Review of Stoned (2005) by Rafaela S — 20 Apr 2009

For those who possibly do not know, and mostly for fans of Brian Jones, a warning: the film was indeed the product of an intense research. A survey of ten years, I tell 'ya! They interviewed, inclusively, Janet Lawson, the nurse, apparently missing, who was present at the time of the terrible tragedy.

They also interviewed Anna Wohlin, the then swedish girlfriend of our beloved idol. Yes, it was the result of perhaps the largest survey yet made of the murder of Jones. And they still made an inconsistent film, with all this material! Very ignorant regarding to the seducing, almost mythical figure of the unspeakable multi-instrumentalist.

Brian was a genius with an inestimable talent. Impulsive, impetuous and imprudent (characteristics of the great geniuses), has been decimated by the drugs. Actually, you can even say that Brian commited suicide.

Gradually, of course. I personally hate when bad informed people, based on one or two sources, blame Jagger and Richards for the process of destruction of Brian. Believe me, nothing there is true. Jagger was an invaluable friend.

Of immense concern. Keith, well, I don't need dwell on. Simply, the band, as an institution, couldn't dispose of the excesses of Brian. Or it would be degrading in itself -the band, I mean. In the film, this is not clear.

I felt even a tone of accusation against Keith. The fundamental character in Brian's deterioration has a name: Anita Pallenberg. I won't dwell on that, but anyone who has read at least two biographies of the Stones, have a formed sense about Anita.

She, an incatious person in her abuses. Led Brian and Keith to hell. You know what I'm talking about. Keith, smarter, bypassed her. Brian didn't have his chance. Got too much involved, and eventually exceeded himself.

Here, Anita, in contrast, is shown as a victim, they don't give her the exact value. The actress that plays her, Monet Mazur, although incredibly resembling Anita, is insipid, despite her appeal. Don't take me wrong, please.

I love Anita Pallenberg. It was one of the 60's It-Girl's, come on! But, unable to deal with those who didn't resist to her non-healthy influences. The most important topic to be discussed on this film: where the hell is the genius of Brian Jones here? The director, expert of the Swinging Sixties, I point out, focused in Brian's shadow.

His defects, his stains, his sin. And wasted the fundamental; his unbelivable talent. The genius and intelligence of Brian Jones are not shown here. Not even how he founded the group. They pass through the childhood of Brian, but always with focus on the dark aspects.

Brian was, above all, a charming mankind. Enthusiast, brilliant, creative and with a talent out of this world. Therefore, basically, I can not say, as a fan of the Stones and Brian Jones, that I approved the movie.

It's a film that deals purely with the MURDER of Jones, but is far from narrating Brian's life as a whole.