Zappa
MAGNOLIALove him or loathe him, what the late Frank Zappa represented to many in-touch with his psychedelic rock and innovative prose is far beyond what should have been expected of him. His work is difficult to dissect, the cultural tones and pangs of rage festering deep underneath his track lists take far longer to disseminate and discuss than Zappa, the latest documentary from Alex Winter, has time for. But credit where it is undoubtedly due, Winter pulls up his bootstraps and troops on through to the wicked world of this creatively free mind’s craft.
With such a barrage of unique and never before seen documents on display, Winter’s documentary coasts along on the championing of this unearthed material. It forms the core of the message found burrowed away deep in Zappa. A documentary that wishes to grapple with such a large scope must tackle the few points it dares to mention, and Winter does so well. His ability to take the early days of Zappa and compare and contrast them with his final years of work is an integral benefit that the documentary relies on often. Regardless of subject matter or variety of content, to relay such strong and provoking messages with ease like this is the sign of a veteran; Winter has toiled away with lukewarm results in documentary filmmaking, but he hits his stride evidently well here.
Any successful documentary will show an amalgamation of found footage and talking heads, all alongside a crisp, clear narrative underlining the poignant moments of interest. Zappa offers that well, showcasing the professionalism expected by the musician, as former bandmates reflect on his persona. Unfortunately, the desire to praise removes the necessary need to criticise. The few pockets of negativity or criticism, the unpacking of his work or understanding of his psyche, is lost to those nostalgic few who were part of a clique. They talk around Zappa, rather than about him, and much is lost in the way of straightforward commentary.
Winter offers a strong understanding of Zappa as a person. A creative with much to offer, explaining the high points of such power is at the forefront of this director's vision. He captures it well; Zappa is an exceptional documentary detailing a pocket of influential time. He doesn’t hit the highs of detailing the genre, releases or musical work that Frank Zappa had to offer. To try and capture all this musician had to offer in one sweep would be an ill-fated venture, a bad trip that would do no favours to either director or the creative catalyst he looks to capture.
Supremely more experienced, and with the scent of Smosh: The Movie all but washed off of his career, Winter takes a bold step that furthers his career away from YouTube cannon fodder, to fully-fledged and formidable documentarian. A wise, wise move indeed.