I often wonder why artists of brilliance, be they in music, writing, painters, etc, seem to have such tortured, troubled short lives. In music we have seen many from, Robert Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Janis Joplin, and hundreds of others. It is if they really do make some pack with some force for the great fleeting moment of brilliance or as Blaze Foley's estranged wife says at the end of the movie, "Well you became a legend."
We can include Blaze Foley in this group too. A small number of recordings, but a treasure trove of songs that have been praised by other singer/songwriters, many of whom are in or destined to be in the Hall of Fame.
Ethan Hawke has made poignant, beautiful movie of this country legend that many of have never heard of, but have heard his songs. Hawke's movie moves slowly, taking in details of the era and of Blaze Foley's life. Bringing us into Foley's world as he falls in love and falls slowly into madness fuled by alcohol, drugs, his past and his disjointed view of the dishonesty of the world around him. Hawke wisely lets Foley's songs guide the story and his lyrics act as the chorus to the script. Charley Sexton is terrific as the troubled Townes Van Zant, who acts as a guide that directs us to the small and large moments of Blaze Folye's Life.
Hawke has taken his time, gathered a group of fine, focused actors and used the geography of Foley's world to craft one of the best music movies to come along in a long, long time. He obviously has a deep emotional tie to the subject matter and it shows but he does not shy away from the darkness that always hovered over his subject like a thunderstorm ready to burst. Highly recommended!
