a-ha: The Movie

This is a good documentary about my favourite band growing up on the 80's. I still contend that Scoundrel Days is one of three perfect albums ever made. The other two being Joshua Kadison's Painted Desert Serenade and U2's Joshua Tree.

It was sad though to see the ongoing strife and resentment between the band members. At times the constant bickering seemed childish, but like a family does, they seem to get together again. Therefore, great and sad feelings were experienced watching it. I suppose life never really presents the fairy tales we were told as kids.

A-ha: The Movie could have easily devolved into a tabloid-esque expose on the strife and egos of a band that has been in the limelight for more than 35 years. It never goes there. Yes, there is some strife, some disagreements, some resentment, but it's never the focus of the movie. Instead, it becomes a sympathetic psychological treatise on the effects of chronic fame on three individuals, a view unsullied by the usual tropes of debauchery and substance abuse. The result isn't a sudden implosion but a steadily dripping tap, slowly eroding the creative drive. The effects interfere with the physical health, the need to retain creative control, and the ability to find sanctuary in a sea of noise - a world full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Some of the stories are well-known, the stuff of legend among fans; some are less so, culminating in an extremely vulnerable moment shared (and for that, I thank him), painful to watch and obviously excruciating to experience. The movie ends not as a coda, but with an ellipsis, leaving open what may come, never attempting to speculate beyond asking each member the time-worn question: "Will there be another new album?"

• Sincerely, an a-ha fan in the U. S. since 1985.

This felt like a very personal movie to me, but left me almost as melancholy as their supposed breakup(s).

Before reviewing the film, I want to give some context about the A-Ha and my feelings about them.

CONTEXT A-Ha has been my favourite group since I was a kid. As with any fan, my favourite songs aren't the ones they released, but the hidden gems that later became more common on their playlists: Living A Boys Adventure Tale, Here I Stand And Face The Rain, Cold As Stone, Locust, There's Never A Forever Thing, Sycamore Leaves, Lifelines, Sunny Mystery, Minor Earth Major Sky.

Albeit, at this point, Morten can't sing some of those songs live like he once could, which about sums up my feelings on this film. It leaves you melancholy that you're watching a group that is now a shadow of their former selves.

A-Ha, for me, is a somewhat of a tragedy of a band (like the Verve):

They've written some of my favourite music, much of it never heard by the general public, so they're always judged on the more popular chart stuff (as is my choice in bands). They have constantly messed up their careers as a group and individually, so the media keeps thinking that they're making comebacks with every album release - even though they've only broken up twice.

They're judged as a boy band because of the attention that Morten (still) attracts from his female fans. But, personally, I feel that the songs should mean as much to men, if not more so.

They're three guys that have the most bizarre relationship and personalities. They're like family members that you love, but find so fricking frustrating! Three grown men that STILL can't see each other's perspectives, yet can write such beautiful music about life and woes!

"Sort your problems out, guys!"

I wonder if even Norwegian people understand the logic of their personalities?!!!

They've broken up twice. Once back in 1993 when they disappeared without telling their fans anything. It was like not knowing if a lost relative was alive or dead. Thanks guys. Yet, as the movie shows, they had plenty of information that they could have shared with fans.

Then, they 'broke up for good' in 2010. I was incredibly sad when this happened, but at least I knew it was coming and could learn to live with it. In some way it did kind of end on a high note.

Then they got back together again...

I asked myself, why?! Yes, some of their new music is good, but there is something missing now.

I did NOT enjoy the acoustic MTV Unplugged tour.

I actually preferred Morten's solo album (Brother) to a new A-Ha album. While I've (mostly) liked his solo albums - they aren't as good as his A-Ha work; at least not until now.

The current world tour seems utterly pointless and soul sucking! They haven't released a studio album since 2015. Their tours now are like those old 80s bands that have been touring since then with no new music. It's sad. They are a shadow of their former selves, especially Morten (although I love his Brother album!) - hence the need to play the album songs over Morten's live performances in the film.

