example. Though they do make sense in the conclusion. And then there is the many unusual celebrity interviews. Dear god, does Bono have nothing else to do with his time than appear in music docos?! Joining him is also Steve Buscemi and Johnny Depp (in full Pirates garb). Rumour has it that the 'celeb-inclusions' were not Temple's choice.

The Future is Unwritten may be long, confusing, unwieldy and a wee self-indulgentâ?¦ but itâ??s the intimacy and personal nature of it all that makes it the amazing experience that it is. Through the eyes of Strummer's friends and enemies, you feel as though youâ??re given a taste of the man and the impact he had on the world around him. Its inspiring, heartfelt and heartbreaking. Just as a eulogy should be.