The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir

Truly Bob Weir has a colorful story, starting with The Merry Pranksters at age 16 and continuing through three decades of the Dead. Avid Deadheads will love this film. Unfortunately for this fan, Bob concentrates on his role as Jerry's buddy, the chick magnet of the band and the vegan spiritualist survivor. Other than Garcia's health problems, he glosses over conflict within The Dead, including efforts of other band members to dismiss him and Pigpen as musically weak. There's not much music in the film and the band's change in musical direction hardly gets mentioned. It's okay; The Dead was and will always be special, but this documentary doesn't fill the bill.

The life and times of Bob Weir, Grateful Dead guitarist and vocalist.

Good, but a bit flat. Covers the history of Bob Weir well, especially the Grateful Dead years (as you would hope). Reasonably interesting interviews with Weir and other people. Quite emotional too at times.

However, doesn't ever elevate beyond interesting. There's no spark, or something revolutionary in the story-telling, to make this brilliant.

So if you grew up in the early 70s you already know; you either loved them or hated them. No in- between. I for one didn't care for the ideology of the cult - did like some music for sure but you were either all in or all out mostly. Unfortunately I saw too many lives get too far side tracked for their own good. Enjoyed the story of Bob Weir which you don't often hear since Garcia would normally be featured in documentaries. To hear the story from Bob Weir himself is very interesting and how his life changed after having a family is enlightening and a happy ending overall making you feel good and worth to watch.

My 200th review here had to be about this fantastic band and this great musician who rocked the world during 30 years. Those who like the band enjoyed every little second of the movie. Those who still don't know Weir / GD have here a great chance to change this.

Watch the film and listen to the band!

PS: Once the film ended I researched more about Garcia and discovered today (1st August) would be his 76th brithday!!!

Band documentaries are tough, because you want to hear the music and see 30+ years of historical footage, but also hear the story telling and interviews. This documentary does a good job balancing, and doesn't tiptoe around the drugs and lifestyle.