Rattle and Hum (Bono, the Edge) for U2 fans, 1/2 for non-U2 fans
Since 1980, the Irish rock group U2 has played countless venues and released a good dozen or so albums. Their line-up has remained unchanged, consisting of Bono (vocals), the Edge (guitar), Larry Mullen Jr. (drums) and Adam Clayton (bass). Their sound, while distinct, has never settled for average creativity, and while they have sometimes skidded off the path (see 1997's Pop), they remain one of the best mainstream bands around, if only because their love of music is never in question.
In 1989, U2 released -- perhaps prematurely -- a documentary of their experiences while touring The Joshua Tree. The result was Rattle and Hum, a double album and also a full-length feature directed by Phil Joanou. The movie captures the band at what remains to this day their apex, an international phenomenon thanks to hits such as "With or Without You" and "Where the Streets Have No Name". Filmed mostly in black and white, then eventually in colour near the end, U2 is depicted here as a live band who relied more on substance than flair in this, their pre-Zoo TV days. The result is captivating for fans of the band, but will be a long and difficult experience for new initiates.
The biggest problem with the documentary is obvious -- it is far too impersonal. It exclusively chronicles the music and, if that's your cup of tea, then you'll be happy to hear the gamut of classic hits (including versions of "Desire" and "Angel of Harlem" with alternate lyrics), which are exquisitely filmed and exhaustively edited. However, U2 comes across as an impregnable group, with only one truly personal sequence, when Larry Mullen Jr. talks about how empty he feels when he sees Elvis Presley's grave in Graceland ("Heartland"). Even here though, his angst seems guarded and hollow, and we never find out what really makes U2 tick.
From a musical standpoint, the movie is a cornucopia of styles and blends. The movie opens with a kicking cover of "Helter Skelter", and other covers briefly include Van Morrison's "Gloria" and two Rolling Stones tracks sandwiched amid U2 songs. There's also gospel ("I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"), street corner ragtime ("Freedom for My People"), and blues ("When Love Comes to Town" with B.B. King). The band turns most political on the tracks "Silver and Gold", "MLK", and "Sunday Bloody Sunday", which are stark reminders that they've never really gone back to that open kind of didacticism since.
Rattle and Hum the album is actually my favourite in the U2 canon. Favourite tracks include "Van Diemen's Land", "Angel of Harlem", "All I Want is You" (here, disappointingly used as end credits material), and "Heartland". The movie is thankfully energetic and kinetic, but pretty much only works provided you like the band to begin with. Otherwise, you'll find yourself experiencing more hum than rattle.
