If I Should Fall from Grace: The Shane MacGowan Story

There's no VH1 Behind the Music episode dealing with Shane MacGowan or the Pogues, so this perhaps comes the closest to such an animal. It's a frank look at Shane, and what has gotten him to this stage in life where he's an Irish icon, but in a constant state of drunkenness and God knows what else. It also details his amazing songwriting over the years, and features numerous live clips and video clips. Also has a few insightful interviews from Nick Cave and Phil Chevron, among others.

If you're a fan you'll find it somewhat insightul and very funny, and well worth watching.

HOWEVER

If you're not a fan of Shane, the Pogues or Irish music, it would be hard to recommend, which is why I gave it 9 instead of 10. Call it a nod to those who haven't discovered Shane yet.

I was so moved when I saw this film it brought me to tears. You see I am an alcoholic too, as is Shane. I saw this after having relapsed after seven years sobriety. I wept openly and still believe he is a genius inspite of his madness. Don't dwell on his interviews which he was incoherent. Listen to the words of the songs he has written and the way in which they were performed. You will see his genious too. In the mean time please pray for both of our recoveries.

There is a deleted scene on the DVD showing Shane MacGowan, the subject of this documentary, in a bar playing "Kitty", a love ballad from the first Pogues album. Out of the drunken stupor he has put himself into comes a glimmer of the genius this man once had. And then he finishes the song and returns to his drink.

MacGowan was the founding member and many would argue the driving force behind an Irish Folk/Punk band in the 1980's called The Pogues. They released several albums that are considered master works before it all fell to pieces due to Shane's heavy drinking. The film follows MacGowan around London and across the strait to Ireland as he prepares for a concert with his new band, The Popes. Along the way we hear the story of one of the punk generation's greatest song writers, told through interviews with MacGowan's parents, his wife, former band mates, and MacGowan himself. We also see archive footage and music videos interspersed thoughout. The difference between the Shane making the music he is known and loved for and the Shane of today mumbling drunkenly through songs is striking and sad. Its a great film, and I highly reccomend it, escpecially to parents trying to teach their kids about the dangers of addiction.

Ozzy Osbourne is funny apparently. Drug and alcohol abuse makes a great TV experience. With merchandising and exploitation aplenty. So where does that leave this beautiful, sensitive and destructive soul known as Shane MacGowan ? He too has immersed his existence in such a fervour of drug and alcohol abuse which has resulted in massive mental injury and speech afforded a stroke victim. So surely he's next on the list for voyeur giggles.....?

Thankfully, he transcended the tabloid exposure and has been afforded a portrait of his life and sadly none too unique lifestyle, in this haunting and evocative film.

Before witnessing this biopic, I was not a McGowan/Pogues disciple. I was always aware of his life and read the many articles of varying coverage and rented this film to assuage my own growing guilt of drug and alcohol abuse and I was keen to experience this man in regard to own demons.

Narcissism aside, this is a triumph of outsiders looking in. A very sad and beguiling tale of a man riddled with a crippling sensitivity that is exposed through a compilation of interviews with Shane, his partner, band members and admirers, including a very poignant and refreshingly honest Nick Cave including a tapestry of archived clips and footage that paint the picture of the present footing of Shane MacGowan.

Somehow the film, though mired in a dark and brutal avenue, succeeds in elevating Shane and his predicament to a place of inspiration without condoning or encouraging the waste on display.

A Beautiful Gift....

What an excellent individual to do a documentary over. For those that are not familiar with Shane MacGowan, he is the former leader of the Pogues and current solo musician (along with his band the Popes). MacGowan is respected throughout the world as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His ballads and energetic rock pieces are brilliant. His haunting voice is unforgettable. Of course, as this movie shows, all is not perfect with Shane. Shane is a hopeless alcoholic, in fact he was asked to leave the Pogues for that very reason. Moreover, his health and hygiene are not the best (to say the least). However, he continues to tour and make great music. Perhaps the alcohol is taking its toll on his body, but not his music. A hard living Irishman in the same vein of so many two-fisted Irish drinkers and poets. See and hear the legend of Shane.