Sam
Jones’ I am Trying to Break Your Heart is, simply put,
a masterpiece. Unashamedly simple, its fly-on-the-wall approach
recalls that of Pennebaker’s Don’t
Look Back and captures, as it unfolds, the most public of
battles between artist and executive, chronicling the recording,
rejection, resale and release of Wilco’s
fourth album, 2002’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
I
am Trying to Break Your Heart begins during the recording
sessions for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and succeeds in breaking
the viewer’s heart as one watches an optimistic band record
while pausing to sing the praises of their record label, Reprise,
for giving them a free hand in the execution of their album.
“They’ve given us $85,000 to record it,” laughs bandmember
Jay Bennett, “and they haven’t heard a word of it.” Moments
like this are the heart of the success of this film as the viewer
knows already where the story’s going, but the band and filmmaker
had no idea. We know it’s all going to fall apart – it’s just
a matter of time. That said, I am
Trying to Break Your Heart taken as a whole is far greater
than the sum of its parts. There are no exquisite epiphanies,
no shocking revelations, no high drama (even the discreetly
acrimonious departure of Jay Bennett is downright tame and civil
by rock and roll standards) – and there is no new documentary
innovation present – simply a moment captured and a story told,
albeit one fans already know – but director
Jones, and especially editor Erin Nordstrom, creating more “moving
pictures” than motion picture. Every frame, a warmly grainy,
comfortable black and white, evokes a gray Chicago
morning, the weary optimism of frontman
Jeff Tweedy, and the unassuming, austere, yet inconspicuous
intricacy of Wilco’s music.
I
am Trying to Break Your Heart will almost certainly appeal
to Wilco fans as band personalities are exposed, the recording
process is revealed, and those perfectly imperfect Wilco performances
are interspersed throughout it all. This reviewer’s only wish
was that some Reprise Records points of view were shared (one
would guess they probably declined comment). Bennett’s departure
is only briefly discussed after the fact, though the informed
viewer knew to expect it and could therefore pay special attention
to strained studio interactions between Bennett, Tweedy, and
other bandmembers. Non-fans may also
find the film of interest, especially if they come to the film
unaware of the story behind it. I am Trying to Break Your
Heart certainly has the potential to draw new fans as it
features some absolutely wonderful performances from the band
and touches on the humanness of this down-to-earth band. Never
posing as rock stars nor fleeing in the opposite direction as
unapproachable, enigmatic, hipper-than-thou slackers, Wilco,
and especially Tweedy, come across as the musicians down the
street; writing, playing and recording simply for the sake of
the song.
Certainly
the crown jewel in the Plexifilm catalog, I am Trying to Break Your Heart
is given lovely treatment on DVD. A two-disc set, the first
disc features the film with commentary from the director and
band as well as the original theatrical trailer. The second
disc is a treasure trove for fans, with over an hour of extra
footage and 17 additional Wilco songs as well as alternate Yankee
Hotel Foxtrot tracks, live performances, and entirely new, unreleased
material. A making-of featurette is
also included. Finally, the handsomely packaged product is complete
with a 40-page filmmaker’s diary with plenty of photos and notes
by Rolling Stone senior editor, David Fricke. I am Trying
to Break Your Heart is not only a satisfying release for
the Wilco fan, it’s one of the few great rock and roll movies
ever made, certainly ranking with Don’t Look Back, Sympathy
for the Devil, and Let it Be.
Mark
A. Nichols
williejoeshaver@yahoo.com
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