THE FILM In many ways, the film really shouldn't exist. Yes, as a fan, I have this morbid curiosity to 'see' my favourite group behind the scenes and from the past. I put 'see' in quotes, because how well can you really see A-Ha. They are such complex individuals who reveal little to nothing about themselves, but just give you a taster of something.

I thought, wow, you have all of these cool videos and photos going back to the Hunting High And Low album - and you never released them to fans until now?! Why not?

But, it's watching their passive aggressive in-direct bickering to the camera, while pretending to be nice to each other. Why do they bother getting together if they feel that way about each other? If they secretly feel some kinship, then say so. But, otherwise, it comes across as if they are using each other for their own ends - there is nothing admirable about that and I don't want to see it. Magne looked in so much sadness and bitterness, which was uncomfortable to watch, because you then see him performing with them. Magne, why bother if this how you feel?

The impression is similar in how I think they feel about their fans. It's a love/hate relationship (sorry ladies, but you dream all you want about Morten, but he doesn't give a rats ass about you). You can see how they need to feel periodically recognised and relevant, but can't wait to escape into their Mercedes Maybach cars and drive away from them at top speed. They cringe whenever they receive any praise - only caring about how much praise they each get and feeling bitter about the inequality of it. I understand this, but who's fault is it that Morten gets the most attention and Magne gets the least?

Ultimately, given what I mentioned earlier about the lack of new material since 2015 and the previous 'permanent breakup' in 2010, I'm wondering what is the point of this film. They clearly have no plans to make any new songs - yet the film dangles the possibility to torment the viewing fans. Magne has made his lack of intentions very clear both for serious health reasons and because of bitterness over songwriting credits. Morten and Pal are too pigheaded to concede their own responsibility for anything, even though they both have the most influence over the band. It would be self serving of them to actually give a shit about each other. It provides us with little more information than was provided in the book about them (A-Ha The Swing of Things 1985-2010).

So, that leaves the band out there doing world tours for no reason.

Overall, I watched the movie with curiosity. I enjoyed the unreleased behind-the-scenes film footage and photos from the past, but the film left me feeling melancholy at watching a squabbling group of 60 year olds that still can't sort their problems out.

I'm not nostalgic, but I enjoyed this.

I think it was frank and for those with any appreciation for the band's work, provided a context for their major releases.

My only criticism, understandable for a band going so long, would be that the transition from album to album was fast, without much insight into where the albums fit into their history.

If you love the songs, the commentary from the group makes a difference. If you come to this without any previous knowledge of a-ha, much of this will likely fly over your head.

A-ha are the most frustrating band ever. I think many fans believe they are less than the sum of their parts and wait for an album that really shows what they are and can be. "Scoundrel Days" comes closest for me. But a-ha seemingly can start a fight in an empty room. And, alas, let time slip through their fingers and so continue to interact like strangers meeting for the first time.

If you're a fan, like me, you probably hope for a series to properly explore the workings and history in depth. But if you're not, I'd suggest keeping your expectations low unless anthropology is your thing.

The major lesson for me is that this is a love-hate relationship band if ever there was one, and in their never-ending fight for identity with one another, they allowed their individuality to become lost, ironically, despite having one of the most distinctive sounds of the time.

Morten Harket, Pål Waaktaar, and Magne Furuholmen are still performing. The Norwegian trio has been a-ha on and off for four decades. Their song was everywhere for a good second. More importantly, there was that music video. For a few months, they were one of the biggest bands in the world. After their catchy follow-up song, I really didn't follow them too closely. They would show up here and there. Their new songs never caught my ear. Nevertheless, it's great to relive the 80's.

I always thought that they were just a Norwegian boy band which couldn't break the language barrier despite speaking functional English. Like most people, there is deeper waters here. One thing I didn't know is the friction within the band and some of their dissatisfactions. I understand their need for artistic fulfillment. The fact that they are still making new music is a testament to that. This documentary allows for a bit of nostalgic remembrance but also reveals something more about the band.