New York Doll

I was lucky enough to catch this movie as part of the Talk Cinema series at The Bridge Cinema De Lux in Los Angeles. I am certain I never would have gone to see this movie if it weren't part of the program and I was even cynical for the first 15 minutes or so. But once you see Arthur Kane and hear him speak you quickly become drawn to him. He is such a quiet, mild-mannered guy of few words but what he does say is usually profound. You are rooting for him from the start even though it seems that the best of his years ended over 2 decades ago. It is interesting to see Arthur's relationship with the Mormon church as result of what appears to be a very sad, drug-addicted life. He finds new purpose in the church and a new job helps suppress some old demons. The director, Greg Whitely, is smart not to make this a Mormon propaganda piece but adding that aspect of Arthur's life makes him come across as a normal guy who just happened to come into fame as a young man and come into a spiritual awakening as an older man. There was a Q&A with the director and producer after the movie and their passion for their subject is obvious and it comes across in the film. Arthur is such a tremendously likable man and even though you may not like rock music, or care about the 70's punk scene (Many of those in attendance admitted they thought that they would not like this movie)you come to care about him and the chance of him possibly tasting fame just one more time. This is an excellent documentary and unlike a lot of Michael Moore films and Moore knock-offs, you never feel a heavy hand pushing the film to make you feel one way or another. The story unravels and it is genuinely compelling. This will likely be in extremely limited release in NY and LA with hopes of making a run for Best Doc Oscar and DVD sales...but do yourself a favor and seek out this film.

What an enchanting little slice of wish-fulfillment cinema -- I love, love, love it. The thing is, this is not a saccharine Hollywood screenplay, Disneyfied for your viewing pleasure -- it is a real-life fairy tale inhabited by defiant glam rockers and blessed with a glorious racket of a soundtrack. Quirky, charming Arthur Kane guilelessly lays out his life for our examination -- his brief, joyous days of fame, fortune, and fabulous platform boots; his years of remorse and despair, boozing amid the ruins of youthful dreams; the healing peace of his newfound faith; and finally his giddy return to the beginning, as he finds himself in leather pants once again, this time viewing his fame and friendships with a wisdom, humor, and gratitude dearly bought over long years of struggle and spiritual redemption.

He is not so very remarkable, really, and that is what sets this piece apart from rockumentaries and gives it a warmth and depth that is lacking in that worshipful genre. Though he spent years living as a rock god, Arthur knows at age 55 that his long-ago life of fame was a gift, not an entitlement, and that he squandered it. Every audience member with a regret becomes invested in Arthur's story. He speaks frankly of his gratitude to God for lifting his sights and hopes again, but admits that the past haunts him even so. That mixture of peace and aching rings true and keeps this film human and honest even as we trail behind him, wide-eyed, watching him stumble gleefully on old joys and bravely confront his demons. There is a contented, bemused look in his eyes as he basks in the happiness of his reunion with friend and bandmate David Johansen while simultaneously parrying David's playful jabs at the finer points of Arthur's conservative Mormon faith. Gone is the glazed, drunken stare of his early days -- he now knows who he is and what he has and drinks every last drop with sober joy.

I take it back -- Arthur is really QUITE remarkable. Not because he and his friends were the toast of New York and London twice in one lifetime, but because he learns to see things as they really are, whether standing at the bottom of the heap or at the top -- an achievement that is easily as rare as rock and roll fame.

New York Doll is a winsome, moving film, and every time I think of it, it makes me smile.

First, I confess that I never "got" The New York Dolls.

Second, this is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen.

The film is a bittersweet, understated but fascinating portrayal of Arthur Kane, the one-time degenerate New York Doll bass player turned Mormon, as he prepares for a reunion concert with his former band mates, and, as it turns out, a far more important gig. The filmmaker treats all of the subjects(including Morrissey, David Johanssen, numerous LDS members, the LDS Church itself, and most of all, Kane) with dignity and respect, and without judgment. The film's unstated message of tolerance and understanding makes this worth watching by all.

Forget Dig! and the Ramones Doc from last year, this is the Rock doc that you need to see. It is an examination of the New York Doll's Bass Player Arthur "Killer" Kane, and his transformation from rock-bottom alcoholic depressive to born-again Mormon. The film then goes into standard Rock Doc territory showing the history of the band and interviews from surviving band members and historians and similar artists and prodigy's.

But it goes beyond that as it examines his new zest for life, and his longing to reconnect with the remaining members of the dolls to play and reconcile. Just like it is read by his ex-wife in a passage from his book of Mormon, if you pray and ask for something in faith the lord willing will grant it. And shocking enough he gets that miraculous chance to unite at a festival in London.

Other shocking things occur which lead to a tear-jerking and uplifting finale. Now this is a rock doc for fans and their families to watch together. It is almost completely non-offensive (The film-maker I believe is Mormon) and at the same time educational, heartfelt, and completely human.

Lead and held together by fun graphics, and fitting music as well as interviews from close Mormon friends and rock friends of Kane's you see a powerful tale of the importance of finding some kind of meaning in life, whether it be philosophical or spiritual and miracles can happen. This film could not have been any better, proof once again that fact is more astonishing and acts as a better narrative then fiction.

Even if you know nothing about The New York Dolls you will likely enjoy this touching documentary. The subject Arthur "Killer" Kane is exceedingly likable and the filmmaker tells his story with an affectionate earnestness and irony that is uncommon.

The film succeeds as a documentary, but also as a movie, in as much as it has all of the elements of a good story; a beginning a middle and an end; a protagonist, an antagonist, redemption, humor and humanity.

The music, although not the focus of this film, is fine as well.

I understand that Blender Magazine recently named New York Doll as the 25th (out of 100) best rock movies of all time. For good reason.