This is another documentary that proves that this genre of film is only at its best when it tells a story well, just like any other kind of film. The film bills itself as a behind the scenes look at the making of U2's "Achtung Baby". If it were that, it would be woefully incomplete and unsatisfying. However, if one takes a look at what this film is really about, the viewer will find a very captivating and satisfying story. It is a reflection not only on the artists who make up the band U2, but it also has a lot to say about art itself.
"The Joshua Tree", U2's seminal work, came out in 1987, when I was 12. The album was everywhere. I heard some of its songs without having the album because they were so inescapable. I remember my dad listening to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" on the car radio, and us discussing the song. The album went on to win the Grammy for best album and catapulted U2 into super stardom. At this point, the band members were in their late 20's, and they were learning to deal with this level of fame. They were very earnest, and their political beliefs and sympathies were on full display at their shows. As the 80's drew to a close, it was clear to them that if they did not go in a different direction soon, they might become boring, both to themselves and to their fans.
The band decided to go to Berlin and try something new. They were under the influence of European electronic rock, and they were looking for a new direction for their music. As they begin, they are unable to find a way forward together. The drummer and the bass player feel that they shouldn't change things, since they have had so much success. The lead singer and guitarist seemed frustrated that they could not communicate their vision to their band mates. Old recordings coupled with interviews with the band members and the producers give us a structure to the narrative of the making of this album. When things seem the most hopeless, the band begins to play around with a bridge for one of its songs, and they use that bridge to write another different song. The original song became one of their biggest hits ("Mysterious Ways"), while the song that came from the bridge went on to become not only one of their classic works, but one of the great rock ballads ever ("One").
But there is more to it than that. Here, we see a story of 4 coworkers who are at odds and they come together to build something beautiful. In the last couple of months, I have been listening to the song "One" a lot. It is a beautiful song, mainly because it is honest about the fact that people are not unified. We are "One" people, but since there is so much that divides us we are not the same. However, we must work together to find a way forward. This is a different kind of idealism. It is an idealism born out of realism. The story of the writing of "One" parallels what the band is going through, but it also makes a bigger statement about humanity.
The film also boasts some wonderful moments about the artistic process. The highlight of the film is the band members listening to the "One" sessions, and commenting on what is going on in the recordings. These moments show us a lot about how U2 writes their songs. For those of us who love U2 as a band, these moments provide some great texture. They give us a picture to go along with the phrase we see on all of U2's albums ("All songs by U2").
I have read some criticisms of this movie. One is that in trying to show how they escaped taking themselves too seriously, the band members take themselves too seriously. I think that criticism is unfounded. For example, if someone were making a documentary of my life, part of what they would see is that I take my job in groceries seriously. It may seem that I take it too seriously, but in my world, groceries play a big role (I work at Trader Joe's, for those of you who don't know). So here, the seriousness with which they discuss their work may not necessarily be pomposity, but simply an acknowledgement that they take their craft seriously, but maybe not themselves. Having seen and heard much of their work, it would seem that the band members that make up U2 still acknowledge their egos, but also have a gift for self deprecation. They seem to be some of the most down to earth rockers you will find, in spite of the egos that are clearly on display in this film.
In the end, as I mentioned above, the movie tells a great story. This documentary has a classic dramatic structure. There is a conflict, a crisis, a climax and a resolution. These are the elements that make up any good story, and they are on full display here. To see this story is touching. It is good to remember that these 4 musicians who have so much still have to work very hard to accomplish something in their line of work. In that way, they don't seem that much different from me, or anyone else.
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