Review of New York Doll (2005) by John M — 23 Feb 2010
A bit amateurish in construction, but this is happenstance documentary-making, pure right-place right-time guerrilla stuff. Not for punk freaks but for fairy-tale fans.
Imagine discovering that the damaged stoop-shouldered schlub at church was once a RAWK STAR (of sorts). You turn on your camera to make the 3rd act of a great Behind the Music episode, documenting how modest gifts returned incredible rewards quickly squandered. Your subject descends into substance abuse and an odd love/hate relationship with the increasingly odd but rather visible singer before bottoming out (literally!) and finding Joseph Smith. Now he's the guy on the bus going to his mundane copy-guy job at the library, regaling the old ladies with his war stories. He prays for another shot at/with the Dolls.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. Morrisey brings the survivors together and they have some shaky rehearsals and a grand reunion show. Killer Kane's fondest dreams have been realized, and then suddenly....
This review of New York Doll (2005) was written by John M on 23 Feb 2010.
New York Doll has generally received very positive reviews.
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