Review of Wesley Willis's Joyrides (2008) by Michael C — 06 Aug 2009

Tears nâ??Head-Butts: â??Wesley Willisâ??s Joyridesâ??

I knew a little about Wesley Willis: He had some funny songs, like â??Rock nâ??Roll McDonaldâ??s,â?? â??I Whooped Batmanâ??s Ass,â?? and â??Suck a Cheetahâ??s Dick.â?? I was aware that he was known for his meticulous Chicago landscapes, that he suffered from schizophrenia and used a Walkman as a self-prescribed remedy for the voices in his head. And I wondered if I should feel guilty for laughing at his songs; whether he was an exploited sideshow act, and other pussy liberal guilt pangs.

The documentarians, Chris Bagley and Kim Shively, follow the likable and sometimes volatile figure from his childhood, to his first successes in art, and through his musical career with The Fiasco, and then The Dragnews. If you had an ounce of condescension or pity for this man, leave that shit at the door. Crazy as he was, he knew what he was doing. Though he might not have been able to help himself out of it, he knew how people perceived his music and his mental state, and he made the most of it, with incredible results thatâ??ll turn your patronizing liberal guilt into reptilian capitalist envy in seconds flat.

Though his story ends tragically in 2003, it is overall an uplifting and inspiring one; about a unique individual who thrived in spite of flawed and disturbing circumstances.

Rock!

Rawl!