JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE
UK/US, 2013, 118 minutes, Colour.
Andre Benjamin, Hayley Atwell, Imogen Poots, Ruth Negga, Andrew Buckley, Adrian Lester, Oliver Bennett, Tom Dunlea.
Directed by John Ridley.
Jimi Hendrix was well-known in the 1960s and in succeeding decades. This film shows a short period in his life, the mid 1960s. He had moved from the United States to Britain, was caught up in the atmosphere of the swinging 60s in London, playing in some small venues, discovered, getting an agent, forming a trio, performances, moving to success with the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Andre Benjamin portrays Jimi Hendrix and was praised by critics for his performance and communicating the spirit of the subject. ImogenPoots? is Linda, from a wealthy background, the girlfriend of the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, taking an interest in Hendrix, promoting him, finding a manager. However, she found a rival in Jimi Hendrix’s affections in Kathy, Hayley Atwell, from a different class, a different style of person, who is able to relate to Hendrix – although, commentators note that she said there was never any violence towards her though it is dramatised in this film. The other female interest in his life is ida, portrayed by Ruth Negga who introduces him to ideas of Black Power so prevalent at the time, embodied in the UK in the person of Michael X, played by Adrian Lester.
The film is of more interest to music fans and those who want to know more about the personality, the talent and the career of Jimi Hendrix.
1. Jimi Hendrix, his talent, music, career, reputation, death?
2. Audience knowledge of him, appreciation, music and performance? The film not having permission to reproduce his music as such? Relying on suggestions and evocations?
3. Biography, portrait, fictional aspects, playing with the facts, especially as regards to his violence towards Kathy? His relationships? The value having a drama for incorporating fictional aspects as truth?
4. The visual style, the period, the mid 1960s, the UK, the US, costumes, decor, the visualising of various popular celebrities?
5. The music, instruments, performance?
6. Jimi, his background, US, life, music talent, plane, the ensembles, solo, guitar skills, the venues, the various introductions, performance, responsive audiences, the trio, the touch of laziness, agents, publicity, tours, the Monterey Festival? The Jimmy Hendrix Experience?
7. Linda, her relationship with Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones, British, the affluent family background, a family and a groupie? Listening to Jimi, her interest, support, discussions, offering opportunities, promotion? Losing out in his interest to Kathy? The relationship with the Stones? Arranging the manager, his handling the situation, coping or not?
8. Kathy, in herself, her lifestyle, different class, the contrast with Linda, the relationship, sex, love, the company and Jimi, the range of friends, the entourage, his touches of jealousy, their attitude towards Linda? Jimi and his violent attack on her?
9. Ida, Jimmy and his fascination, the issues of Black Power, his rejecting the ideas? His visit to Michael X, the discussions, the consequences?
10. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, preparation, the booking for Monterey? On the verge of success?
11. Jimi Hendrix later career, music, instruments? The end?
